Thursday, November 13, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM GMT
The new publication from the RSA Policy Impact series, A seat at the table: A place for disabled entrepreneurs and innovators, will officially launch on Thursday, November 13, during a special session at the Regional Futures Conference.
Edited by Helen Lawton Smith, Connie L. McNeely, Jacqueline Winstanley, and Ayşe Seyyide Kaptaner Demirhan, the book examines how disabled entrepreneurs are supported across a range of international contexts, including the UK, India, Nigeria, Hungary, the United States, and Türkiye.
Through comparative case studies, the book explores the systemic barriers that continue to limit opportunities for disabled innovators, while also celebrating the resilience, creativity, and leadership of those shaping change within their communities. The authors provide evidence-based policy recommendations designed to strengthen inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems and to embed equity within innovation and regional development strategies.
Far from viewing disabled entrepreneurs as beneficiaries of policy, A Seat at the Table repositions them as active agents of innovation, individuals whose lived experiences bring essential perspectives to the design of more inclusive policies and practices.
During the launch event, Professor Helen Lawton Smith will offer insights into the collaborative nature of the research, and the broader implications of the findings for policymakers, academics, and practitioners working in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and social inclusion.
The session promises to be a powerful discussion about rethinking innovation through inclusion, ensuring that disabled entrepreneurs have not only a seat at the table — but a defining voice in shaping the future of equitable economic development.
Click here to read a recent blog by Helen Lawton Smith, Connie L. McNeely, Jacqueline Winstanley and Ayşe Seyyide Kaptaner Demirhan, published on 9 August 2025
RSA Members receive a print copy of the book as one of the membership benefits.
RSA POLICY EXPO GRANT SCHEME
This RSA policy research initiative worth £15,000 (c. $20,000; c. €17,800) aims to connect the work of successful teams with the wider communities on societal questions and policy needs. Expos will normally run for no more than 18 months from commissioning to the submission of a Policy Expo Book and RSRS article for review.
The deadline for the 2025 RSA Policy Expo grant funding scheme is 14th November 2025. The Policy Expo initiative is worth up to £15,000 (c.$19,000; c. €16,800) to successful teams aiming to connect their work and wider communities to societal questions and policy needs. Click here for more information on the grant scheme.