EntreBRAINeur Project

Funders: DEL, Invest NI

Led by Dr John Kelly of Fingerprint Learning and Dr Brian Cummins of Stranmillis University College, EntreBRAINeur is a groundbreaking project funded by Invest NI and The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) to investigate if any pattern of learning preference exists amongst Northern Ireland entrepreneurs. The rationale behind the study was that while the matching of the learning environment to an individual’s learning preferences has generated popular appeal within all sectors of education, this has not been considered in relation to entrepreneurial learning. If it is accepted that one objective of formal educational provision is to foster entrepreneurship, then it follows that there is value in exploring the learning preferences of successful entrepreneurs to establish if the traditional system of education promotes or hinders entrepreneurial skills and capabilities – and if so, what we should do about it.

The researchers based their analysis on an investigation of ‘Right and Left Brain Learning preferences’ and ‘Mental Styles’ amongst a sample of 55 Northern Ireland entrepreneurs. The findings of the initial pilot study (downloadable below) suggest that in order to establish an enterprise culture in Northern Ireland, ‘Right Brained Dominance’ must be valued as the spark for entrepreneurship, supported by those who can ensure that the crucial details are in place, i.e. those who display ‘Left Brained Dominance’.

By linking learning preferences to entrepreneurship, this research goes some way to helping us not only to understand what forms the catalyst for entrepreneurship but, crucially, what education can do to support potential and existing entrepreneurs.

Contact

Dr Brian Cummins
Email: b.cummins@stran.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)28 9038 4512

Download 

EntreBRAINeur Short Report
EntreBRAINeur Full Report