Dr Claire Street

My research and teaching focus on entrepreneurship, business models, and innovation. I draw from anthropology, entrepreneurship theory, and studies of women in poverty and socioeconomic marginality.

Underpinned by Feminist Theory, my research examines the gendered nature of entrepreneurial discourse and practice, with particular focus on women often overlooked in entrepreneurial contexts. I challenge mainstream entrepreneurship theories that reinforce male-centred assumptions and systematically exclude diverse entrepreneurial experiences, studying how gendered power relations determine who is recognised as an entrepreneur and how entrepreneurial identities are shaped by the intersection of gender, class, ethnicity and other structural inequalities.

My current work extends into business model optimisation and routes to market, exploring how founders develop and refine their approaches in practice. This combines my research interests with direct engagement in the startup and innovation ecosystem.

Through this lens, I aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and support approaches that lead to meaningful structural and social change.

Academic & Examining Responsibilities:

As Senior Lecturer in Global Business and Course Director for MBA International, I oversee the delivery of all modules on the course.

Current Teaching:

I teach across all modules on the MBA International and MSc International Business, including Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the International Perspective, Market Research, Research Methods, International Business Marketing and Communications, Global Economics and International Finance, Strategy and Globalisation, and serve as a business advisor for the Business Plan. I am module lead for Independent Study. Additionally, I teach on the government funded Help to Grow scheme, delivering modules on Strategy and Innovation and Implementing Growth Plans to SMEs.

Dissertation Supervision:

I have supervised Masters students' dissertations, supporting their academic research and professional development.

Recognitions:

2021 | Most Outstanding Contribution to Student Experience (Christ Church Staff Recognition Awards)

2020 | Best Online Lecture (Golden Apple Award)

My research focuses on evaluative studies and impact assessment across public service organisations. I collaborate with colleagues on projects that aim to improve organisational effectiveness and promote positive social outcomes. Selected research includes:

Street, C. (2025) 'A Feminist Poststructural Discourse Analysis of Marginalised Women's Entrepreneurial Experiences', CCBS Partner Conference 2025- Contemporary Issues in Business, Tourism & Accounting Management.

Street, C. P., & Ng, P. Y. (2024). Nurturing entrepreneurs: Designing child-friendly workshops for refugee women. Refugee Entrepreneurship (pp. 269-286). Routledge.

Street C. (2024) Traversing entrepreneurship: Exploring the mindset of refugee women entrepreneurs.2024 Diana International Research Conference, June 2024.

Street, C. (2022) 'Refugee Entrepreneurship – Enterprise in a Hostile Environment', Workshop on Refugee Entrepreneurship, LEMEX – Lehrstuhl für Mittelstand, Existenzgründung und Entrepreneurship, University of Bremen, May 2022.

Street, C. (2021) 'Creating a Conceptual Framework for a study of Female Refugee Entrepreneurs from a Feminist Poststructural stance', CCBS Scholarship, Enterprise and Research Conference, Christ Church Business School, Canterbury Christ Church University, July 2021.

Street, C. (2019) 'Fostering Networks, Facilitating Enterprise – A mentor-led workshop with women refugee entrepreneurs', Refugee Entrepreneurship Workshop, Sten K. Johnson Centre for Entrepreneurship, School of Economics and Management, Lund University, May 2019.

Street, C. (2018) 'Refugee Entrepreneurship – Enterprise in a liminal space. Telling the stories of refugee entrepreneurs', Festival of Social Science 2018, Essex Business School, University of Essex, November 2018.