Prof Stephen Syrett


Prof Stephen Syrett
NameProf Stephen Syrett
Job titleDeputy Dean: Research & Knowledge Exchange
Research institute
Primary appointmentBusiness School Leadership
Email addressS.Syrett@mdx.ac.uk
ORCIDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1965-6256
Contact categoryAcademic staff

Biography

Biography

Stephen is Professor of Local Economic Development and Deputy Dean Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Business and Law. His research specialises in issues of local, urban and regional economic development, governance and policy, and small business research, with particular reference to immigrant business, social enterprise, home-based business, and the role of enterprise in regenerating deprived areas. He has published extensively on these topics including books, journal articles and policy and practice reports. Across multiple funded research projects. Stephen has worked with a wide range of national, regional and local government bodies in the UK and Europe, including government departments and the European Commission, as well as voluntary and community sector and private sector organisations.

A leader in research and knowledge exchange, Stephen has a track record of high quality, impactful research and working closely with external partners. Previously as Director of the Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research, he was responsible for all aspects of managing and leading this major university research centre. CEEDR provided six highly rated impact case studies across the Business and Management submissions to REF2014 and REF2021 consistently generating up to 80 per cent of research funding earnt by Middlesex University Business School.

As Business School Director of Research Stephen subsequently led the School’s REF2021 Business and Management submission, the largest in Middlesex University, which attained the outstanding achievement of a number one ranking nationally for the social impact of its research. This achievement resulted from building a strong research team and related infrastructure and putting centre-stage support for researcher development via mentoring, seedcorn funding, research time allowances, writing bootcamps, research cluster development, and funding and impact workshops.

This work is now being built upon in Stephen’s current role as Deputy Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Business and Law. Activity here focuses on developing the research and knowledge exchange management and support infrastructure for the Faculty and enhancing PhD study, through membership of the ESRC funded SENSS social science Doctoral Training Partnership, alongside the growth of our Professional Doctorates provision.

Teaching

Stephen's areas of teaching include:

Immigrant and transnational entrepreneurship

  • Social economy and social enterprise
  • Local and regional economic development and policy
  • Urban regeneration and neighbourhood renewal
  • Entrepreneurship and SME development
  • Research methods

Stephen has been the Director of Studies for 13 successful PhD students and been part of the supervisory team for many more. He is always keen to speak to anyone interested in pursuing further Doctoral study.

Employment

Deputy Dean Research & Knowledge Exchange Faculty of Business & Law
Middlesex University
01 Sept 2022
Deputy Dean Research & Knowledge Exchange Faculty of Professional and Social Sciences
Middlesex University
01 Sept 2020
30 Sept 2022
Business School Director of Research
Middlesex University
01 Sept 2016
31 Aug 2020

Education and qualifications

PhD
01 Jul 1991
Exeter University
BA (Hons) Geography
20 Jun 1985
Durham University

Grants

SENSS Doctoral Training Partnership
01 Sept 2023
ESRC
Black Led Business in Barnet
01 Jun 2023
Trust for London Racial Justice Fund
International Network for Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities
01 Sept 2020
European Commission Horizon
Cities, the Social Economy and Inclusive Growth
01 Apr 2017
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Exploring the Impact of Volunteer Business Mentoring on Young Entrepreneurs
01 May 2016
Youth Business International
Entrepreneurship in Homes and Neighbourhoods
01 Sept 2013
ESRC
Business and Economic Intelligence for London
01 May 2013
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills/ National Institute of Economic and Social Research
Developing an Economic Strategy for Barnet
01 Sept 2012
London Borough of Barnet
Social Enterprise Research Capacity Building Cluster
01 Jun 2007
ESRC, Office for Civil Society and Barrow Cadbury Trust
Regeneration: How should the problem be addressed?
01 Mar 2010
Department of Communities and Local Government
Refugees, New Arrivals and Enterprise: Their Contributions and Constraints
01 Jun 2007
Small Business Service
Local Area Agreements and Strategy Activity at the Local and Sub-regional Level
01 Mar 2008
Department of Communities and Local Government
Mapping Economic Assessments and Strategy Activity at the Local and Sub-regional Level
01 Mar 2008
Department of Communities and Local Government
Regional Governance and the Economic Needs of Deprived Communities
01 Apr 2005
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Systematic Reviews for Policy Development: Local Economic Development
01 Feb 2003
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
The Contribution of Social Capital in the Social Economy to Local Economic Development (CONSCISE)
01 Apr 2000
European Commission

