Six years ago, I found my tribe. It started as a small group, just seven of us, bound by a shared desire to understand the impact of enterprise and entrepreneurship education (EEE). The Impact Research Group was made possible by an Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK) Impact Grant, to explore personal self-assessment tools for EEE competencies. However, what began as a research project quickly became something more: a thriving community of scholars, practitioners, and educators all dedicated to understanding and shaping the future of EEE.

Today, we are 60 strong, spanning 5 countries. We have collaborated, debated, laughed, and grown together. We have produced impactful research and, most importantly, supported one another in our lives and careers. This journey has reaffirmed something I deeply believe in, the importance of finding and nurturing your tribe and how important this is for growth, not just professionally, but personally.

Why Finding Your Tribe Matters

Enterprise education is, by nature, interdisciplinary and dynamic. It requires a mix of skills, perspectives, and experiences that no single person can master alone. Having a strong tribe provides:

• Collaboration and Innovation: The best ideas emerge when diverse minds come together. Our group has expanded research in ways none of us could have achieved alone.
• Support and Motivation: Research (and education) can be isolating. Your tribe lifts you when imposter syndrome creeps in, celebrates your wins, and challenges you to push further.
• Opportunities and Growth: From joint publications to events and conferences, our group has helped to find opportunities for members to learn and develop together.
• Belonging and Purpose: There’s something powerful about being part of a group that shares your passions. It gives meaning to the work and makes the journey more enjoyable.

How to Build Your Tribe in Enterprise Education

If you’re looking to find or build your own research or professional community, here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way:

• Start Small, Dream Big: The Impact Research Group began with seven people and a shared research focus. We didn’t anticipate growing to 60 members across the globe, but we stayed open to opportunities and invited like-minded individuals to join us.
• Seek Out the Curious and Passionate: The best collaborations come from those who are genuinely interested in the field. Find people who ask big questions, who challenge existing thinking, and who bring enthusiasm to the table.
• Leverage Existing Networks: Whether through EEUK, conferences, or social media, use existing communities to connect with others who share your interests. Often, your future tribe members are already in adjacent spaces, reach out to them!
• Create Opportunities for Engagement: Tribes don’t form by accident. Schedule regular meetings, collaborate on projects, host informal discussions, and share resources. Connection grows through shared experiences.
• Be Generous and Supportive: Give more than you take. Celebrate others’ successes, offer feedback, and be the kind of collaborator you’d want to work with. A strong tribe thrives on mutual support.
• Embrace Growth and Change: Our group looks very different from when we started. New members bring fresh ideas, and the scope of our work has evolved. Be open to where the journey takes you.

Finding your tribe in enterprise education, or any field, is about more than networking. It’s about building relationships that inspire, challenge, and sustain you.

I am endlessly grateful for the people I’ve met through the Impact Research Group. They have shaped my thinking, expanded my opportunities, and, more than anything, made my work deeply fulfilling. If you haven’t found your tribe yet, keep looking. And if you have, invest in it, it will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do!

Dr Matt Rogers-Draycott
Associate Professor in Innovation Management, Birmingham City University
EEUK Director