Samuel Mwaura

Samuel Mwaura is a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Edinburgh Business School, where he also serves as Programme Lead for the MA (Hons) Business with Enterprise and Innovation. He holds the position of National Co-Lead for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (Scotland). His work bridges academic research with policy impact, focusing on inclusive economic development.

Mwaura's research examines:

• Barriers faced by ethnic minorities and women in entrepreneurship
• Multi-level analysis of firm performance drivers
• Entrepreneurial finance accessibility
• Policy evaluation in developing economies

He employs mixed methodologies including large-scale surveys, GIS mapping, and qualitative interviews to address complex socioeconomic questions.

His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on gender equity in business, SME support systems, and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. These works highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining econometrics, policy analysis, and social justice frameworks.

Mwaura leads two major initiatives:

• Minoritised Enterprise Policy and Action Lab Scotland (MEPALS): A collaborative platform addressing systemic barriers in entrepreneurship
• Local Business Demographics Project: Investigating links between community enterprises and household economics

He actively engages policymakers through hackathons, government roundtables (e.g., Scottish Government Tax Strategy), and media appearances disseminating research insights.