Hey, I am an undergraduate student in Modern Foreign Languages (French) and International Relations. I am very interested in other languages and cultures and am interested in deepening my understanding as to how communities interact on a global scale.  My research project is titled 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours' and I will be working alongside my fellow scholar, Thomas O'Rourke, under the supervision of Professor Nina Wardleworth - contributing to the already pre-existing work of Nina and her previous scholars. This research project will aim to further shine a light on and commemorate French colonial citizens for their role in the French (Internal) Resistance. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends, discussing topics, watching the TV, cooking and a bit of friendly competition! Please do not hesitate to get in touch, whether it be for educational reasons or simply for a chat. :)

Hello! I'm Thomas, a second year undergraduate student of Modern Languages (French) and English. My research project is entitled 'Telling the Stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tours'. My findings will form part of Nina Wardleworth's larger ongoing research project involving the commemoration and memory of colonial subjects and citizens in the French (Internal) Resistance. I am particularly drawn to this project's commitment to diversifying the range of stories depicted and its wider efforts to decolonise knowledge.  My other academic interests include language pedagogy, educational equity and French literature. Outside of my studies, I enjoy running, reading and travelling! Feel free to reach out if any of this resonates with your own research or interests :)

My name is Ishaan Jordan, and I am a student at Georgetown University pursuing a major in Government alongside a minor in Tech, Ethics, and Society. Driven by a passion for public service, leadership, and systemic change, my academic and extracurricular focus centers on how policy and emerging technologies intersect to shape a more equitable world. Through the Laidlaw Scholars Program, my primary objective is to conduct research that examines the ethical implications of technology in governance, specifically how algorithmic decision-making impacts civic trust. Furthermore, I am eager to immerse myself in Laidlaw’s leadership development track, refining the skills necessary to lead with integrity, empathy, and clarity. Outside of my academic commitments, I love to stay active and explore the city. I'm a huge fan of the NBA, and I love watching and playing just about any sport. Fitness is a core part of my daily routine, and you can usually find me training at the gym or unwinding by going on long walks to take in nature and clear my head. In my free time, I enjoy trying new coffee shops and restaurants. 

Hi~ My name is Galiya, I'm from Kazakhstan, currently based in Hong Kong. Love learning about different cultures and languages, so if you want to connect and discuss literally anything, hit me up on DMs :D Briefly about my interests and achievements: I am interested in AI ethics and learning science and have built a track record at the intersection of education and AI.  My experience spans teaching, admissions consulting, and content creation in international environments across Kazakhstan, South Korea, Italy, and Hong Kong. I am particularly interested in improving access to global education and how AI is reshaping the traditional forms of education. Currently, I am developing research through the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, focusing on university-level assessment methods in the context of GenAI.

Supporting Laidlaw Scholars at the University of Leeds For more than ten years, I’ve managed the Laidlaw Programme at Leeds, guiding scholars through transformative research projects and leadership development. I’m committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment where students from all backgrounds can explore their potential, challenge themselves, and grow as ethical leaders. I love working with scholars, academics, and partners across the global Laidlaw network to build a community that values curiosity, integrity, and positive change.

Hi everyone! I’m a first-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in biomedical engineering, particularly at the intersection of sustainability and healthcare. I’m also passionate about environmental and energy-related challenges, and I’m eager to explore how engineering and innovation can contribute to more sustainable systems. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow scholars through the Laidlaw Scholars Network, exchanging ideas, and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and ambitions. 😊

Hia! I'm Bethan, but most people know me as Bea. I am going into my third year at the University of St Andrews studying Social Anthropology. My Laidlaw research project explores the power of the Pacific research methodology and cultural storytelling tool of talanoa within the sphere of Pacific climate change discourse. In order to make meaningful change happen on the terms of those most affected by climate change and with some of the greatest history of connections with the ocean, the use of talanoa can be expanded to facilitate culturally appropriate collaboration and effective, meaningful climate change action.  This summer, I am taking my learning to the Pacific for my Leadership in Action project working at Tiapapata Art Centre, Samoa. My work here lends my passion for visual storytelling towards capturing and promoting the phenomenal, ever-developing projects that the art centre runs. As an educational and creative hub dedicated to fostering the continued transmission of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, I hope to co-produce visual media and share real-world stories of the hard but joyous work the art centre puts into preserving traditional Samoan arts and culture.   __ More broadly, my interests lie in environmental and visual anthropology, overall aiming to understand and put into practice how visual storytelling can empower people in the face of our changing climate, and inspire audiences beyond academia to see how interconnected our world is - and the people within it. In bridging the intersection of human experiences and our physical environments, I hope to portray a future that highlights localised solutions to environmental challenges and to make this future empowering and accessible to a wider audience through film. 

Hi! I'm a student in micro-engineering at EPFL, interested in nano-science. I love travelling, biking and film-making.