Prizes and Awards

Research outputs

Immigrant business in transnational contexts: a multifocal understanding of the breakout process

Onyima, J., Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2023. Immigrant business in transnational contexts: a multifocal understanding of the breakout process. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 30 (1), pp. 155-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-02-2023-0190

Local power and economic policy: Local authority economic initiatives in Portugal

Syrett, S. 1994. Local power and economic policy: Local authority economic initiatives in Portugal. Regional Studies. 28 (1), pp. 53-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343409412331348066

Turning job seekers into job creators through entrepreneurship mentoring at Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, India

Sanyal, C., Haddock-Millar, J., Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Owen, R., Syrett, S. and Kaye, N. 2023. Turning job seekers into job creators through entrepreneurship mentoring at Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, India. in: Cannio, S., Carvalho, C. and Yu, F. (ed.) Mentoring with a Coaching Attitude: International Corporate Mentorship that Works London, UK Open University.

A contextual understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship: identity, opportunity and resources in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diaspora

Syrett, S. and Keles, J. 2022. A contextual understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship: identity, opportunity and resources in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diaspora. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 28 (9), pp. 376-404. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2021-0658

An institutional analysis of 'power within' local governance: a Bazaari tale from Pakistan

Khan, M.S. and Syrett, S. 2022. An institutional analysis of 'power within' local governance: a Bazaari tale from Pakistan. World Development. 154, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.105882

Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity

Reuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2022. Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures. 135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102877

Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity

Reuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2021. Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures. 128, pp. 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2021.102714

Territorial capital as a source of firm competitive advantage: evidence from the North and South of Italy

Morretta, V., Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2020. Territorial capital as a source of firm competitive advantage: evidence from the North and South of Italy. European Planning Studies. 28 (12), pp. 2390-2408. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2020.1722067

Portugal Economy

Syrett, S. 2019. Portugal Economy. in: Europa, P. (ed.) Western Europe 2020 Routledge.

The political institutionalization of the social economy in Ecuador: indigeneity and institutional logics

Calvo, S., Syrett, S. and Morales, A. 2020. The political institutionalization of the social economy in Ecuador: indigeneity and institutional logics. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 38 (2), pp. 269-289. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654419857719

Diasporas, agency and enterprise in settlement and homeland contexts: politicised entrepreneurship in the Kurdish diaspora

Syrett, S. and Keles, J. 2019. Diasporas, agency and enterprise in settlement and homeland contexts: politicised entrepreneurship in the Kurdish diaspora. Political Geography. 73, pp. 60-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2019.05.008

Monitoring and evaluating business mentoring: towards a research and evaluation toolkit to measure impact

Haddock-Millar, J., Sanyal, C., Kaye, N., Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Owen, R. and Syrett, S. 2018. Monitoring and evaluating business mentoring: towards a research and evaluation toolkit to measure impact. International Journal of Human Resource Development: Practice, Policy & Research. 3 (2), pp. 35-47. https://doi.org/10.22324/ijhrdppr.3.115

Understanding entrepreneurship in residential neighbourhoods and communities of place

Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Syrett, S., van Ham, M. and Mason, C. 2017. Understanding entrepreneurship in residential neighbourhoods and communities of place. in: van Ham, M., Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (ed.) Entrepreneurial Neighbourhoods: Towards an Understanding of the Economies of Neighbourhoods and Communities Edward Elgar. pp. 297-308

