3E 2026 Conference – ECSB Entrepreneurship Education Conference

PDWs: A Short Guide

Professional Development Workshops (PDWs) at the 3E Conference are interactive, unplugged, and participant centred. They are designed as spaces for shared learning, practical exploration, and collaborative reflection in a supportive and collegial environment. On this page, you will find practical guidance on how to prepare for PDWs, how the sessions are organised, and how presenters and participants can best contribute to thoughtful, engaging conversations.

Before You Arrive

  • All PDW briefings are available digitally in advance.
  • Participants are expected to read the briefing and complete any pre conference preparation requested by the organisers.
  • The conference programme is also digital only – please check the latest version.
  • There are no prepared slides or printed materials.

Session Format

  • Each paper session lasts 40 minutes:
    • 10 minutes: Facilitator introduction
    • 30 minutes: Interactive workshop activities
  • Sessions run in parallel with a short break between sessions for room changes.
  • Please start and finish on time to respect both participants and neighbouring sessions.

Unplugged and interactive by design

PDWs follow a strictly unplugged format:, meaning that there are no computers, projectors, or PowerPoint. Each room provides simple physical resources:

  • Whiteboard or flip chart
  • Marker pens
  • Sticky notes and basic stationery

These tools are there to support discussion, not to replace slides. They are best used as a shared thinking space — capturing ideas, questions, reflections and outcomes as they emerge in the room.

For PDW organisers / facilitators

  • Assume participants have read the briefing.
  • Use the first 10 minutes to:
    • Clarify the focus and purpose of the workshop
    • Share any brief practical examples
    • Explain the activities, structure, and expectations for participation
  • During the interactive phase:
    • Act as a facilitator, inviting dialogue and collaboration
    • Encourage inclusive participation (e.g., pairs, small groups, whole group sharing)
    • Use flip charts or sticky notes to co-create ideas with participants
  • Stay flexible and responsive to the group, while keeping an eye on time.

For participants

  • Come prepared, curious, and supportive to engage actively.
  • Bring relevant examples, experiences, or questions from your own practice.
  • Participate generously and respectfully in activities and discussions.
  • Keep contributions concise and focused to allow space for multiple voices.

Our shared ethos

PDWs value:

  • Openness, respect, and appreciation of diverse perspectives
  • Learning with one another rather than delivering content to one another
  • Facilitators and participants sharing responsibility for a productive session

3E is a supportive and caring scholarly community. The unplugged format invites us to slow down, listen, and think together — focusing on human connection and making PDWs spaces where ideas can be tested, stretched, and developed collectively.