Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and recently finished a Master’s in Anthropology, both at UCL.  I am your go-to person for questions regarding alumni engagement and the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio or a yoga class. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.

Hello! I recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology Research from the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about youth mental health and how humour can be used to support resilience after adversity. My Summer 1 research project explored the relationship between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation — deepening my understanding of the psychological impacts of early trauma. In Summer 2, I led a Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated a comedy-based mental health program for teens. That experience led me to found HaHaHelps — an organization that uses improv comedy to support youth mental health through accessible, community-led workshops. I am currently conducting a feasibility study of the program in South Africa as part of my master’s dissertation in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, with plans to expand to more communities globally. Please feel free to connect :) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younessrobert-tahiri Email: youness@hahahelps.org

Hi! My name is Ashley, and I am currently a second-year student at Duke University studying Public Policy and Global Health with an interest in a Health Policy Certificate. I am passionate about advancing ethical, evidence-based solutions at the intersection of health, environment, and social equity. I also find interest in conducting research focused on ethical decision-making and inclusive research practices that better serve underrepresented communities. My experiences across public health, communications, and community engagement have shaped my interest in using policy to promote social responsibility and health equity.

A global community that connects engaged citizens, entrepreneurs and organizations to build an inclusive and sustainable society together. Through the re_action for impact programme, scholars take part in a six-week full-time summer experience with local partners to mobilise communities and deliver concrete actions on social and environmental challenges. Explore toolkits, videos and past scholar reflections: https://laidlawscholars.network/rooms/make_sense-re_action? Country focus In Mexico City, scholars work at the intersection of climate change and its social impacts and gender violence. You’ll partner with grassroots organisations to enhance urban resilience (e.g., water management, equitable adaptation) and to support community-driven initiatives that empower women and advance gender equity. Expect deep field immersion, co-design with local partners, and leading volunteer teams to test concrete solutions.

The Border Community Alliance (BCA) provides immersive, educational experiences in the U.S.–Mexico borderlands, centred on Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora. Its programmes explore the region’s histories, cultures, and policy realities while dispelling common myths about life at the border. Learn more at https://bordercommunityalliance.org/ Responsibilities & Ideal Background Support community immersion and learning through activities such as language/translation, attending and helping facilitate educational talks and site visits, and assisting with light coordination and outreach. A good fit is someone with at least intermediate Spanish and a strong curiosity about border issues. Interests in art, history, politics, migration, economics, and related fields are helpful. You should be open-minded, respectful in diverse community settings, and comfortable learning across perspectives. LiA Champion Our LiA Champion is Allie Schlicht. Curious about this project but not sure where to start? Allie can share candid insights from their experience—what the work involved, skills that proved useful, and pointers for exploring a good fit. You can contact Allie directly at ars395@georgetown.edu. You can also view her profile here: https://laidlawscholars.network/users/aliyah-schlicht Organisation Contacts If you’d like to reach the Border Community Alliance about potential placements or programme details, you can contact: Celia Bavier, Executive Director – cbavier@bordercommunityalliance.org Amy Tice, Borderlands Ambassador Program Supervisor – amytice@bordercommunityalliance.org