Social Entrepreneurship

This study examines "Social Entrepreneurship," a term that has come to be applied to the activities of grass-roots activists, NGOs, policy makers, international institutions, and corporations, amongst others, which address a range of social issues in innovative and creative ways.

Dr Alex Nicholls MBA originally trained in medieval hagiography and lexicography, but has more recently converted a lifelong passion for social justice and societal innovation into an academic focus on social entrepreneurship. As a writer, researcher, and consultant, he has been actively involved with social entrepreneurs for more than ten years. Nicholls has published a major research book on Fair Trade as well as a range of academic journal articles on the relationship between business, society, and social innovation. He is a regular speaker at international conferences and policy workshops. Having previously held posts at four other universities, Nicholls is currently the University Lecturer in Social Entrepreneurship at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, University of Oxford, where he leads the development of a several research projects and teaches a range of social entrepreneurship courses.

'Social enterprise is an exciting movement which challenges both private and public sectors. To succeed in realising its potential it needs to be supported by evidence, analysis, and academic insight. The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship provides a hub for this thinking and Dr Alex Nicholls' latest book is a strong contribution to the field.' Ed Miliband MP, Minister for the Third Sector