A hardworking and dependable young professional, experienced across leading media companies in the UK & US including The Walt Disney Company. Seeking opportunities as a production coordinator and aspiring to become a producer.

Hello everyone! I'm Sarah (she/her) and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student in Philosophy at the University of St Andrews. I am particularly interested in the applications of philosophy to social and political issues, and how we can use philosophical arguments to inform policy decisions. As such, my research project concerned the appropriateness of belief and doubt in cases of sexual assault and the implications for university and legal policy. For my Leadership-in-Action, I conducted an evaluation of a sexual violence prevention education programme run by an NGO in Auckland, New Zealand

Future midwife and neuroscientist.

My name is Ruby Palin. I am a second-year undergraduate student at Durham University studying BSc Biological Sciences. This is my favourite quote from a biologist... “The known is finite, the unknown is infinite; intellectually we stand on an islet in the midst of an illimitable ocean of inexplicability…our business in every generation is to reclaim a little more land” –Thomas Henry Huxley, Evolutionary biologist.

Hi I'm Peter, I'm a third year engineering student with a passion for electricity and lighting things on fire (with electricity). My research project focuses on using microwaves (The same EM waves that heat your food, yes!) for breast cancer detection. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide, and early detection and diagnosis is highlighted by the World Health Organization as a key priority. Currently the only way to detect and diagnose breast cancer is with X-Ray mammography, which is incredibly costly and isn't suitable for younger women due to high radiation exposure. In contrast, microwave-based breast imaging systems can be operated in local clinics and doctors’ surgeries worldwide, improving access to potentially life-saving breast cancer screening for women of all ages world-wide. I hope to contribute to this area of research by modelling different microwave antenna arrays to find optimum configurations that can provide clinical grade images for doctors to quickly diagnose breast cancer.

As a junior double-majoring in Women's Menstrual Health and Computer Science, I've embarked on a path of self-discovery, delving into the complexities of women's health and its intricate connections to diverse cultures and dietary practices. My research delves into the cross-cultural implications of diet on women's menstrual health, aiming to shed light on the often-overlooked nuances of global health disparities. Growing up amidst the vibrant tapestry of Iranian and American cultures, I developed a keen awareness of how lifestyle choices profoundly impact our overall health and well-being. Inspired by this realization, I aspires to make a positive impact on the women's health industry, bridging research gaps and mitigating the discrepancies that hinder advancements in this field. My passion for menstrual health and nutrition led me to establish Aunt Flo's Kitchen, a startup dedicated to revolutionizing menstrual health through the creation of innovative snacks that naturally counteract the nutritional deficiencies causing period cramps. This entrepreneurial endeavor was born out of my research at the Laidlaw Scholars program, where I conducted an IRB-approved clinical trial under the supervision of Dr. Marla Lujan during my first summer. My second summer at Samphire Neuroscience, a FemTech startup founded by visionary researchers from Harvard and Oxford, further reinforced my commitment to addressing the critical issue of women's health. At Samphire, I gained invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and women's health, solidifying my belief in the transformative power of innovation to improve the lives of women worldwide. The Laidlaw Scholars program has played a pivotal role in shaping my life and career trajectory. It has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose, nurtured my entrepreneurial spirit, and equipped me with the tools necessary to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women. I am forever grateful for the transformative experience the Laidlaw program has provided, and I am committed to carrying forward its values of innovation, social impact, and community engagement as I pursue my passion for women's menstrual health and entrepreneurship. The Laidlaw Program has truly changed my life, and I hope it does the same to other scholars reading this. I am always eager to lend a helping hand and am committed to providing support wherever it is needed, so please do not hesitate to reach me at aaj34@cornell.edu.

Hello! I am a student strongly interested in the intersection of engineering, healthcare, and social justice. Having worked extensively in both the biomedical research and healthcare activism spheres, I believe in the power of technology to improve access to healthcare and STEM education. I am currently a Tradition Fellow and Laidlaw Scholar at Cornell University.

Hello! I'm Maxine and I am a 2022 Laidlaw scholar at the University of Leeds. I am currently studying Biology, but I am eager to gain expertise beyond my area of study. After my first year in the course, I have had a growing fascination in the applications of biotechnology as solutions to contemporary issues.  For my research project, I am looking at the role of higher education institutions in the management of electronic waste. Electronic waste ("e-waste") includes items such as phones, screen projectors, keyboards, circuits, wires, and many other types of lab equipment. In this research I hope to investigate the policies and practices implemented at the University of Leeds, and potentially explore what actions can and should be taken to improve e-waste management and sustainability education in our community. This research project is of particular interest to me because I have previously pursued other e-waste related activities and I know I have a passion for it. The management of e-waste is a truly relevant issue in our modern, electrified world, yet I find that it is still quite the niche interest where opportunities to be involved are still lacking in our communities. What first truly alerted me to the pressing reality of our e-waste issue was my participation in a service initiative called 'Repair Kopitiam' in Singapore. I hosted training sessions and raised awareness in my school and local community about the e-waste issue. My efforts were rewarded by an oversubscription to the service the following year. I had the honour of enlisting new female members despite having no other girls in the service before I enlisted. Considering electrical engineering is a male dominated field, this was an especially significant achievement for me because it showed that we have expanded our reach to the point that other girls were emboldened to participate in a service that taught a valuable life skill and confronted a topical issue.

I am an MMath Mathematics student at the University of St Andrews, focusing on Applied Maths and Statistics. I have long been passionate about Mathematics, History, and Languages, studying Russian alongside my Mathematics degree. I also care strongly about education, dedicating much of my time to tutoring different levels of Mathematics to various children and teens of different ages. Through Laidlaw, I have recognised that my key strengths of confidence, communication, and curiosity can be applied to leadership and that there is no archetypal leader. 

Dan-Thi is an enthusiastic professional with +8 years of work experience in strategic marketing, business development and communication within the higher education industry. She currently works at EPFL as a Project Manager for the School enhanced learning programs (incl. the Laidlaw program). Dan-Thi likes all aspects related to her position but what she especially loves is interacting with students and helping them grow personally and professionally. Dan-Thi has lived in fast-paced environments in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan) and she is now based in Lausanne, Switzerland. She enjoys travelling and always looks for discovering new cultures. She can speak French, English and Vietnamese. You can talk with her about anything regarding food, sport and travel. She is a really bad swimmer and has absolutely no green thumb! :)

International Business student at the University of Leeds I currently work as a Student Ambassador, a maths tutor, and I have my own little crochet business on the side! My research project 'Imposter syndrome and Sense of belonging' delves into student perceptions of the condition, and the flaws surrounding the measures used to diagnose it.

Martha graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2024 with a First Class Honours in Law and Political Science. Her Summer 1 research project concerned Russian Military Aggression towards Ukraine.  She is passionate about public speaking and debating, which informed her Leadership in Action Project working with the English-Speaking Union (ESU) in London. She also won the 2024 European Universities Debating Championships, becoming the first Irish woman to ever do so.

Philosophy student at UCL researching greenwashing in the fashion industry, with a specific focus on corporate disclosure of water information and water management. 

Adam is a student of Political Science and Geography at Trinity College Dublin and, is a Senior Volunteer with Scouting Ireland.