By Line Mathilde Karlsen
Organized in collaboration with the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB), the conference brought together around 180 participants from 22 countries. Researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers travelled to Bodø from across Europe and beyond, including participants from the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and Hong Kong.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Developing Change Agents through Entrepreneurship Education.” The conference explored how education can empower individuals to create positive social, economic, and environmental change in a rapidly evolving world.
Developing the Change Agents of Tomorrow
The need for people who can navigate uncertainty, identify opportunities, collaborate across disciplines, and turn ideas into action has never been greater. These questions were at the heart of the discussions, Professional Development Workshops (PDWs), and research presentations throughout the conference.
Contributions covered a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurial learning, teamwork, innovation, sustainability, artificial intelligence, identity, and new pedagogical approaches. Together, they highlighted the growing role of entrepreneurship education in preparing students to become active contributors to society and drivers of positive change.
For Engage and Nord University, hosting the conference was an opportunity not only to showcase the institution’s work in entrepreneurship education, but also to introduce participants to Bodø and Northern Norway. The conference took place across Nord University’s main campus and Quality Hotel Ramsalt, with the Arctic landscape and the midnight sun providing a memorable backdrop for learning, networking, and collaboration.
An Unplugged Conference Experience
The 3E Conference is known for its innovative and highly interactive format. Unlike traditional academic conferences, presentations are “unplugged” – there are no PowerPoint slides. Instead, participants engage in roundtable discussions centred on questions, challenges, and ideas, having read papers in advance.
The conference combines research presentations with Professional Development Workshops (PDWs), where participants actively explore and test new educational tools, methods, and approaches together. This format encourages deeper dialogue, collaboration, and reflection among participants, making 3E a unique meeting place for the international entrepreneurship education community.
“The Best Job in the World”
One of the highlights of the conference was the plenary session “Building Entrepreneurship Education Together: How Collaborative Initiatives Can Drive the Next Generation of Change Agents in Europe”, a sofa conversation moderated by Professor Gry Agnete Alsos. During the discussion, Professor Andrey Corbett reflected on the unique role of entrepreneurship educators and the impact they have on future generations. His message was simple yet powerful: entrepreneurship educators should not forget that they have “the best job in the world.”
By working with students every day, educators have the opportunity to shape future innovators, problem-solvers, and change makers. Entrepreneurship education is not only about creating new ventures; it is about helping individuals develop the mindset, confidence, and capabilities needed to create positive change in their communities and beyond.
The message resonated strongly with participants who had spent several days discussing how education can contribute to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges and how universities can help develop the change agents needed for the future.
A Milestone for Engage and Nord University
Bringing the 3E Conference to Bodø represents an important milestone for both Engage and Nord University Business School. Over the past decade, the academic community has contributed significantly to the development of entrepreneurship education research and practice, both nationally and internationally.
Hosting around 180 participants from 22 countries demonstrated the strength of this community and its shared commitment to developing educational approaches that prepare students to shape the future.
As the first 3E Conference ever held north of the Arctic Circle, the 2026 edition will be remembered not only for its unique location, but also for the conversations, collaborations, and ideas that emerged under the midnight sun.
