The study, led by Dr Tasmiha Tarafder Tina from the UNE Business School, targets women operating micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in Armidale and the New England area.
Dr Tarafder Tina said that while the region has a long history of women-led businesses, there is a lack of evidence regarding the specific obstacles they face.
"Access to finance, digital capability gaps, limited networking, and care responsibilities are well-known hurdles, but they play out differently in a regional context," Dr Tarafder Tina said.
"We want to move away from one-size-fits-all recommendations. By documenting lived experiences, we can provide decision-makers with concrete evidence to support better policy, flexible childcare solutions, and shared workspace initiatives tailored for our region."
The research, funded by a UNE Internal Funding Scheme, specifically seeks input from women in business in Armidale, Guyra, Uralla, and the wider New England region; and those running home-based or digital businesses.
"This isn't just an academic exercise. The goal is to translate these findings into practical tools like training modules and mentoring circles that actually help women scale their businesses," Dr Tarafder Tina said.
Call for Participants
Researchers are inviting women to participate in 45-minute interviews or focus groups. These sessions offer a direct opportunity to influence regional business support mechanisms and connect with other local entrepreneurs.
Eligibility:
- You are a woman aged 18 or older.
- You are involved in a start-up, micro, or small/medium business.
- Your business is located in the New England region.
The sessions will be held in Armidale in a professional, relaxed environment with light refreshments provided.
How to register: Interested participants can register their interest and check availability by scanning the QR code in the image above or use this link below to express your interest and availability: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bmDc1hFK0cxqiuW
This project has received ethics approval (UNE Ethics Approval No: HE-2026-3052-5592; valid until 31 March 2027).
