Alexandra David

Dr. Alexandra David is a Researcher at the Institute for Work and Technology, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, where she has been working since 2006. She focuses on the research area of Innovation, Space & Culture (INNO), with particular emphasis on migration, diversity, and entrepreneurship. As a founding member of the think tank "Wirtschaftsdialog NRW - Competence Center for Multicultural and Migrant Entrepreneurship" since 2022, she contributes to policy discussions on migrant entrepreneurship in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dr. David earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Twente, with a dissertation titled "Human Capital and the Role of Networks – Migration, Inclusion and New Qualification for a Sustainable Regional Economy." She also holds postgraduate studies in business administration from FernUniversität Hagen and a degree in communication science from the University of Duisburg-Essen.

Her research interests span migration studies, entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, human capital development, and regional economics. She specializes in minority entrepreneurship, focusing on empowering people with migration backgrounds and women entrepreneurs. Her work examines how migrant entrepreneurs navigate formal and informal business activities, the impact of crises like the pandemic and Brexit on migrant businesses, and the regional potential of migrant economies. She takes an intersectional approach that considers gender, migration status, and other factors in entrepreneurial experiences.

Dr. David has been instrumental in several significant research projects including "Transformational Entrepreneurship Hubs for Recognized Refugee Re-starters" (Enter to Transform, 2020-2023), "Resilience of Migrant Businesses during the COVID-19 Crisis" (ReCOVery, 2020-2021), and "Operationalization of Power Relations in Neighborhoods using the Example of Migrant Businesses" (OPeRate, 2021-2021). These projects have generated valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners.

• Reviewer for: Globalizations, Glocalism - Journal of culture, politics and innovation, ZFW - Advances in Economic Geography, Voluntas - International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, Thunderbird International Business Review, Raumforschung und Raumordnung
• Member of: Society for Intercultural Philosophy eV (GIP), Essen Communication Science Network (NEK), Refugee Research Network
• Participant in: Ecosystem Accelerator Migrant Entrepreneurship & Employment Cluster of Hello Europe Initiative by Ashoka

Her research has practical applications through policy recommendations and participation in initiatives designed to support migrant entrepreneurs and create more inclusive business ecosystems in Germany and Europe.