Hello! My name is Eoin; I am from Southampton in the UK with most of my family being from Ireland. I am currently studying neuroscience at University College London (UCL). It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to become a researcher and I am grateful to have been part of the Laidlaw Scholarship program to help me achieve my dreams.    I spent my first-year research project working at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, under the supervision of Doctor Sarah White. My project investigated the Theory of the Mind as a potential cause of discrimination against individuals with depression. I used an eye-tracking paradigm on human participants as a measure of intergroup bias between depressed and non-depressed participants. The study concluded, contrary to expectations, that Theory of Mind was most implicated in discrimination of non-depressed subjects by depressed subjects.    For my second-year leadership in action project (LiA), I taught primary school children in Zambia while living with the family of the school's headteacher (Mercy Sakala). I chose this project as it was a chance to see the world and experience a different culture. Moreover, it gave me the privilege of teaching some of the most enthusiastic young learners I have ever known. I spent most of my time teaching and helping with the logistics of building a new library for the school. My time in Zambia was made much easier by the kindness of Mercy and her family who were more than accommodating to my needs.    At the moment I am studying in the third year of my Msci neuroscience degree while working on my dissertation. I am more than happy to discuss any topic, whether it regards neuroscience, biosciences more generally, psychology, Laidlaw, or anything you think is pertinent. I generally respond to emails within a day so please message me if you wish. :) 

Star Top Community School is an educational venture in Zambia aiming for academic excellence while building learners spiritually and morally. Responsibilities & Ideal Background Teaching-focused work that lets Scholars test and improve leadership through classroom practice. A good fit is someone ready to bring creativity, hard work, and perseverance to supporting children’s learning; strong personal growth is expected. LiA Champion Our LiA Champion is Cothney Lasaracina. Curious about this project but not sure where to start? Cothney can share candid insights from their experience—what the work involved, skills that proved useful, and pointers for exploring a good fit. Please contact them via the Laidlaw Scholars Network: https://laidlawscholars.network/users/cothney-theresa-lasaracina Organisation Contact Star Top Community School Email: mercymsakala@gmail.com

A current researcher with a diverse research background, industry experience and youth engagement portfolio. Interested in developing a career which combines teaching and research, whilst maintaining public engagement with STEM. Recently employed as a placement year student as an Inclusive Education Project Coordinator at the University of York with emphasis on Decolonising the Curriculum and Staff & Student Partnerships. Considered to be an interdisciplinary researcher with wide-ranging research interests, including: agricultural threats due to climate change, especially in international relations and geopolitics economics. AI implementation in driverless electric vehicles in stage 4 and stage 5 systems. Youth empowerment in sustainability and national/international challenges. Mental health in farmers and healthcare; Irish and Balkan history and ecology (particularly in relation to arable and pastoral farming); and sustainable rural practices.

Hello! I'm Cate, a fourth-year undergraduate student originally from Connecticut in the US, and I study English and Political Science at Brown University. I'm interested in human rights, social movements, US constitutional law, and comparative law. As you might have already guessed, I'm considering going into the legal field after undergrad.  In 2025, during my first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar, I participated in an ongoing research project at Brown University called "In the Wake of George Floyd." This project is about documenting current and past protests across Rhode Island in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and writing about them in the context of social movements, racism, and police violence in the state of Rhode Island and throughout the country.  In Summer 2026, for my Leadership in Action project, I am working with the NGO Bibliothèques Sans Frontières in Dakar, Senegal. I am working on expanding access to BSF's educational resources and solar-powered, offline Wi-Fi hotspots to more schools in rural areas across several countries in Western Africa. 

Hi everyone, I'm Jasmine, and I'm studying BA Geography at LSE. I'd like to consider myself as an at least partially competent social scientist, but my particular interests are in modern history, gender, and urban studies. I'll happily waffle on about any of those things, and I'm always excited to meet people with shared interests. Outside of academics, I enjoy ballet, marvel, disney music and playing with my dog.  I wanted to become a Laidlaw scholar because I enjoy doing research, and I wanted to see if I could take my burgeoning skills outside of university to make a difference (an utter cliché, I know). I'm hoping to do that this summer with my LiA working for Variety, a UK-based charity that looks to support children with disabilities from disadvantaged backgrounds. I will be running a research project investigating where there are gaps in the capacity of these children to access assistive technology, and what we can do about it. If you're interested, if you have any ideas or knowledge, send me a message or an email! 

Hi, I’m Katie McGowan, a Psychology undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar. My academic interests centre around human behaviour, social influence, and cultural psychology. This summer, I’m researching how cultural background and perceived empathy in artificial intelligence influence consumer trust — a project that brings together my fascination with social psychology and cross-cultural dynamics. Outside of academia, I’m passionate about women’s rights, youth leadership, and community impact. I’ve volunteered with organisations including Let Me Know (LMK) and Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA), helping to raise awareness around healthy relationships and gender-based violence. I’m also a Holocaust Educational Ambassador, committed to promoting dialogue, reflection, and education around collective memory and human rights. I currently serve as a School Representative for Psychology, advocating for students and working with staff to ensure that student feedback leads to meaningful change. Leadership, empathy, and representation are values that guide everything I do. Outside of my academic and voluntary work, I love travel and adventure — I hold an Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving certification, and I’m always looking for new ways to explore both above and below the surface. I'm especially interested in how research and leadership can create real-world change, and I’m always open to connecting with others who share those goals.