Unravelling the nexus between entrepreneurship, neighbourhoods and communities - introduction

Kleinhans, R., Reuschke, D., van Ham, M., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. 2017. Unravelling the nexus between entrepreneurship, neighbourhoods and communities - introduction. in: van Ham, M., Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (ed.) Entrepreneurial Neighbourhoods: Towards an Understanding of the Economies of Neighbourhoods and Communities Edward Elgar. pp. 1-18

Entrepreneurial neighbourhoods: towards an understanding of the economies of neighbourhoods and communities

van Ham, M., Reuschke, D., Kleinhans, R., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (ed.) 2017. Entrepreneurial neighbourhoods: towards an understanding of the economies of neighbourhoods and communities. Edward Elgar.

Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth

Vickers, I., Andrea, W., Roger, S., Brennan, G. and Syrett, S. 2017. Cities, the social economy and inclusive growth. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Entrepreneurship in cities: neighbourhoods, households and homes

Mason, C., Reuschke, D., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. (ed.) 2015. Entrepreneurship in cities: neighbourhoods, households and homes. Edward Elgar.

Integrating entrepreneurship with urban and neighbourhood studies: lessons for future research

Reuschke, D., Mason, C., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. 2015. Integrating entrepreneurship with urban and neighbourhood studies: lessons for future research. in: Mason, C., Reuschke, D., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. (ed.) Entrepreneurship in Cities: Neighbourhoods, Households and Homes Edward Elgar. pp. 273-286

Connecting entrepreneurship with neighbourhoods and homes

Reuschke, D., Mason, C., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. 2015. Connecting entrepreneurship with neighbourhoods and homes. in: Mason, C., Reuschke, D., Syrett, S. and van Ham, M. (ed.) Entrepreneurship in Cities: Neighbourhoods, Households and Homes Edward Elgar. pp. 1-16

Spatially-concentrated worklessness and neighbourhood policies: experiences from New Labour in England

Syrett, S. and North, D. 2013. Spatially-concentrated worklessness and neighbourhood policies: experiences from New Labour in England. in: Manley, D., van Ham, M., Bailey, N., Simpson, L. and Maclennan, D. (ed.) Neighbourhood effects or neighbourhood based problems? A policy context Springer. pp. 43-65

Social enterprise and ethnic minorities: exploring the consequences of the evolving British policy agenda

Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Calvo, S. 2013. Social enterprise and ethnic minorities: exploring the consequences of the evolving British policy agenda. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 31 (4), pp. 633-648. https://doi.org/10.1068/c11319

Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance

Syrett, S. and Bertotti, M. 2012. Reconsidering private sector engagement in subnational economic governance. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 44 (10), pp. 2310-2326. https://doi.org/10.1068/a44675

Urban governance and economic development in the diverse city

Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2012. Urban governance and economic development in the diverse city. European Urban and Regional Studies. 19 (3), pp. 238-253.

Population superdiversity and new migrant enterprise: The case of London

Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Lyon, F. 2011. Population superdiversity and new migrant enterprise: The case of London. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development. 23 (7-8), pp. 469-497. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985620903420211

Regeneration: how should the problem be addressed? A discussion paper commissioned from the Regeneration and Economic Development Analysis Expert Panel for the Regeneration Futures Roundtable.

Syrett, S. 2011. Regeneration: how should the problem be addressed? A discussion paper commissioned from the Regeneration and Economic Development Analysis Expert Panel for the Regeneration Futures Roundtable. London Department for Communities and Local Government.

Realising the diversity dividend: population diversity and urban economic development.

Syrett, S. and Sepulveda Ramirez, L. 2011. Realising the diversity dividend: population diversity and urban economic development. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. 43 (2), pp. 487-504. https://doi.org/10.1068/a43185

Social enterprise and ethnic minorities

Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Calvo, S. 2010. Social enterprise and ethnic minorities. Birmingham Third Sector Research Centre, University of Birmingham.

