Hello! My name is James McLean, and I am currently pursuing an integrated master’s program in Physics at the University of Leeds. My research project , in the realm of Bio-nano-Physics , focuses on an imaging technique known as mass photometry, which aims to observe the landing sites of polysaccharides without the necessity for external markers. My passion for applied physics is diverse, stretching from the medical field to aerospace and aeronautical engineering. I am actively involved with the Leeds University Rocketry Association (LURA), where we aim to break the UKRA amateur University record . Additionally, I have a keen interest in pure physics, drawing inspiration from groundbreaking research at institutions like CERN. I am eager to connect with other ambitious and determined individuals who are committed to leveraging scientific innovation to benefit society and humanity. Let’s collaborate to make a significant impact!

I am currently a undergraduate student at the University of Leeds pursuing a degree in International Business. With the Laidlaw Scholarship I have participated in two leadership development residentials with the Laidlaw team at Leeds along with my cohort. My research project was titled "Exploring the Most Efficient Mapping Techniques and Platform to Map Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"  which was a insightful exploration of curriculum mapping and the possibilities for artificial intelligence to assist within the mapping process. My Leadership-in-Action was with make_sense americas & Rennueva taking place in Mexico City over 6-weeks, with a focus on climate impact. My team focused on implementing improvements to the companies website such as displaying the amount of carbon saved through the amount of plastic donated.

Hello! My name is Leyla and I’m a first year student at the University of Leeds studying Biomedical Sciences. I have a keen interest in pharmacology as well as science and public health communication. This summer I will be working on a project titled: The Development of Public Engagement Materials for the Pharmacology Degree Programme. This focuses on exploring the public’s understanding of pharmacology and prospective student’s expectations of the subject in order to create resources that improve public awareness of pharmacology. Outside of academics, I enjoy travelling, reading, hiking and spending time outdoors. If you would like to chat, whether about pharmacology, public health communication or otherwise, I am happy to connect!

Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a first year undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying French and Italian. This summer I will undertake research for the project 'Listening to Feminist Art Histories: Researching and Sharing Voices from the FAMH Oral History Archive'. The Feminist Art Making Histories digital archive consists of interviews with artists, curators, and writers in the UK and Ireland from the 1970s onwards, exploring the relation between feminism and art. My findings will form part of Dr Elspeth Mitchell and the FAMH team's wider work of foregrounding the experiences of women artists in an engaging and accessible way to the public. My interest in intersectional feminism and of the importance of representation drew me towards this project, and I'm looking forward to engaging with feminst art histories with the FAMH. As a Modern Languages student and a native Welsh speaker, I'm passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication. I'm particularly interested in the way languages shape identities and build communities. Outside of my studies I enjoy reading, running, baking and travelling. I'm excited to begin my journey of research and leadership as a Laidlaw Scholar as well as connecting with other Scholars across the Global Network!

Hi, I'm an undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at the University of Leeds. I have a nascent yet keen interest in AI ethics and the green economy, and I am fascinated about how these will shape the global political landscape in years to come.  My research focuses on how to make community voices truly heard – placing them at the heart of discussion and providing them with the tools to champion and facilitate local projects. I am proud advocate for community power: with the world at times feeling as alienated as ever, our communities and networks grow even more vital. I am indebted to the communities I grew up in, and they undoubtedly shaped who I am today.  I have a passion for filmmaking and run music events in Leeds and London, collaborating with some of my favourite DJs. I also love running and the outdoors, and want to see as much of the world as I can. 

Nice to meet you! I'm a first-year economics student at the University of Leeds and a proud member of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort. My interests lie in ethical frameworks and how they define economies. I'm currently reading Mencius, and I'd love to discuss it with anyone who's familiar with Confucianism. During my summer research, I will be working alongside Anastasia Asres to evaluate the compliance of a selection of firms in the UK to dimensions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 using computational methods. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing piano, walking my dog and going to the arcade or bowling with my friends. I'm also learning Mandarin and hope to spend a year in Hangzhou as part of my undergraduate degree. I'm excited to be here, and hope I get to exchange knowledge and ideas with as many people as possible!

