12 March, 2025

Hincks Centre researchers explore the role of assessment in entrepreneurship education in their latest chapter, "Assessment and Feedback of Entrepreneurial Learning Outcomes: Working Towards a Framework for Educators," published in the Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurial Learning (Edward Elgar, 2025).

https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook/book/9781803922218/9781803922218.xml

Entrepreneurship education as a means of building entrepreneurial competencies is broadly agreed upon, and this chapter seeks to explore entrepreneurial learning in the context of higher education in Ireland. It will explore the role of assessment as part of the entrepreneurial learning experience. For educators, assessment is an integral part of the entrepreneurial learning cycle and is a key activity within their role. Pittaway and Edwards’ (2012) work on assessment provides a conceptual lens through which data generated as part of a national review of assessment practices in entrepreneurship education in Ireland is reviewed.

The aim of the chapter is to evaluate the empirical findings vis-à-vis the extant literature and research to advance the theoretical understanding of assessment practices in entrepreneurial learning. The chapter concludes by proposing an integrative framework for educators that will enable them to conceptualise assessment in entrepreneurial learning in their own context and practices.

The handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research, empirical advances and insights in the field of entrepreneurial learning. It identifies critical gaps and avenues for future scholarly inquiry and presents a comprehensive, well-informed overview of the field to guide academic discourse and real-world entrepreneurial development initiatives.

Dr. Helen McGuirk 

Head, Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence,

School of Business,