Oxford Regions, Innovation & Enterprise Lab

ORIEL is a specialist centre of excellence that studies enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development through a spatial lens. In keeping with the mission of Oxford Brookes University, ORIEL is committed to delivering engaged and impactful research, seeking to influence research and practice and to have a positive impact on local communities as well as on organisations and society throughout the world. Our activities centre around three main themes:

1. Sustainable and responsible enterprise.

2. The future of enterprise.

3. Innovation and enterprise policy.

ORIEL provides a platform for enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and regional economic development research and engagement that focuses on and addresses the needs of public, private and third sector stakeholders. By linking intellectually led questions and practice-based solutions, ORIEL bridges academic insight and its application. Members of ORIEL engage in local, national and international research on a range of issues, from regional economic development, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and innovation to SME growth and internationalisation. Research also addresses forward-thinking agendas and debates around technological advancement, in particular the impact and implications of artificial intelligence for organisations, economy, and society, as well as inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience.