Dissertation defence (Entrepreneurship): MSc Regina Casteleijn-Osorno

MSc Regina Casteleijn-Osorno defends the dissertation in Entrepreneurship titled “Out of sorrow, entire worlds are built: Caregiving, entrepreneurship and maternal well-being: an art-based study in the context of additional needs” at the University of Turku on 24 April 2026 at 12.15 (University of Turku, Turku School of Economics, Lähitapiola lecture hall, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, Turku).

Opponent: Professor Helle Neergaard (Aarhus University, Denmark)

Custos: Professor Ulla Hytti (University of Turku)

Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation:

Key findings:
- Caregiving and entrepreneurial practices shape the identity and well-being of mothers.

- Caregiving entrepreneurship emerges as a new concept drawing on theory linking both domains. Skills cultivated in the caregiving realm are directly applicable to entrepreneurship.

-Joy is central to both areas, and is not incidental, rather created and nurtured by mothers-caregiver-entrepreneurs

-Resilience is not a given. Mother-caregiver-entrepreneurs pay a high resilience tax in the form of mental and physical tolls in the pursuit of resilience and growth.

Impact:

Methodological contribution-
Lego Serious Play was adapted for individual sensitive interviews was developed through this study and is a contribution to qualitative research methods.