Tom Burdge

Founder, Researcher and Podcast Host, buddhistphilosophy.co.uk
Riccardo Bonzano

R&D Analyst, Pacific Life Re

Hello! I'm Riccardo, Laidlaw Scholar of the 2019 cohort. I'm passionate about technology and how it can aid our transition to a more ethical and sustainable society. My Undergraduate Scholarship research focused on the  theoretical side of quantum computing: the physics of open dissipative quantum systems. These days, I work as R&D analyst, quantifying financial risk and developing models, tools and processes to extract information from insurance data.
Joel Ndongmi

Student , University of Toronto

I'm a third year student in Political Science and English literature student at the University of Toronto. I'm interested in international development economics, political media, and journalism.
Cath Brislane

2020-2021 Scholar, University of York (Alum)

I am an alumni of the University of York where I received a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature and Linguistics. I was the Arts and Humanities Subject Lead on the Laidlaw Scholar's Network and the 2020-22 Arts and Humanities Undergraduate rep at the University of York.  After graduating from York I went to the University of Oxford to read for an MPhil in Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics. After 2 years of study at Oxford I work full time in a school and also work on the HEnabled podcast, which aims to showcase the experiences of people with disabilities and long-term health conditions within the British Higher Education system. If you study or have studied at a British University and have a disability or long term-health condition, then I would love to have you on as a guest! Email henabled@gmail.com to get in touch. 
Jesse Ng

Laidlaw Scholar 2019 at Leeds University and Hong Kong University, Current PhD Candidate, University of Cambridge

My research looks at the affects and aesthetics of postcolonial Hong Kong art and literature, with an interest in decolonisation and critical cosmopolitanism. My PhD, in particular, examines the popular cultural and western canonical references many Hong Kong cultural forms carry. 
Tyler Campbell

Student Researcher , Columbia University

Tyler Campbell is a writer, media maker, and activist hailing from the city of Philadelphia. He is currently a Junior at Columbia University double majoring in Creative Writing and African- American Studies. Through is work as a poet and organizer Tyler uses his voice to offer analytical insights that aim to elevate the stories of those that often go unseen and unheard. Tyler’s interests include Black cultural politics, urbanity, popular culture, education, and literature. At the heart of all his projects is a commitment to unpacking the nuances of Black life in America as portrayed through art and cultural production while also engaging questions about human intentionality, identities and cultural history At present, Tyler is a Laidlaw Scholars Fellow producing independent research on the relationship between black popular culture and corporal punishment in the black community.
Sanjna Ullal

Student, University of Toronto

Hi! I'm a third year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, doing a double major in Global Health, and Peace, Conflict and Justice studies. Research or career-wise, I'm really interested in improving access to justice for marginalized communities, and thinking about ways in which we can re-conceptualize justice to better suit the needs of these communities. I'm also passionate about women's rights and creating spaces that simultaneously recognize the struggles many women go through, but also highlight their ability to effect change in dynamic ways! It's what inspired me to create this podcast, where I interview women involved in law and activism - if you're interested, you can check out our website here: https://www.waforchange.org/ !
Josephine Lo

Student , The University of Hong Kong

Camilla Persello

Student, Trinity College Dublin

Joshua William Dexter

Chemistry Student, Durham University

About Me Currently about halfway through my Chemistry MChem at Durham University (graduate 2023) and I still love every second of it. I am conducting research into amide bond breaking and forming reactions, and similar mechanisms to try to solve fun and tricky synthetic issues (thanks to Laidlaw). Prior to a Chemistry degree, I worked as charity fundraiser/team leader for 7 years. I have personally raised over £1mil for various charities, and have a huge amount of leadership experience (training and management). I am super friendly, love to learn, happy teaching, and I am keen to make the most out the Laidlaw Foundation. So, feel free to get in touch about anything; whether you are looking to support, be supported, or just discuss. Always on the lookout for good research opportunities and ideas. Main interests include synthetic peptide,and organocatalytic chemistry. Nearing the point where I will start applying for doctoral candidate positions. So, if you think you can offer or direct me to a good fit, I would be very happy to hear from you. Laidlaw Research My planned Laidlaw research aimed to develop a series of trans-amidation reactions using azanides (amino, R2N- anions) to cleave/trans-amidate at amide bonds. During lockdown, these reactions were independently developed elsewhere. I am happy the reactions work, even if someone else got to do the work. Feel free to compare the proposed reactions in the research proposal, published on my profile, with the article they published. [M. Fairley, Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 6500.] Due to Covid, the time spent familiarising myself with this very niche set of reactions afforded a sensible option with an easy transition into a literature review of novel reactions that could be used to solve the synthetic peptoid (R3N-amino acid molecules and polymers) formation issues when bulky/electron-withdrawing residuals on N are used. I had great fun trying to think my way around the problem and the lit. review was passed onto my supervisor and his team to (hopefully) produce literature worthy solutions. Happy to discuss, share findings and collaborate. Just, get in touch. Other Interests I was doing outreach work with children through the university pre-Covid and I am really looking forward to being able to help out again soon. I am a huge sci-fi nerd. I also run 2 student societies and organise events, socials, talks, etc. for each. Both societies have a broad range of aims with activities that support community inclusion, safeguarding, wellbeing and harm-reduction. Future Plans I made the tough choice to suspend my university studies for the 2020-21 academic year as I feel ensuring access to the full MChem experience is too important to miss. I have been taking the opportunity of spare time to engage with private study and develop some peripheral skills to compliment what I learnt in the first 2 years. I will start 3rd year in October.  My second summer with Laidlaw will now be in 2022 and I am hoping that international collaboration will be possible by then. Seeking doctoral training or relevant internship possibilities to start summer 2023. I am very comfortable being contacted to you are welcome to get in touch, and feel free to pass my details on. Research Interests - Innovation of synthetic mechanisms. - Peptides and peptidomimetics. - Organocatalysis.
Lucia Guercio

