In collaboration with my PhD student, Wojdan Omran, we conducted research focusing on the epistemic injustices faced by women entrepreneurs, specifically testimonial injustice in the form of gaslighting. Drawing upon a postcolonial feminist lens, we explored this phenomenon and its gendered nature. Through forty in-depth interviews with Palestinian women entrepreneurs, we shed light on the often unacknowledged notion of gaslighting and its impact.

Our research has yielded significant results, leading to the acceptance of one paper on epistemic injustice in Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (ABS 4* FT50). The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the interrelated nature of epistemic injustices within the contexts of occupation and patriarchy, offering valuable insights into the experiences of women entrepreneurs facing these injustices. The acceptance of this paper showcases the scholarly contribution and relevance of our research in the field of entrepreneurship.

Additionally, we have another paper currently under review that focuses on gaslighting experiences among women entrepreneurs. This paper expands upon our findings and offers a deeper exploration of the dynamics and consequences of gaslighting in the entrepreneurial context. The ongoing review process highlights the importance and potential impact of our research in advancing the understanding of testimonial injustice and its gendered manifestations.

These significant milestones, including the acceptance of our paper on epistemic injustice and the ongoing review process for our paper on gaslighting, underscore the scholarly relevance and potential impact of our research in shedding light on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. We remain committed to disseminating our findings to academic communities, policymakers, and practitioners, with the aim of fostering more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Women face unique challenges in their quest to achieve business success relative to men. Applying the theories of epistemic injustice and intersectionality, this study collectively analyzes the overlapping impacts of identities that complement gender at multiple levels in the context of the oppressive, interconnected power structures of occupation and patriarchy. Our findings explain how the impact of institutional oppressors, through structural and normative discrimi- nation, may cause some Palestinian women entrepreneurs to internalize and accept injustice while others tap into available resources to engage in epistemic resistance.