Between economic competitiveness and social inclusion: New Labour and the economic revival of deprived neighbourhoods.

Syrett, S. and North, D. 2010. Between economic competitiveness and social inclusion: New Labour and the economic revival of deprived neighbourhoods. Local Economy. 25 (5/6), pp. 476-493.

Informal economic activities and deprived neighbourhoods.

Evans, M., Syrett, S., Williams, C. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. Informal economic activities and deprived neighbourhoods. London Department of Communities and Local Government.

Tackling concentrated worklessness: integrating governance and policy across and within spatial scales

North, D., Syrett, S. and Etherington, D. 2009. Tackling concentrated worklessness: integrating governance and policy across and within spatial scales. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space. 27 (6), pp. 1022-1039. https://doi.org/10.1068/c0855

Local area agreements and local economic development

Syrett, S., North, D., Owen, R., Etherington, D., Engelbert, S. and CEEDR 2009. Local area agreements and local economic development. London Department for Communities and Local Government.

Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city

Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city. London. Middlesex University Press.

Portugal: the economy.

Syrett, S. 2009. Portugal: the economy. in: Western Europe, 2010 London Routledge.

New ethnic minority business communities in Britain: challenges of diversity and informality for the UK business and policy frameworks.

Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Syrett, S. and Lyon, F. 2008. New ethnic minority business communities in Britain: challenges of diversity and informality for the UK business and policy frameworks. London Middlesex University.

Renewing neighbourhoods: work, enterprise and governance

Syrett, S. and North, D. 2008. Renewing neighbourhoods: work, enterprise and governance. Bristol Policy Press.

Review of economic assessment and strategy activity at the local and sub-regional level.

Syrett, S. 2008. Review of economic assessment and strategy activity at the local and sub-regional level. London Department of Communities and Local Government.

Making the links: economic deprivation, neighbourhood renewal and scales of governance

North, D. and Syrett, S. 2008. Making the links: economic deprivation, neighbourhood renewal and scales of governance. Regional Studies. 42 (1), pp. 133-148. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343400601147273

Local alchemy in the East Midlands

Vickers, I. 2007. Local alchemy in the East Midlands. in: North, D., Syrett, S. and Etherington, D. (ed.) Political devolution, regional governance and tackling deprivation York, UK Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies.

North, D., Syrett, S., Etherington, D., Vickers, I. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Interventions to tackle the economic needs of deprived areas: analysis of six policy case studies. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Devolved governance and the economic problems of deprived areas: the cases of Scotland, Wales and four English Regions

North, D., Syrett, S., Etherington, D. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Devolved governance and the economic problems of deprived areas: the cases of Scotland, Wales and four English Regions. York Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Formalising new arrival enterprises: challenges of new ethnic entrepreneurship for business support policy.

Sepulveda Ramirez, L., Lyon, F., Botero, A., Syrett, S. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2007. Formalising new arrival enterprises: challenges of new ethnic entrepreneurship for business support policy. Prevista Ltd.

Devolution and regional governance: tackling the economic needs of deprived areas

North, D., Etherington, D. and Syrett, S. 2007. Devolution and regional governance: tackling the economic needs of deprived areas. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Migration, new arrivals and local economies

Syrett, S. and Lyons, M. 2007. Migration, new arrivals and local economies. Local Economy. 22 (4), pp. 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/02690940701736710

Enterprising refugees: contributions and challenges in deprived areas

Lyon, F., Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and Syrett, S. 2007. Enterprising refugees: contributions and challenges in deprived areas. Local Economy. 22 (4), pp. 363-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02690940701736769

Out of the shadows? Formalisation approaches to informal economic activity

Sepulveda Ramirez, L. and Syrett, S. 2007. Out of the shadows? Formalisation approaches to informal economic activity. Policy and Politics. 35 (1), pp. 87-104. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557307779657739

