Leadership in Action Central Projects 2027 - NOW OPEN!
š Central LiA Projects: Learn, Collaborate, Lead
Leadership-in-Action is an opportunity to put leadership into practice through meaningful collaboration, learning, and real-world experience.
For Scholars interested in contributing to an established initiative, the Laidlaw Foundation has partnered with three organisations to offer Central Leadership-in-Action (LiA) Projects for Summer 2027, open to Scholars across all Laidlaw universities.
Each project offers the opportunity to engage with the ongoing work of a partner organisation, contribute to its existing initiatives, and develop your leadership skills through hands-on experience. Spanning different areas of focus, from education and conservation to technology access and social innovation, these projects provide opportunities to learn from experienced organisations, work collaboratively, and gain new perspectives.
š Explore the links beneath each project to learn more about the opportunities, what to expect, and how to apply.
š” Key Information & Dates
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Applications are now open! Central LiA Project applications opened on Thursday 15 October.
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Wednesday 18 November, 1-2pm and 5-6pm GMT: Join us for the Virtual LiA Fair to meet our Central LiA Project partners, hear from Scholars about their Independent LiA experiences, and ask any questions you may have. Click here to register!
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Thursday 3 December, 5pm GMT: Central LiA Project applications close.
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December-January: Selection and admissions.
Please note:
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You can only apply to ONE Central LiA Project at a time.
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If you accept a place on a project, we expect you to honour that commitment.
š± Exploring other LiA opportunities?
If none of the Central LiA Projects feels like the right fit, there are other options to explore! We'll soon be announcing our Sustainable Lead LiA Projects, which offer small-group opportunities with guidance and support from a Laidlaw alum throughout the experience.
In the meantime, why not explore our LiA Directory? It features organisations recommended by Scholars that are keen to welcome more Laidlaw Scholars for Independent LiA projects. We'll also be adding more organisations over the coming weeks, so be sure to check back for new opportunities!
make_sense is an international organisation that brings people together to address social and environmental challenges through collective action. Through its re_action for impact programme, Scholars have the opportunity to work alongside local organisations and communities, combining field research, collaboration, and practical project development to contribute to locally led initiatives.
2027 LiA Opportunities:
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Mexico: Gender perspectives or climate change
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Colombia: Creative industries and social innovation
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France: Marine biodiversity, ageing well or sustainable food
Interested in applying? Explore the 2027 LiA opportunities and find out how to apply!
The Kasiisi Project works to support education, health, and conservation in communities surrounding Kibale National Park in western Uganda. Through its Ugandan partner, the Kibale Forest Schools Program, Scholars have the opportunity to work alongside local teams, contributing to established initiatives that strengthen school and community health, promote environmental education, and support conservation efforts.
2027 LiA Opportunities:
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School and Village Health: Supporting health education, hygiene initiatives, and community health programmes.
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Conservation Education: Supporting environmental education, community engagement, and conservation activities.
Interested in applying? Explore the 2027 LiA opportunities and find out how to apply!
The Timothy Smith Network is a Boston-based non-profit organisation dedicated to expanding access to technology education and career opportunities, particularly for communities underrepresented in the technology sector. Through its Boston Design Academy, Scholars have the opportunity to support hands-on learning programmes for young people, developing their leadership, teaching, and communication skills while contributing to the organisation's ongoing work.
2027 LiA Opportunities:
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Digital Design Intensive: Supporting instruction in digital design, 3D modelling, website development, and other creative technologies.
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Tech Your Health: Supporting students in exploring health technologies, coding, and designing innovative health-related products.
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Elevating Agricultural Technology: Supporting hands-on learning in urban agriculture, coding, and technology-based solutions for food production.
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Marketing and Communications: Supporting digital content creation, storytelling, outreach, and communications for the Boston Design Academy.
Interested in applying? Explore the 2027 LiA opportunities and find out how to apply!
Hi! I'm Amanda, a third year Neuroscience student and Laidlaw alum from UCL. I'm Swedish-Persian and grew up in Sweden before moving to London for uni. These days, alongside my studies, I work for the Foundation as a Marketing Assistant.
For my first year research project, I worked on optimising alginate hydrogels for 3D astrocyte culture systems. In simpler terms, I was figuring out the best way to prepare a jelly-like scaffolds so that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes could grow in three dimensions rather than flat on a dish. This matters because 3D environments mimic the brain more realistically, which could help researchers develop better treatments for neurological disorders!
For my Leadership-in-Action project, I co-created Beyond the Books, a resource designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the unwritten rules of university life, from internships and networking to professional opportunities that aren't always obvious if you're the first in your family to go to uni.
Always happy to connect, whether you want to chat about neuroscience, widening access, the Laidlaw experience, or just say hello! One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people from different universities and backgrounds, so please do reach out! š
