Overview

Appointed in 2023, Hollie’s role as Lecturer in Applied Entrepreneurship is to support students as they learn the practical dimensions of various models of Entrepreneurship, including how to effectively use models of start-up, acceleration and incubation.

Based in Penryn, Hollie manages the With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship pathway of study across all disciplines, focused on designing and delivering workshops with flipped-classroom learning opportunities and applying contemporary practices in Entrepreneurship.

Hollie is a trained facilitator of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method , which she regularly uses to engage with businesses and students in learning. She is demonstrating a commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience through the Academic Practice (PCAP) Apprenticeship.

As part of the wider Business Team Hollie manages relationships with an extensive network of regional SMEs, that she has built up over more than 10 years of regional innovation projects and European growth funding. Retaining and levering industrial relationships to help colleagues build impactful research projects and secure mutually beneficial partnerships for The Business School.

Qualifications

BA Geography – University of Exeter

Career

Awards and honours

Completed Aurora Programme - Advance HE's leadership development initiative for women

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Research

Research interests

Innovation in the Wild - developing outside networking opportunities for businesses to connect with each other in a different environment.

Spark new ideas in your business | Innovation In The Wild

Circular Textiles - repurposing waste in a local supply chain in Cornwall.

About US, Innovative, sustainable approach to clothing | Circular Textiles

Expanded:

Innovation in The Wilds – Good Growth Hub Business Support (Sept 2023 to Dec 2024)

Working with Prof Allen Alexander, Hollie and Allen will deliver 18 months of bespoke workshops taking businesses in the outside environment to help develop new ideas, products, and processes.
The Innovation in the Wild element of delivery has been identified with academic research and business feedback as an effective tool to stimulate innovation.

Innovate UK - Reimagining the Design Process - Closing the Loop on the Fashion and Textiles Industry (July 2023 to Jan 2024)

Working with TeX Innovation, to create innovative solutions that tackle textile off-cut waste in fashion by transforming design processes and embracing circular economy principles. Hollie leds on stakeholder engagement refines ideas to meet real-world needs, and assesses environmental and social impacts. Hollie also supports the team to identify scalable solutions and plans ensure commercialization.

Research projects

Innovation Caucus Thought Leadership Project ‘Future of Innovation: Design; Social Capital; Green Growth’ (Aug 2022 - Dec 2022)

This study takes up the call for further research by considering how social innovation in a specific regional context and a particular industry (namely fashion and textiles) can support progress toward a circular economy. The fashion and textile industry is an area of strategic national importance to the national economy as a key input to multiple commercial sectors, value chains and products. It is a sector that presents an opportunity to transform and deliver substantially better economic, societal, and environmental outcomes. It is hoped that this research will help to further consider how placed-based approaches can be implemented across other regions to enable local businesses and communities to thrive. This study is intended to provide new insights to inform further work, shape industrial strategy and influence future regional and national policy and practice, whilst aiming to identify and analyse innovation-led growth.

EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account - Circular Textiles (May 2022 - Jul 2022)

Working in partnership with Cultivate Communities and UpCycle Kernow on a combined vision to serve the needs of the local community (and projects), education providers, independent crafters, fashion brands, manufacturing companies, industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders from to explore innovations and practices in circular textiles.

TeX Innovation Big Lottery Fund (Jan 2022 - Jan 2023)

TeX Innovation started as a group of crafters making patchwork hats to combat social isolation, quickly gaining momentum to gain the support of key stakeholders in the region who see value in the project. The project has evolved to work in collaboration with a number of partners, combining resources to minimise duplicated effort, with greater impact. This funding  provides well-needed resources to invest in our community and extend our impact to the wider society. Since the launch in 2017, we have learned how to further engage our community and have applied this to our collaborative work in setting up a studio, which has helped us to establish a team of passionate doers and volunteers committed to the project's vision. The univeristy provides access to renowned research and academic expertise. Their time is made available to support the project and the project team in achieving their vision.

ESF Accelerating Circular Skills for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly (ARCA) (Mar 2021 - Dec 2023)

Led by the University of Exeter Business School, working in partnership with Truro & Penwith College, Arca supports businesses to transition to the circular economy. Workshops and training programmes are aimed at SMEs in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Combining the latest business research with the hands-on experience of local entrepreneurs to deliver practical and engaging training programmes. The project is part-funded through the European Social Fund (part of the European Strategic Investment Framework for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly).

ERDF Future Focus 2 (Mar 2020 - Jun 2023)

The University of Exeter and Unlocking Potential have joined forces to deliver Future Focus. The ERDF funded programme for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly with fresh ideas, new thinking and inspirational people combined to enable established businesses to identify opportunities, trends and threats. As part of this programme, the University of Exeter aims to help Cornish businesses explore the relationship between business and the environment, to move to a more environmentally sensitive, ethically responsible and circular way of running business.

Through the programme, provides learning on how a business can change it’s impact for the better through academic lead workshops; engaging events on sustainability, the environment, net zero and circular economy; funded research and development unique to each business and one-to-one support plus grants, jobs support and more.

Conferences

Cherrington R, Kirk H, Farrow D (2023). Towards a Circular Economy: Insights from a UK Rural Community. XXXIV ISPIM Innovation Conference. 4th - 7th Jun 2023.

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Teaching

Hollie leads on the With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship Pathway in Penryn, working closely with colleagues in Streatham on innovative playful delivery methods and teaching practices.

BEP1034 – Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

BEP1039 - Impactful Innovation and Entrepreneurship

BEP3061 - Managing Entrepreneurially

BEPM001 – Dissertation Module – MSc Sustainable Business Management: Environment

Mentor on BEP3172 - Future 17 programme

Supporting the Field trip BEP3090  to Scotland in 2024.

Modules

2023/24

• BEP1034 - Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• BEP1039 - Impactful Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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