Summer 2026
My Leadership in Action (LiA) placement was spent in Chicago, Illinois, working with Urban Rivers, an environmental NGO dedicated to urban ecological restoration. The organization focuses on transforming degraded waterways into biodiverse, floating eco-park infrastructure, most notably through their flagship project, the Wild Mile. Urban Rivers operates through multi-agency collaboration, aligning with local ward offices, municipal bodies such as the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), academic researchers, and community volunteers to improve river health, eradicate invasive species, and restore urban aquatic habitats.
Engaging directly with site operations over six weeks provided valuable insight into non-profit management, community-led conservation, and municipal policy execution. Working within an international setting deepened my perspective on global citizenship, demonstrating that effective organisational leadership relies on consistent core principles: cross-functional collaboration, communication, and alignment toward shared goals. Working alongside these stakeholders, I noted a shared sense of curiosity and ambition, where individual character traits complemented one another to drive their collective vision forward.
Summer 2025
This practical placement builds upon the foundations established during my initial research summer within the Durham Laidlaw cohort. Under the supervision of Dr. Kim Bouwer, my primary research project examined the 'Reasonable Man Test (RMS)' within tort law, investigating under-analysed legal contentions and judicial standards.
My approach to research and leadership has transformed significantly over my two years in the Laidlaw Programme. Comparing my current progress to my initial application expectations within the 2025 Durham cohort, I have achieved developmental milestones that I could not have anticipated when first designing my summer research proposal.
Leadership and Ethical Development
Frameworks introduced through the Oxford Character Project (OCP) (specifically the intersection of performance capacities, change-maker values, and character dimensions) provided a practical vocabulary for my professional growth.
Through both my academic research and LiA, I evaluated how key leadership virtues function in practice. Stepping into unfamiliar operational roles, such as public-facing outreach and environmental restoration tasks, required carrying out responsibilities with humility and courage as I adapted beyond my baseline to embrace new operational challenges. Simultaneously, I relied heavily on performance capacities by applying critical thinking, strategic planning, and reflective evaluation to both my legal analysis and project deliverables.
Looking Ahead
The skills, ethical frameworks, and professional insights gained throughout the Laidlaw Programme will serve as a foundational baseline for my remaining legal studies and future career. Moving forward, I aim to apply this combination of rigorous analytical research, municipal awareness, and value-driven leadership to future academic projects and professional endeavors.