Student, University of St. Andrews

I am a passionate and enterprising individual about to start her Honours career in Art History at the University of St. Andrews. My main interests are art, literature and public affairs, which I am trying to pursue both at university and in my research "Artistic translations of Dante's Inferno". I am deeply committed to connect my own Italian educational background with the experiences I am making abroad, as it emerges also from my research topic: I advocate for a better understanding of my culture but also a wider integration in a globalised academic environment. I am always looking for opportunities in the art world, with focus on the art market and investment sector, and I am also open to any kind of entrepreneurial programme for young women, since I see my faculty of choice as just a starting point for my future career, rather than a closed sector.
Rebekah Cathcart

Master Student, London School of Economics & Political Science

Aaron Koay

PhD Researcher in Global Health, University College London

I am a PhD researcher in Global Health at University College London. I am also a qualified pharmacist (MPharm and BSc Pharm) with an MSc degree in sociology. My research interests include global health, health inequity, health policy, politics and systems and gender. More details are available here.
Arvo Munoz Moran

Research Analyst, Forethought Foundation for Global Priorities Research

Visit my website https://arvomm.com/
Elif True

Researcher , University of York

Since 2015, I have been passionate about ending poverty in the UK. I began my journey as a campaigner against poverty in my local area with Poverty Ends Now, a young person lead group ran by Children North East. Since then, I have represented the UK in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and other positions of influence with poverty as my main focus point. My Laidlaw Scholarship research project is all about the relationship between language, meaning and poverty. By understanding and changing unhelpful public discourse about poverty, we can start to shift power.
James R. Harrison

Laidlaw Alum, incoming MA-PhD student, Durham University

Final-year Durham student studying Politics; President of Durham Laidlaw Scholars' Organisation; Incoming ESRC-funded MA-PhD student in NINE DTP. My research so far has covered ideological identity in left-wing student activism, examining the interplay of social movement theory and the philosophy of identity, and my general research interests include citizenship education, democratic theory and the occasional bit of political anthropology. Outside of my studies it's mainly twentieth-century literature, cocktails and cooking!
Matthew Fackrell

Laidlaw Undergraduate Research Scholar, Durham University

Anthropology and Sociology Undergraduate; from Bristol, UK. I am completing a research project on narrative transmission and reproduction, looking at how oral accounts of geological events are passed down accurately over generations. By understanding how narratives are constructed I am keen to explore interdisciplinary approaches, particularly between Anthropology, Linguistics, Computer-Human Interaction, and Cognition. Other interests include literature, art and photography, architecture, astronomy, and outdoor pursuits.
Edgar Roberts (he/him)

Student, Durham University

Graduate in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from Durham University. Have conducted research on climate security in the Israeli-Palestinian context. Experience in public speaking in an academic context, journalism, and journalistic editing.
Chiara Maurino

student, Durham

I am passionate about literature and foreign languages. I love creative writing and hope to pursue a career in an artistic field. A lot of my research involved finding out about the horrific military dictatorships in Argentina and Uruguay towards the end of the 20th century. For this reason, I have become really interested in the notion of emotional trauma, how it can leave invisible scars on a population, and how it can haunt a nation. I'm also a huge fan of podcasts and hope to start my own one day! I'm in love with The Poetry Exchange podcast and the BBC Arts and Ideas!
Mostin Hu

2024 MB BChir Graduate, Incoming PhD Candidate, University of St Andrews (BSc Hons 2021), University of Cambridge (Distinction 2024)

Hi there! My name is Mostin Hu and I recently graduated from the University of Cambridge in June 2024 with my MB BChir. I completed the first three years of my medical degree at the University of St Andrews, and my Laidlaw research looked at the impact of intracellular parasites on host cells (it's not as gross as it sounds, I promise!). I am interested in cardiac surgery and am an incoming PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, Dept of Physiology - Cardiovascular Sciences. Outside of medicine and research, my secret indulgences include ballet, baking, sewing, and spending time with my four cats.