Simon Stephens

Simon Stephens is a Senior Lecturer in Small Business Economics at the Department of Small Business Economics, Institute of Technology Donegal. He serves as a Principal Investigator at the Design, Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship Innovation Academy (DICE). His roles include academic responsibilities in the Office of Registrar and Academic Affairs. Stephens holds an ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0322-0888.

Research Interests: Stephens focuses on entrepreneurship, family business dynamics, small business economics, and higher education leadership. His work explores topics such as entrepreneurial retirement transitions, sustainability in family businesses, and the role of digital spaces in entrepreneurial storytelling. He also examines challenges in educational systems, including peer observation frameworks and gamification in learning.

Publications: With 50+ publications since 2005, Stephens' recent work includes studies on entrepreneurial ecosystems, business incubation efficacy, and responses to crises like the pandemic. His research often combines empirical case studies with theoretical frameworks, emphasizing practical applications in policy and education.

Awards & Recognition: While no specific awards are listed, his extensive citation record (518 citations, h-index 14) reflects significant scholarly impact. His work on family business sustainability and entrepreneurial storytelling has garnered particular attention, with some articles having over 200 Mendeley readers.

Grants & Collaboration: Stephens collaborates internationally on projects related to entrepreneurship and education. His research network includes institutions across Ireland and Europe, focusing on innovation academies and policy development in higher education.

Labs/Teams: As part of the DICE Innovation Academy, he contributes to initiatives promoting design thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship education. His work integrates academic research with practical business incubation programs.