Trudie Murray | Entrepreneurship Education | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Popular Scientist

Dr. Trudie Murray | Entrepreneurship Education | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | Munster Technological University | Ireland

Dr. Trudie Murray is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of entrepreneurship education, currently contributing to the Department of Management and Enterprise at Munster Technological University. Her research focuses on entrepreneurial and regenerative education, sustainability, biomimicry, and the integration of creativity and playfulness in pedagogy. She has developed a distinctive scholarly identity around exploring how entrepreneurial thinking can be nurtured from early childhood through to higher education, using constructivist and artistic inquiry methods. Dr. Murray’s work critically examines the human dimensions of entrepreneurship education, promoting reflective, inclusive, and responsible approaches to teaching and learning. Her publications and conference contributions span themes such as early entrepreneurial education, self-dialogical practice in educator development, and regenerative futures in enterprise learning. As a co-editor and collaborator on international research projects, she engages in interdisciplinary initiatives advancing educational innovation, sustainability, and community impact. Professionally, she combines academic leadership, programme direction, and pedagogical development, supporting curriculum design and research mentoring across disciplines. Her engagement with European networks and scholarly communities such as ECSB, ISBE, INTRE, and EEUK positions her as an influential voice in shaping policy and practice for entrepreneurship education. Through funded research projects, keynote contributions, and collaborative networks, she continues to advocate for transformative educational models that link creativity, empathy, and sustainability with enterprise and social responsibility, making significant contributions to the evolution of entrepreneurship as a force for inclusive and regenerative change.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Murray, T. (2026). FoxLodge – A subconscious journey into early entrepreneurial education. In Reimagining education through entrepreneurship: An international showcase of leadership and collaboration to education for a sustainable future.

Murray, T., & Higgins, D. (2023). Introduction – Learning to see nothing but seeking to gain everything: Entrepreneurship research as an artistic process of inquiry. In Nurturing modalities of inquiry in entrepreneurship research: Seeing the world through the eyes of those who research.

Higgins, D., & Murray, T. (2025, November 7). Expressing inner dialogues of teaching experience: Writing as a path to emancipation and growth. Innovations in Education and Teaching International.

Murray, T., Jalbert, S., & Nagel, S. (2025, May). Democratising entrepreneurial education – Leveraging familiar pedagogical approaches to empower preschool, primary, and secondary (K-12) school teachers. Paper presented at the 3E Conference.

Murray, T., & Higgins, D. (2024, November). Writing out of darkness… finding light and emancipation through entrepreneurship educator self-dialogical practice. Paper presented at the RENT Conference.

Sayuri Wijekoon | Entrepreneurship | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Sayuri Wijekoon | Entrepreneurship | Best Researcher Award

Academic | Macquarie University | Australia

Sayuri Wijekoon is an emerging scholar in marketing strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a strong academic and research background spanning doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate studies in business and management. Her doctoral research focuses on customer involvement in new product development and marketing in new ventures, building on her earlier work that examined entrepreneurial marketing, brand awareness, and brand image. She has held academic roles in Australia and Sri Lanka, teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in areas such as marketing strategy, technologies, media insights, sales, entrepreneurial marketing, and value creation. Alongside teaching, she has contributed as a research assistant, conducting literature reviews, data analysis, and project reporting. Her research has appeared in high-impact journals including the Journal of Business Research and the European Journal of Marketing, with additional work under review in top-tier outlets such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. She has presented at international conferences including the Academy of Marketing Science and the Australian Centre for Entrepreneurship Research Exchange, highlighting her commitment to advancing scholarly dialogue. Recognized with awards for academic excellence, international scholarships, and gold medals for top performance, she has demonstrated consistent distinction throughout her academic journey. In addition to research and teaching, she has contributed to academic communities as a graduate student representative and as part of organizing committees for seminars and reading clubs. Her professional development extends to training in pedagogy, communication, and programming, reflecting a multidisciplinary and innovative approach to her career. Collectively, her work integrates research, teaching, and leadership, positioning her as a promising researcher and educator in the fields of marketing, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Profile: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Wijekoon, S. P., O’Cass, A., & Vesal, M. (2024). The impact of entrepreneurial marketing on new venture brand image and performance: A capability perspective. European Journal of Marketing, 58(6), 1463–1492.

Wijekoon, S. P., Fernando, I. (2020). Mediatory role of brand love in the relationship between brand experiences and brand loyalty: Special reference to FMCG sector in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 10(2), 12–21.

Wijekoon, S. P. (2022). Creating brand awareness and brand image in new ventures: The role of entrepreneurial marketing. Macquarie University [Doctoral dissertation / research work].

Wijekoon, S. P., Vesal, M., & O’Cass, A. (2025). A configurational approach to strategic entrepreneurship: Unlocking customer success in new ventures in emerging economies. Journal of Business Research, 201, 115689.

Wijekoon, P. I. N. F. W. M. S. P. (2019). Mediatory role of brand love in the relationship between brand experiences and brand loyalty: Special reference to FMCG sector in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 10(2), 12–20.