It is only fitting that a leading university offers a prestigious course in leadership. The Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship at the University of York equips self-motivated and ambitious undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills and experience to become leaders in their chosen fields.
I am an impassioned student deeply engaged in the multifaceted realm of social and political science. At the heart of my academic pursuits lies an ardent exploration of critical theory, where scholars like Foucault, Fanon, Mbembe, Tyler and Rodney build transformative insights.
My scholarly interests are wide-ranging, encompassing a nuanced understanding of anti-colonialism and its enduring impact on global dynamics. The urgency of global issues fuels my exploration of global apartheid and necropolitics, where I scrutinise the intersections of power, race, and sovereignty in our interconnected world. My current extracurricular focuses are drug policy and refugee rights, through an intersectional lens with issues of race, class, and disability being considered. In the realm of disability studies, my focus extends to unravelling societal constructs that perpetuate ableism, pushing the boundaries of inclusivity and accessibility in my research. Simultaneously, I delve into the intricate dynamics of capital, exploring economic disparities and the role of capitalism in shaping global power structures.
When envisioning my future, I aspire to be the head researcher at a non-governmental organisation (NGO), where I can translate my academic passion into impactful initiatives, contributing meaningfully to social justice causes and transformative change.
Hi, currently, I am working with Timothy Smith Network as an instructor in Boston, MA. My research was about the relation between sport entertainment industry on adults’ (sport fans) engagement in physical activity. I am majoring in accounting and minoring in finance at the University of Hong Kong. Please reach out if you want to discuss.
I am in the early stages of a career in the Film & Television industry. I am currently studying Film & Television Production BSc (Hons) at the University of York. I have always had a passion for everything Film & Television, it has long been my dream to enter this industry. I have directed and been involved in numerous professional-standard short films. My productions can be viewed on my OTHstudios YouTube channel, which holds hundreds of subscribers and thousands of views. I recently completed my A-Level study at York College with Film Studies, Media Studies, Business Studies, Drama and the Extended Project Qualification receiving A*, A*, A, A, B. I enjoy fast-paced professional environments, and look forward to developing my skills as much as possible in the future.
Hiya! 👋
My name is Will and I am a student at the University of York studying Politics and International Relations. My Laidlaw research project looks at the extent governments are punished for the handling of the Covid pandemic and how governments utilise blame avoidance strategies.
I enjoy mountaineering around the UK and getting involved in youth politics such as with the British Youth Council and similar institutions. My passions would fall into having a love of reading and learning new things focusing on topics of self-development and psychology.
Second year Economics/Philosophy undergraduate at University of York. My Laidlaw project is exploring the ethical and socioeconomic implications of the metaverse. I am working part-time as a Student Ambassador conducting access and outreach programmes for disadvantaged students. I'm seeking summer internships and work experience in HR and applied philosophy sectors.
My name is Alessia and I am going into my 3rd Year of Psychology at the University of York. I am currently researching action perception and how autism can impact it. In my free time, I like to delve deeper into the human-computer interaction and the future of AI, as well as topics in marketing and global competitiveness.
I am a final-year undergraduate scholar pursuing a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Linguistics at the University of York. Besides being a scholar, I am the Arts and Humanities Subject Lead on the Scholar's Network and the 2020-22 Arts and Humanities faculty rep at the University of York! My first summer of research was based in phonetics, entitled 'The untapped potential of human language: Investigating the perception of typologically unattested and rare sounds'. In it, I get to look at phonemes that are not commonly found in speech, if at all!
My Leadership in Action project was based around the experiences of students with disabilities and long-term health conditions when accessing Higher Education in the UK. I'm currently creating teacher training based on the paper I wrote for this project, and working with UCAS to help inform UK university admissions policy.
Hi! My name is Sinead, I'm a third year medical student at Trinity College Dublin. My research investigates the innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2. I am passionate about all things healthcare-related, in particular immunology and infectious disease!
