“Peer critique allows entrepreneurs to lower the veil of certainty”
- Alan Harlam, Director of Social Entrepreneurship
Swearer Center for Public Service
What is a peer critique?
A peer critique is a forum for student leaders of innovative projects, initiatives, and organizations to seek feedback from other students, faculty, alumni, and professionals in the community who have experience in the field of social entrepreneurship.
The Goal
Peer critiques are founded on the notion that the most useful ideas and suggestions may come from people with similar experiences. Meeting around a common table, participants share their questions, advice, and encouragement in a spirit of collegial collaboration. A successful peer critique promotes listening, generosity, and respect; it is not a forum for selling, arguing, or discouraging.
The goal of each session is to give the presenter a renewed focus on the issues facing their project, and to facilitate relationships among students and mentors. By hearing participants’ perspectives, students will find new ways to think about their work. By the end of the session, they have a list of concrete choices to consider, people to contact, and questions to research.
Is my project a good fit?
Projects should be founded on the entrepreneurial principles of impact, innovation, and sustainability. They can use a for-profit, non-profit, or blended model, but should have a primary goal of social impact. Whether your project is up and running or still just an idea in your head, the advice and connections you get from students, faculty, alumni, and professionals will be invaluable.
The Format
Leaders of four projects will make five-minute presentations, outlining their ideas, goals, and challenges. The presentations will be followed by 25 minutes for questions and discussion. A facilitator will keep track of time and make sure the conversation moves forward. A note taker will record the feedback so that the presenter can remain focused on the conversation.