Hello everyone! I am a first year Natural Sciences student at the University of Leeds, and I am interested in pursuing a career in research. I'm currently studying Physics, Chemistry and Maths and am fascinated by the practical applications of sciences and how they can help others.  My Laidlaw research project is focused on the defluoridation of groundwater via an ion exchange process. I hope to be able to take my research and implement it in Tanzania to provide a sustainable water source for people in Arusha.  

Hello! I’m Jess, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in sustainable development, climate‑resilient design, and the role of engineering in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m particularly motivated by how infrastructure can be designed to support communities and contribute to a more sustainable future. This summer, I’ll be working on CO2 Battery: Turning CO2 to Power with Professor Fang at HKU. I’m still at the early stages of the project, but I’m excited to explore emerging approaches to carbon utilisation and the potential for converting CO₂ into usable energy. I’m looking forward to contributing to research that sits at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and low‑carbon technologies. Outside of academics, I really enjoy going climbing and going on long walks/hikes. When I am not outdoors, though, I will probably be watching a k-drama in my room to relax.  Please get in touch to talk about anything engineering or sustainability related, or if you have a good k-drama recommendation!

Hi! I'm Radiyat, a Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Leeds. I'm extremely interested in healthcare inequality and what it compromises, patient advocacy, and improving experiences within the UK healthcare system. My research focuses on Catgorical thinking (the tendecy to make assumptions based on race, diagnosis, or racial stereotypes) as an issue in the treatment and lived experience of those with Sickle Cell Disease within the UK healthcare systems and wider society.  I aim to centre the voices of patients themselves, exploring how bias, misunderstanding, and systemic inequalities can affect pain management, trust in healthcare professionals, and access to quality care. Outside of research. I love staying active through badminton and going out on walks/hiking with freinds. I enjoy playing videogames and discussing politics 😊!  Please reach out to me If you'd like to talk about health equity, and ensuring underrepresented communities are genuinely heard within medical research and policy discussions. Or even to speak about new videogames or places to walk!

Please sign the petition and email your MP to oppose the new EHRC ban on transgender people being permitted in single sex spaces. This is a move towards erasing trans people from public life and a severe human rights violation. Links can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/760382#main-content?utm_campaign=button_list_Signthepetition&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio https://equalrecognition.eaction.org.uk/rejectthecode?utm_campaign=button_list_EmailyourMP&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio I am a Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate student at the University at Leeds, with an interest in bodily autonomy, transgender rights, and experiences of social marginalisation. I am passionate about social research, heritage, and dispelling pseudo-scientific misinformation. I intend to create a dissertation exploring how to combat the negative effects of discriminatory media campaigns on trans rights in the UK. I am currently participating in the Laidlaw Research Programme to bring a creative approach to the historical collections of the Royal Armouries.

Hey! I'm Grace, a second-year natural sciences student at the University of Leeds.  I have a deep curiosity at the intersection between Chemistry and Environmental science. Specifically, I am captivated by sustainable catalysis research, where I envisage helping to find innovative catalysis solutions that don't exploit the planets most scarce resources. My summer research is part of the 'sustainable curriculum' initiative, exploring the intersection of AI and sustainability education.

Hello! I'm a third year Biology student at the University of Leeds and I'm part of the 2024 Scholars cohort. I'm currently on an industrial placement working in digital marketing, looking to build expertise in the sustainable health tech space.  I have been trying to figure people out for a long time and I thought what better way than to explore the wonders of neuroscience in my first year research project!?  I'm looking forward to my upcoming LiA with the Timothy Smith Network in Boston, USA. I'm looking forward to working with students of all ages to teach and inspire them about the intersections of biology and technology.  I'm also a member of the 2026 Undergraduate Laidlaw Advisory Board, where I hope to provide strategic advice and improvements to the Laidlaw programme to ensure future scholars can thrive.  If you want to chat about books, the economic/political state of the world right now, or just life - feel free to drop me a message! :)