Serra Muftu
North American Chapter President of the Laidlaw Scholars Program, Tufts University
I am a senior at Tufts University and a Laidlaw Scholars Program Alumni. In June 2020 I transitioned into the position of North American Chapter President where I coordinate panels and discussions among the wider scholars network. At Tufts, I am studying intergenerational instability of trinucleotide repeats in DNA using a homologous recombination assay in Drosophila to look at the genetic underpinnings of how Huntington's Disease is passed from parent to progeny. I am also pursuing an independent project investigating the potential role of Polymerase Delta Interacting Protein 2 in switching from replicative to translesion synthesis pathways in response to DNA damage.
I'm an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto double majoring in Neuroscience and Visual Arts.
For my Laidlaw research project, I joined the Iscove lab in the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to characterize the cell surface antigens on leukemic stem cells in a HOXB4-transgene-dependent leukemia model maintained in mice.
In the future, I am interested in working on research projects that combine neurobiology and immunology.
Hi! My names saeeda and my research is focused on conducting experiments to further understand change blindness and attention. I'm excited to contribute to psychology and work alongside future/current leaders.
Hi, I'm Polina and I'm a Biochemstry student at the University of St Andrews. I am interested in the properties of enzymes and mechanism of biocatalysis. It is really exciting to be part of the Laidlaw Network. I had the most amazing summer in my life last year, doing research in MacNeill Lab, St Andrews. Looking forward to my second summer as a Scholar, which I will spend volunteering in Ghana.
I'm a third-year biology student at the University of York. I'm originally from Switzerland but came to the UK to continue my studies! I am particularly interested in human and medical biology. My Laidlaw research project focuses on the C-terminus of the Tmem184b protein that is involved in neurodegeneration. I aspire to be a great leader and a strong woman who can lead her team towards the goals we want to achieve!
I am a science fan who gets her inspiration from stories. On my previous journeys volunteering and traveling around the world, I've met people who opened my mind to the greatest things and biggest issues of their communities. Sometimes those stories make me feel sad and worried, but many times, they inspire and urge me to imagine, innovate, and create changes using my own tools of science and technology.
Hello! I am a third year student studying chemistry at the University of York.
For my research project, I'm interested in ring expansion cascade reactions and how we can effectively synthesise their starting materials.
I'm looking forward to becoming an effective leader who can make a positive impact in whatever industry I end up in, and inspire more women to pursue careers in STEM subjects.
I also love yoga, reading and art history.
Hello! I'm Aoife and I'm a 3rd year Chemistry student at Trinity College Dublin with an interest in material chemistry and climate action.
My research project investigated the development of natural, sustainable materials to be used in CO2 capture.
Laidlaw Research and Leadership Scholar. Fourth year undergraduate student at Durham university, studying for a Master's in physics and chemistry. The research has two strands. Firstly, to model the physical interactions between two membrane-bound organelles which are separated by a droplet (a droplet is defined as a membrane-less organelle herein). Secondly, to model the formation of droplets on flexible membranes. A joint approach of mathematical theory and computational modelling is being applied. The computational model is coded using the Python programming language. It is anticipated that the first research strand will determine whether membrane-bound organelles can be glued together by droplets, thereby providing a non-specific membrane adhesion mechanism. Comprehension of this mechanism is crucial for understanding how cells organise and function. A report on this strand (carried out in summer 2019) has not been published as this research has not yet obtained results. However, this work will be continued by a PhD student starting autumn 2020. The second strand will investigate the feasibility of droplet formation on intracellular surfaces, thereby challenging the current paradigm that droplet formation is not a surface phenomenon. This work will be further developed by a Masters student starting autumn 2020. This research will provide a quantitative insight into cellular organisation and function, which may have important consequences in better understanding how to treat diseases of the brain due to ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of my studies I enjoy board-games, hill-walking and science outreach.
Hello, my name is Michael and I'm a recent Zoology graduate from Trinity College Dublin.
My Laidlaw research investigated factors contributing to the transmission of avian influenza to farmed poultry. And I completed my Leadership in Action project with Think Pacific on the Environment & Sustainability programme in Rarabasaga, Fiji. I'm delighted to remain a part of the Laidlaw community and am as excited as ever to get to know many of you! My current research interests are in freshwater ecosystem responses to multiple stressor effects. But really anything!