Dr HELEN ECCLESTON

Dr Helen Eccleston joined Edge Hill University in September 2020 as a Lecturer in Business and Management. Previously, she held academic posts at the University of Central Lancashire as an Associate Lecturer and as a PhD Candidate in the field of SME Strategy. Prior to commencing her academic career, Helen worked in management roles within the private sector, principally related to people development and management.

Helen is a dedicated researcher whose interests lie in the domain of strategizing within family-owned Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). In her PhD research project, Helen considered how strategy emerges within SMEs, its specific dynamics and intricacies, to understand how a coherent and consistent pattern in the absence of deliberate intention can consequently become strategy.

Building upon the findings of her doctoral research, Helen's current research endeavours centre specifically on the emergence of strategies within family-owned SMEs. She aims to deepen her understanding of this area by exploring the distinctive factors that shape strategy emergence within these enterprises. Notably, she has recently embarked on an exploration of the role of emotion in the context of family entrepreneurship, to unravel how emotion can ripple outward creativity.

To facilitate her research goals, Helen actively collaborates with partners across the United Kingdom and Europe. By engaging with experts and organisations in various regions, she seeks to enrich her research insights and contribute to the collective understanding of strategizing in family-owned SMEs. Helen's dedication to advancing knowledge in this field underscores her commitment to supporting and enhancing the strategic capabilities of family-owned enterprises, thereby fostering their long-term sustainability.

Helen is an accomplished educator who brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her teaching practice. With a strong focus on strategic management, employability, and organizational misbehavior, she assumes a leadership role across multiple modules.

Drawing from her profound interest in strategic formulation, implementation, and emergence, Helen infuses her teaching with a dynamic and practical approach. By integrating real-world examples and case studies, she ensures that students grasp the essential principles and complexities of strategic management. Her teaching methodology encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, empowering students to analyse and navigate strategic challenges with confidence.

In addition to her dedication to strategic management, Helen is committed to equipping students with employability skills essential for success in the professional world. She recognises the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice, fostering an environment that nurtures the development of practical skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. By embedding employability within her teaching, Helen empowers students to embrace their career aspirations and take ownership of their professional growth.

Moreover, Helen's teaching philosophy encompasses the cultivation of student responsibility. She believes that students should be active participants in their learning journey, encouraging them to take initiative, engage in self-reflection, and assume accountability for their academic progress. Through interactive discussions, collaborative projects, and experiential learning opportunities, Helen fosters a supportive and empowering learning environment where students are encouraged to take ownership of their education.

Helen's teaching extends beyond the confines of the classroom, as she actively engages in ongoing professional development to remain at the forefront of educational practices, recently presenting at the Praxis Auril Conference 2023 discussing student knowledge exchange through internship partnerships with SMEs. By staying abreast of emerging trends and pedagogical approaches, she continuously enhances her teaching methodologies, ensuring that her students receive the highest quality education and are well-prepared for their future careers.