How Do We Weave Academic Networks of Care? A Conversation with Sergia Lage Arias

While mainstream entrepreneurship is about acceleration, innovation, and speed, Sergia offers a radically different metaphor: compost—slow, natural growth through decomposition and regeneration. Growing up connected to the land and sea in Galicia, Sergia brings a deeply place-based perspective to education, emphasizing that we must be "in, for, and of" our local contexts. Through nature walks, eco-social sewing (a form of community communication), and visits to local businesses that don't appear in textbooks, Sergia creates spaces for students to understand entrepreneurship beyond startup culture—as stewardship. But this work is hard, and Sergia doesn't shy away from naming educator burnout and the need for institutional bravery. "We should be weaving academic networks that really start from caring for others and being aware that you are not alone," Sergia reminds us, calling for courage, community, and the patience to let regeneration unfold at nature's pace.Key themes: Slow growth, place-based learning, eco-social methods, stewardship, educator networks, institutional courage