When deciding to apply for the Laidlaw scholarship, I was initially enticed by the research aspect and apprehensive about leadership. I have always considered myself as someone who works better behind the scenes, as opposed to a leadership position. However, through the scholarship I have improved my self-confidence massively. Prior to beginning the scholarship, I had brushed off every opportunity to speak in front of a crowd. By the end of my LiA, I had attended board meetings, a staff day involving a drama class, and addressed a room of 100 students and staff. Through the continuous support of laidlaw staff, university academics and the structure of the programme itself, I have found myself far more capable than I expected. 

Through both of my projects, I was required to work collaboratively with others. In my first project, research into widening participation students’ university experiences, I worked closely with academics within my department. This was beneficial as it allowed me insight into the inner workings of research. I developed an understanding that research is not a lone venture as I had imagined, but a collaborative effort. It requires flexibility, understanding, the implementation of constructive feedback, and most importantly, leadership attributes. 

During my leadership in action, I opted to conduct a research project at Trinity College Dublin focusing on the impact summer schools have upon the confidence of students entering higher education. TCD kindly allowed me to attend their summer school, run by Trinity Access Programmes (TAP). This experience was highly collaborative. Through working with the TAP team, as well as the interns, I was able to develop more effective and applicable surveys than I would have been able to alone. Additionally, their knowledge and experiences were paramount to my understanding of Irish education.

On top of this, I was able to contribute to their summer programme in more practical terms. Working with two ambassadors specifically, we were able to encourage the participation of shyer students, assist students in finding their classrooms, ensure students had lunch, and many more elements I had not considered. Collaboration in this sense was essential, communication between ambassadors highlighted which students may need more assistance, and areas where we could improve. 

I sincerely hope that I have had a positive impact on the communities I have interacted with. Whether that be through my research, which has highlighted the importance of widening participation students in universities, and the cruciality of summer schools in allowing these students opportunity. Or my participation in the summer school, in which I interacted directly with these students. 

On my final day of the summer school, a student who had been chosen to speak in front of the cohort confided in me that she was too nervous. I explained to her my own nerves talking to a crowd and reassured her that although scary, it is worthwhile. When she addressed the cohort, which she did beautifully and confidently, she thanked myself and the student ambassadors for encouraging her. That is the type of impact I would like to carry forward.