UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #783

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Eric Liguori
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific?: Dr. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): eliguori@fsu.edu
Position Title: Faculty
FSU College (if applicable): Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Entrepreneurship
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14541/Eric%20Liguori%20Profile%20Photo.jpeg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): Michael Cedeno
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): mac19f@fsu.edu
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Susana Santos
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Dr. 
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): ssantos@jmc.fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: The Growth Paradox: Barriers to Scaling for Social Entrepreneurs of African Descent
Project Keywords: social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial growth, African descent, societal impact
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Open to all majors, but students studying (or interested in) Business, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, International Relations, Public Administration, and/or Urban and Regional Transformation may find a particularly strong alignment.

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: {Empty}
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 8
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
This exciting research project emerged from a U.S. Department of State grant that sought to identify, understand, and help eliminate the barriers faced by social entrepreneurs of African Descent from across the globe. The data on which this project is based is highly novel and completely proprietary; drawn from a network of 55 Founders, Co-Founders, Presidents, or Executives of high-impact organizations working to address social issues across the globe. These founders span a diverse array of countries including Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Algeria, Morocco, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. All of the founders were of African descent, enabling us to better identify and explore opportunities and barriers faced by this unique population of change makers. Preliminary data analysis has yielded some very promising early results and informed the development of a working model we now seek to further refine and validate with your help. Given the current state of this project, we feel confident it is well-positioned to result in both a successful conference presentation and a peer-reviewed journal publication. We also expect our findings to be of interest to policy makers at a variety of levels and believe there is potential for our results to garner media attention. 

Research Tasks:
The most immediate next step is the completion of a literature review to best frame out the work. After that is completed, it is likely some additional interviews will be needed and/or a survey developed and disseminated. Then we will analyze the new data, frame out the remainder of the manuscript, and more forward towards presentation and publication. 

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Required Skills: strong written and verbal communication skills; high attention to detail 
Recommended Skills: critical thinking; collecting and analyzing data; conducting literature reviews; digital information literacy


Mentoring Philosophy:
This project is part of the LEAD Lab (https://jimmorancollege.fsu.edu/research/labs/lead-lab) in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. The LEAD Lab's mentoring philosophy is rooted in empowering undergraduate researchers to excel in both academic inquiry and practical application. We prioritize collaboration, encouraging students to engage with diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches that reflect the complexities of entrepreneurship. Mentorship at the LEAD Lab focuses on fostering continuous learning, ethical research practices, and entrepreneurial action. By creating an inclusive environment where every student is valued, we aim to inspire the next generation of scholars to contribute meaningfully to both the academic community and society at large. Through this mentorship, students are equipped to transform research into impactful, real-world outcomes.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://eliguori.com
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
UROP students engaging in this project will become affiliates of the LEAD Lab and eligible to engage in the lab's myriad of other projects, invited to lab events, and benefit from access to the lab's expansive network of global scholars. The value of this as a networking opportunity for students seeking to pursue research careers in academia and the social sciences is profound. Students interested in working in the public sector, especially on impact projects, will also find great benefits to participating. 


Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: Yes
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Friday, September 6, 12:30-1:00pm
Zoom: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/8257454875
Meeting ID: 825 745 4875

Roundtable Info:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes

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Year: 2024
update url: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?element_parents=elements/research_mentor_information/headshot_optional_&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=xL5UwEQX_yBVQD_Vilq6yT0DKOypptNo6YNEs2nhhnE