“As a junior scholar from the Middle East with a research focus on women entrepreneurs in the MENA region, my journey with the MENGEN mentoring for publication program, generously sponsored by BABSON, has been crucial for my academic development.  I was fortunate to be assigned with Prof. Natalia Vershinina as my mentor. Her mentorship was not just an exercise in academic rigor but a nurturing process that honed my thoughts and ideas into a coherent and impactful narrative. Under her mentorship, I achieved a significant milestone: a single-authored publication titled: “Women Entrepreneurs in the Gulf States: Taking Stock and Moving Forward” in the prestigious ‘Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal’. This paper, now listed under a new category, ‘THE BOLD TYPE: JUNIOR SCHOLARS’ INITIATIVE’, is a testament to the program’s commitment to empowering emerging voices in academia. This journey with MENAGEN, under Professor Vershinina’s mentorship, has been more than educational; it has been an empowering experience that has allowed me to maintain and amplify my voice as a young scholar. The success of this experience is not just a personal achievement but an example of the potential that dedicated mentorship and structured guidance can contribute to the field of entrepreneurship research. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity, which has not only supported my academic growth but also underscored the importance of inclusive and supportive environments in nurturing the next generation of scholars.”

–  Sumaya Hashim

“I consider myself fortunate to have had Dr Hayfa Tlaiss as my mentor during the development of my paper, which has now been successfully published in a prestigious journal. The paper focused on women’s digital entrepreneurship in the context of Palestine. Hence, Dr Tlaiss brought a wealth of experience in researching women’s entrepreneurship in the Arab world, particularly within politically unstable contexts. Our regular meetings proved instrumental in refining the paper and preparing it for submission to the Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal. Dr Tlaiss offered invaluable insights, guiding me through the intricacies of the research process and elevating the quality of the paper. Recognising her significant contributions, I extended an invitation for her to co-author the paper with me, a collaboration that added depth and expertise to the final publication. The citation for the paper is provided below for your reference. I am currently engaged in discussions with Dr Tlaiss to embark on additional research projects, and I look forward to furthering our collaboration in the realm of women’s entrepreneurship.”

Althalathini, D. and Tlaiss, H. (2023). Of resistance to patriarchy and occupation through a virtual bazaar: An Institutional Theory Critique of the Emancipatory Potential of Palestinian Women’s Digital Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2023.2241412.

– Doa’a Althalathini 

“MPP – Renewable Energy for Brightening the Light We Carry”

“As a PhD student, I entered the MENAGEN Mentorship Programme (MPP 2022-2023) as someone who chose to go against the grain of a typical Mentee without any fear of consequences. However, the intentional thrust of the MPP bolstered my belief to march through the challenges of being at the start of the of data collection phase and to face the fears (real and imaginary) of being inexperienced as an Early Career Researcher. Although the imposter syndrome has never been a concern for me, the MPP has taught me to marry my capacity and capability with experienced guidance and support that was instrumental to navigate and grow in my research development. The mere fact that I was accepted in the Programme was an achievement for me. I worked closely with my assigned mentors and thanks to the inclusive approach of MENAGEN, my biggest achievement in the MPP is the preparation of a Full Paper entitled “Fostering Female Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean: Transformative Prospects through Digital Technologies.” This paper was accepted and was presented at the 2023 ISBE conference and ultimately was awarded the Best Paper in the Technology Entrepreneurship track. Indeed, this was a pleasant surprise! More importantly, this is a major impetus to refine the paper for publication in a suitable journal such as IJBER. Additionally, the experience gained, and the various interactions at the ISBE Conference are seen as “lightening rods” towards reframing the paper to focus specifically on the resilience of female entrepreneurship for presentation at the 2024 BCERC and Doctoral Consortium and ultimately for publication in a relevant academic journal such as FER.
All in all, as a third year PGR Student, the more I reflect on my experience, the more I realise that the MPP has resulted in some unintended yet, welcomed achievements such as the broadening of my academic network and providing opportunities to better understand obscure cultural realities in the MENA region, as well as facilitating access to non-traditional information that are useful to expand one’s perspective in the field of entrepreneurship. These are deemed priceless in enhancing my interest to contribute towards advancing the field of entrepreneurship through “meaningful heterodoxies.
In the end, being an atypical Mentee is a spirited complement that I hope will continue to brighten the path towards the aforementioned planned journal publications and much more.”

– Beverly Best

“My research journey in research and entrepreneurship actually started with grassroots engagement—volunteering and working closely with marginalised women in Egypt. This hands-on experience shaped my research direction and deepened my commitment to understanding the realities of women entrepreneurs in these communities.

I see them as true entrepreneurs—not the mainstream Forbes narratives, but those who build businesses despite immense challenges. My focus is on exploring various ways to support them, whether through digital tools, policy advocacy, or alternative models that recognise their resilience and agency. As an academic, I strive to challenge dominant narratives and push for approaches that acknowledge and elevate these women’s realities rather than imposing top-down solutions. I integrate these insights into my teaching and research, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice as much as possible. My goal is to contribute to policies and initiatives that truly support underserved women entrepreneurs in marginalised communities rather than perpetuate tokenism or dependency.

Being part of the MENAGEN network has been invaluable—not just professionally, but personally. The academic world can often feel challenging and competitive, and imposter syndrome is a very real experience. But through MENAGEN, I found my place, my tribe, my community. From the moment I joined, I was welcomed by the founding team and a network of junior and senior scholars who are not only brilliant researchers but also kind, supportive, and genuinely invested in each other’s success. Their encouragement and mentorship reassured me that my work mattered and that I belonged in this space.

Winning the Best Paper Award in the Women/Gender Track at the first IERC conference was a deeply personal milestone. It validated years of work that began with my grassroots engagement with marginalised women entrepreneurs. My research is not just an academic pursuit—it is deeply intertwined with the lived experiences, struggles, and resilience of the women I have worked with and learned from. This recognition felt like an acknowledgment of their stories, voices, and the alternative entrepreneurial narratives that often go unheard in mainstream discourse. I can’t wait to go back to the women and celebrate with them the award. It was also significant because, like many early-career researchers, I have navigated moments of doubt and imposter syndrome in academia. To have my work recognised at a conference dedicated to entrepreneurship reinforced that my research has potential impact and belongs in these critical discussions.

It wasn’t just about winning an award; it was about the encouragement to keep going and pushing for change. The journey began with the ISBE RAKE award, which allowed me to gather the data and explore research that is close to my heart. MENAGEN then helped me take it further, offering invaluable mentorship and support as I work toward publication. Through the mentorship program, I now have the opportunity to publish this work alongside highly respected scholars—people I once saw as distant figures but who, through MENAGEN, became approachable mentors and collaborators.

This network has provided me with not only academic support but also friendships, meaningful conversations, and a space where I feel seen and heard. MENAGEN has opened doors I never thought possible and has motivated me to continue my research, challenge dominant narratives, and contribute to meaningful change in our field.”

– Christine Samy