Generating social capital? The social economy and local economic development

Syrett, S. and Evans, M. 2007. Generating social capital? The social economy and local economic development. European Urban and Regional Studies. 14 (1), pp. 53-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776407072664

Governing the global city: economic challenges and London's new institutional arrangements

Syrett, S. 2006. Governing the global city: economic challenges and London's new institutional arrangements. Local Government Studies. 32 (3), pp. 293-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930600693203

Governing Lisbon: evolving forms of city governance

Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2006. Governing Lisbon: evolving forms of city governance. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 30 (1), pp. 98-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.2006.00646.x

Economies of deprived neighbourhoods: summary of research

North, D., Syrett, S., Evans, M., Sanderson, I., Williams, C. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. Economies of deprived neighbourhoods: summary of research. London Department of Communities and Local Government. https://doi.org/06NRU03863

The dynamics of local economies and deprived neighbourhoods

North, D., Syrett, S. and CEEDR (Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research) 2006. The dynamics of local economies and deprived neighbourhoods. London Department of Communities and Local Government. https://doi.org/06NRU03866

Metropolitan governance and regionalism: the case of Lisbon.

Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2005. Metropolitan governance and regionalism: the case of Lisbon. in: Sagan, I. and Halkier, H. (ed.) Regionalism contested: institutions, society and territorial governance. Aldershot Ashgate. pp. 247-264

Reshaping London's economic governance: the role of the London Development Agency

Syrett, S. and Owen, R. 2003. Reshaping London's economic governance: the role of the London Development Agency. European Urban and Regional Studies. 10 (1), pp. 69-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776403010001323

Portugal transformed

Syrett, S. 2002. Portugal transformed. in: Syrett, S. (ed.) Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change Aldershot, UK Ashgate. pp. 1-23

Economic change and regional development in Portugal

Syrett, S. 2002. Economic change and regional development in Portugal. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change Aldershot, UK Ashgate. pp. 47-82

Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change

Syrett, S. 2002. Contemporary Portugal: dimensions of economic and political change. Aldershot, UK Ashgate.

Governing London: challenges for the new economic governance

Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Governing London: challenges for the new economic governance. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city London Middlesex University Press. pp. 48-160

Regional development agencies in Portugal: Past developments and future challenges

Syrett, S. and Silva, C. 2001. Regional development agencies in Portugal: Past developments and future challenges. Regional Studies. 35 (2), pp. 174-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343400120033160

Changing times, changing styles: new forms of economic governance in London

Syrett, S., Owen, R., Middlesex University. Regional Regeneration Research Programme. and CEEDR 2001. Changing times, changing styles: new forms of economic governance in London. in: Syrett, S. and Owen, R. (ed.) Governing London: competitiveness and regeneration in a global city London Middlesex University Press. pp. 1-22

Agências de Desenvolvimento Regional em Portugal: que futuro?

Silva, C. and Syrett, S. 2000. Agências de Desenvolvimento Regional em Portugal: que futuro? Cadernos Municipais - Revista de Acção Regional e Local. 14 (72), pp. 36-47.

The single European market and SMEs: a comparison of its effects in the food and clothing sectors in the UK and Portugal

Smallbone, D, Cumbers, A, Syrett, S and Leigh, R 1999. The single European market and SMEs: a comparison of its effects in the food and clothing sectors in the UK and Portugal. Regional Studies. 33 (1), pp. 51-62. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343409950118913

The politics of partnership - The role of social partners in local economic development in Portugal

Syrett, S 1997. The politics of partnership - The role of social partners in local economic development in Portugal. European Urban and Regional Studies. 4 (2), pp. 99-114. https://doi.org/10.1177/096977649700400201

Local economic initiatives in Portugal - Reality and rhetoric

Syrett, S. 1993. Local economic initiatives in Portugal - Reality and rhetoric. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 17 (4), pp. 526-546. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.1993.tb00239.x
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