Athalia Dangerfield
Programme Leader for MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Athalia is a Lecturer in the Management department at the University of Chester Business School. Before starting her journey with the University of Chester, she completed her Masters’ degree at Lancaster University in non-for-profit organisational management. Athalia has been involved in the social enterprise sector, which developed her passion for social change through entrepreneurship. In 2018 she co-founded a social enterprise called A Mind to Thrive, from taking on this role, she gained a keen interest in the entrepreneurial journey for social and sustainable entrepreneurs. She has also been a Board member of various charitable organisations, including one of the UK’s leading enterprise education charities, Young Enterprise. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Chester Business School, and her doctoral research is focused on gaining an understanding on the impact of social entrepreneurship education and how effectively this prepares entrepreneurs to form and grow businesses driven by a social mission.
In her role as a Lecturer in the Management department, she is involved in teaching in multiple areas including leadership, managing change, social innovation, and enterprise. She has organised and facilitated workshops led by industry professionals, providing students with invaluable insights into real-world business practices and trends. These sessions not only enhance the learning in the classroom, but also enable students to network with experts and gain a deeper understanding of the business landscape. She is active in supporting student entrepreneurs through the entrepreneurship placement pathway. Her contributions also involve designing engaging induction activities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students to introduce them to the academic environment as well as the resources and opportunities available within the Business School.
Athalia’s teaching has a particular focus on postgraduate education in the Business School, she has significantly contributed to nurturing future innovators and leaders in the field of health and social care, as well as in broader business and management disciplines.
She is currently a module leader for two pivotal Level 7 modules on the MSc Health Services Management programme, including Innovation in Health and Social Care and Leadership, Development, and Change. These modules are designed to equip students with critical skills to become effective innovators and leaders of change. Within these modules, Athalia implements a range of innovative teaching methods that emphasise self-reflection and authentic assessments. Through these methods, students are encouraged to critically evaluate their own leadership styles and innovation capabilities, fostering a deeper understanding of their personal development pathways and the impact they can have in their professional environments. She also supports student development by providing opportunities for real-world application of theoretical concepts. This hands-on approach helps students to internalise lessons learned and apply them in practical settings, significantly enhancing their readiness for the challenges of a complex business environment.
She is also responsible for supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, guiding students through the process of conducting original research. Her mentorship enables students to explore complex topics within business and management, contributing to their academic and professional growth.
From her experience of working within the social enterprise sector, Athalia developed profound interest in the evolving fields of social entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship education. With a focus on creating sustainable solutions to societal challenges, her research explores the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Her doctoral research contributes to understanding how social entrepreneurship can be effectively taught and implemented to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs dedicated to social change. This research explores the underlying theories that define and shape social entrepreneurship. This includes examining the motivations, decision making processes, and intentions of social entrepreneurs. Moreover, through this research, Athalia hopes to develop and evaluate educational frameworks and curricula that equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue social entrepreneurship.
This work not only advances theoretical knowledge but also provides practical insights for educators, policymakers, and practitioners. By advocating for a comprehensive approach to social entrepreneurship education, this research will help prepare future leaders who are capable of addressing complex social issues with innovative and sustainable solutions.