I arrived on May 29th to stay with a friend I’ve known since my first week at Duke University. Nicholas and I traveled to Thorpe Park (30 minutes after my flight landed, mind you…), explored his small town of Winchester, and oodled and goodled over the sights of London and Wimbledon. The lack of AC, walkable community, stunning architecture, and fresh food reminded me why I adore the other side of the pond so much.
On June 1st, an LNER speedy and convenient train took me north to Leeds, where I rejoiced with my friends from last summer. From here, I would unite with @Anushka Peer and @Grace Marquez from Duke’s Laidlaw Scholars Program to grab Nando’s and visit Harewood House. We caught up and shared our experiences over lovely views of the UK countryside and a beautiful castle (dressing rooms included). I was excited to hear they share a similar love for the UK as I do.
Only two days after, I met up with @Marija Stepanenko to brave the treacherous journey to Alton Towers in the Midlands. We met last year at a fun Leeds x Duke Laidlaw get-together and have stayed in touch ever since. After nearly three hours of travel, we conquered one of my favorite ride collections of any theme park and an expansive set of well-kept gardens. We shared juicy details about our incoming leadership summers (Chicago updates incoming) while ONLY waiting in the single rider queues. If you know, you know.
A crazy countryside evening and Paris trip later, I found @Aidan Ogawa for a delicious coffee and croissant in the memory-filled Headingley area. Aidan is working with my lovely supervisors at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds this summer to continue the Social Justice and Sustainability research I conducted last summer! I was thrilled to share details of my work and hype him up for a fulfilling experience. I’m glad the project is in good hands.
Later that evening, I rock climbed alongside @Leonardo Gareri, another University of Leeds Laidlaw scholar I met last year. As an unseasoned rock-climber myself, our conversations outlasted the capacity of my forearms to take on more V2s. We encouraged each other to take on a harder difficulty… with little luck. I met some of his buddies and shared travel and school updates. LATER that evening, I grabbed a pint with Anushka, Grace, and @Emma Rowland, ANOTHER Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Leeds. Her mention of Wales brought back fond memories of my trip to Llandudno last year. Following our night, the party quickly turned to business.
On June 10th, the 2026 University of Leeds Undergraduate Research Conference commenced. With my bags packed for departure, I made my way to the welcome and keynote panel. I listened to @Vaibhav Pramode Nair’s wisdom, and after hearing about his affiliation with Laidlaw, we had to connect. In the following presentation sessions, I learned all about translation, shame, trains, feminism, criminal punishment, agriculture, poetry, and so much more. I built on last summer’s research in the community engagement panel, promoting positive research relationships, especially within smaller communities around Leeds. In the poster session, I was lucky to have many interested participants give their time to hear about my “Social Justice Photography for a Stronger Seacroft” project. My poster was relatively easy to craft - the research participants from Seacroft had taken the pictures and outlined the takeaways for me not long ago! Thank you again to the University of Leeds Undergraduate Research Team for a wonderful conference experience.
Vaibhav and I had a valuable conversation regarding the future of sustainability and Save Soil on the way to the train station - which would’ve been much less stressful if I hadn’t forgotten my bag! A speedwalk and a couple of long stairwells later, I Ubered to the station and barely made my train to London, all bags included. On arrival, Dr. Vasiliki Kioupi, my lovely research advisor from last year, met me at the very American Shake Shack for a burger. We caught up on everything: commuting, Greek food, secret identities, sustainability projects, travel, and more. I’m so thankful to Duke’s Laidlaw Scholars program for connecting me with such a leader to conduct my research with. The morning after, Heathrow took me home.
Last summer’s stipend did not cover this summer’s travel, but I want to appreciate the Laidlaw Foundation and Duke University’s Laidlaw Scholars Program for providing me with the connections and experiences worth traveling back for. I didn’t think I’d be back this quickly, so “until next time” may be sooner than I expect. Best of luck to all the Duke scholars conducting their research in Leeds who have arrived since my departure!