📍Europe and Asia: Imperial College London | 16-18 October 2026
📍North America: Cornell Tech and New York University | 13-15 November 2026
Laidlaw 2026 Scholars - get ready for your annual conference!
The theme for this year’s conference will be … AMBITION.
Ambition is drive with purpose. It is the force behind innovation, that challenges injustice, and opens numerous possibilities. No longer singularly defined by individual success or status, but by impact.
Over three days, we'll explore how to direct our ambition to become ethical leaders and changemakers. We're breaking ambition down into four big questions:
- 🎯 Why do we aim?
- 💪 How do we endure?
- 🤝 Who do we move with?
- 🌍 Where do we act?
How might we orient our ambition towards responsibility, courage, and the common good? How do we remain driven while protecting our wellbeing? How do we act ethically within flawed institutions?
Together we can unpack this theme to answer the question of what kind of world we want to build and what role we will play in shaping it?
👀 Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:
- Make Global Connections: the conference provides a unique opportunity to meet over 200 Laidlaw scholars from 22 of the world’s top universities!
- Share your journey: Present your research projects and gain an insight into Leadership-in-Action during panel presentations or the poster symposium. Learn about the fascinating work other scholars have undertaken and prepare your future impact.
- Learn from Leaders: Attend masterclasses and keynote speeches designed to equip and inspire.
Here are some highlights from last year’s conference to get you excited! ✨