In this blog post, I will discuss my reflections as I approach the end of my time as a Laidlaw Scholar. I have broken down this post into two key parts, one focusing on the international components of Laidlaw and my takeaways and the other on ethics and ethical leadership. I have also included a section sharing my gratitude for the program and those I have met as a scholar.

International Focus: Vastness as a Contradiction in Leadership

              There have been international components in both of my summers as a Laidlaw Scholar. In my research project, I read literature, both memoirs and academic articles, from authors living around the world. As a part of my Leadership in Action project, I met with a researcher from CAPS, an autism-peer support specialist program out of the Philadelphia Autism Project. On a larger scale, I am studying at Trinity as an international student from the United States. These experiences have shown me the importance of engaging on a global level, whether through consulting works from authors or learning about community programmes in different countries. As a final-year university student, I am grappling with decisions about my career, further education, and where to live. At times, in making these decisions, I have felt overwhelmed with just how large the world feels, a concept highlighted throughout the Laidlaw Scholars Programme. Through this programme and my reflections on life after university, I have realized that the vastness of the world poses a contradiction in how to approach leadership. On one hand, realizing how large the world is, how much work there is to be done, and how much there is to learn, feels intimidating, astounding. On the other hand, opportunities to engage internationally are an incredible privilege and have played a significant component in my development at university. As such, the Laidlaw Scholars Programme has reinforced my desire to work and study internationally, to build community, and to learn from the lived experiences of individuals across the globe. My research on autistic women and work with peer support groups has revealed to me that equitable disability policy and research is a worldwide effort and associated projects and works have formed an international community. The diversity of experiences brought to this topic benefits efforts towards inclusivity and fosters understanding. Embracing this feature of my interests has allowed me to learn a great deal from a range of individuals and informed my approach to research and leadership moving forwards.

Ethics: Altruism, Research, and Responsibility

What is unique about this program is that it champions the diversity of interests and experiences across participating Scholars and pushes students to think altruistically while pursuing topics they are passionate about. Whether studying science or arts, working in a lab or library, our work has consequences. And although these may appear minimal in our role as undergraduates, I have found, through this program, that the scale of a project does not absolve one from engaging with it ethically. One interview, one report, or one discussion with a supervisor can have a positive or negative impact, and it is our responsibility, as students who have the privilege to engage in this programme, to ensure we are engaging thoughtfully.  Through my experience applying for ethics clearance for my research project and planning my LiA project, I have learned the importance of thinking critically and considering all stakeholders.

Extending Thanks

The Laidlaw Scholars program has afforded me the opportunity to explore research, engage in meaningful work, and develop my career and leadership goals, which I am incredibly grateful for. Throughout my time as a scholar, I have been surrounded by a cohort of energized and thoughtful students and have worked with insightful, inspiring, and patient mentors. My Laidlaw projects and growth would not have been possible without this community. The challenges and expectations associated with both of my summers as a Scholar have taught me the importance of asking for help, learning from the expertise of supervisors, and approaching difficulties with open-mindedness and creativity. I want to use this space to thank my supervisors, fellow scholars, and Laidlaw coordinators at Trinity for making this programme so fulfilling, supportive, and empowering. I plan to carry the lessons I have learned through this programms forwards in my final year of university and beyond.