Hello! My name is Nadine, and I am a second-year Genetics student at the University of Leeds. I am interested in pursuing a career in research and global health, with a particular focus on cardiovascular science and immunology. I am passionate about addressing pressing global health challenges through impactful solutions that improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. I strongly believe that healthcare should be accessible to all communities worldwide, and I am committed to contributing to this goal. Through my leadership and medical communications experience, I have developed strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and I am now eager to expand into more lab-based roles where I can contribute directly to improving patient care and advancing scientific research. This summer, I will be joining a research team at the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, where we will investigate a novel molecular pathway involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease in individuals with insulin resistance. This opportunity will allow me to deepen my understanding of translational research and its potential to improve health outcomes. Although still early in my journey, I am excited to begin my Leadership-in-Action project and explore how meaningful research can be applied to real-world health challenges. The Middle East faces a particularly high incidence of cardiovascular disease, with heart disease accounting for approximately one in three deaths annually and occurring, on average, at least a decade earlier than in many Western countries. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I hope to use my platform to contribute to tackling this growing crisis and promoting more equitable global healthcare outcomes.

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.

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 :)

Hello! My name is Mabinty. I'm a second year student studying French and Spanish at the University of Leeds. I'm currently a Laidlaw Scholar, part of the 2026 cohort. I'm from Croydon but grew up in the Netherlands for some years. At the moment, I'm at the end of my second year and preparing for my research programme in Listening to Feminist Art Histories: Researching and Sharing Voices from the FAMH Oral History Archive with Dr Elspeth Mitchell.  I'm passionate about storytelling, whether it be through the medium of fictional tv shows and the cinematographic wonders of film or through the art of an honest and direct meditation and reflection of a life within a documentary. Additionally, I'm a passionate advocate of equity within the arts, media and education. I also like to focus a lot of my academic pursuits and studies around learning about the experiences of marginalised groups within society. I'm beyond excited to take part in the programme and see how it can develop me as a storyteller within the world!

My research focuses on interrogating anti-immigrant rhetoric in Italian politics, especially since 2015 and especially that which centers around economic concerns. I'm also interested in policies that support child migrants and refugees, particularly unaccompanied minors. 

A 3rd year Astrophysics student at Trinity College Dublin - investigating exomoons around a brown dwarf and in Auckland working with the Kaipatiki Project.

There are 25 annual Laidlaw Scholarships that provide funding to enable you to develop leadership and research skills through a range of personal development activities and two six week periods of project work throughout your time at Leeds.

Hey! I’m Samuel Kamalendran, a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto (Mississauga), where I major in Political Science and minor in English and Classics. My research project is titled “In the Valley of the Shadow of Death: Evaluating the Protection Afforded to Vulnerable Canadians by Bill C-7” and will explore whether Canada’s assisted-dying legal framework sufficiently protects the disabled, mentally ill, and those in poverty. I was first introduced to this topic through a term research paper in a Canadian Political Science course, and quickly became very engaged in the subject. What truly stood out to me about this subject was the intellectual conflict underpinning the debate about the Bill’s provisions. I was fascinated by the justifications both sides offered—all of which contained some measure of truth—and the simultaneous inability of scholars to come to a clear consensus. I was also very drawn to the real-life stories of individuals who interacted with MAiD—every one of which spoke directly to the implications of any law that intersected law, medicine, and the ethics of self-autonomy. Furthermore, as an aspiring legal professional, I am especially interested in diving into the legal and parliamentary cases that drove the development of assisted-dying forward, and performing a comparative analysis of international jurisdictions to decipher key lessons which can answer questions about the effectiveness of MAiD frameworks. In my free time, I enjoy working out, creating music on the piano and drums, and exploring local rivers, lakes, and trails with my brothers. I’m also active in journalism at my university, interested in AI and business, and passionate about serving my peers through my work with my school’s International Centre and my upcoming roles on various committees and boards. I’m sincerely looking forward to learning more about you all and your research projects! I would love to connect with y’all via LinkedIn, email (at samuel.kamalendran@mail.utoronto.ca), and/or through the Scholars network. I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing, and productive summer! :)

Hi! My name is Evalyn Lee, and I am in my third year at Georgetown University. I am studying English, Art History, and French! Fun fact(s): I write satire for my campus newspaper, The Georgetown Heckler, and am passionate about Mokapot coffee. My research focuses on the 18th-century poet, Elizabeth Singer Rowe. Despite the limited scholarship on the poet, Rowe was an influential political writer who made significant contributions to literary history, including the development of the novel. Through my research, I hope to add to the scholarship that highlights the work of early modern women writers.  For my Leadership-in-Action project, I will be partnering with make_sense and Les Jardins d'Haïti, an intergenerational third-space for seniors, in Marseille, France. 

It’s my role to oversee the portfolio of global opportunities and experiences available to students at the University of Leeds. These opportunities include our undergraduate leadership programmes that empower students to become active global citizens and future leaders. One of the most interesting parts of my roles is the chance to work with our local, regional and international partners. Working with people based all around the world on a daily basis broadens my perspective, exposes me to diverse cultures, and has enabled me to foster a global network. I am passionate about working with others to develop collaborations that provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences to prepare our students for leadership roles and contribute to positive change in the world. I am currently studying for the Leeds Executive Leadership Level 7 Apprenticeship. Undertaking the apprenticeship alongside my day job gives me the chance to enhance my leadership skills, understand the latest business theories, and apply them effectively to my work.

Hello! I am Juliet Scott, an undergraduate BA History student at the University of Leeds, UK. Currently studying a wide range of historical topics ranging from Medieval religion and culture to Global Decolonization in the 20th century! In which I have developed my writing skills and knowledge for the world around us. My first-year research project is ‘Re-creating the People and Communities of Medieval Wakefield’ in which I am researching about the lives of people in the Wakefield Manorial Court Rolls, taking creative liberties on how these people lived to bring them to life and introduce the public to what life was like in medieval Wakefield and the surrounding suburbs. As I was born in Dewsbury and have a Wakefield postcode my project resonates with me a lot with brining research to life and tailoring it towards public consumption. As a Leeds local I enjoy volunteering at the Royal Armouries Museum and WOSM, as well as appreciating Emley Moor Mast’s beauty as a prominent landmark of West Yorkshire (I highly recommend taking a trip outside of Leeds to see the telly tower!) I am also learning Dutch in my spare time, I would love to practice with someone if anyone is able to help me! Academically I am interested in Medieval Daily life, mostly based on looking at objects with 13th century ivory and the recurrent religious themes and the ‘castle of love’ motif as well as modern history of empires, specifically the British Empire (and its economy) and global decolonization with its impact on 20th century politics! Please contact me! I love a good natter and connecting with people! My email is julietscott17@hotmail.com and my linkedin is my name!

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

Hello!  I’m Xanthe Hudson, a Geography BA undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar. My academic interests focus on global geopolitics, climate change and the intersection of human and physical geography. This summer, my research project explores academic censorship and self-censorship across disciplines, examining how legal threats, intimidation and professional retaliation impact academic freedom. Through surveying researchers, I aim to identify vulnerable fields, underlying power dynamics and explore the wider implications for knowledge production in biodiversity conservation. Beyond academia, I’m driven by a strong curiosity about global issues and love to meet and learn from new people. During my time spent in rural Nepal, I supported initiatives addressing period poverty and improving education in communities still affected by the 2015 earthquakes. These experiences deepened my understanding of how grassroots education can help to drive sustainable change. Before university, I took a gap year, travelling to Morocco and Nepal and spending three months solo in Namibia, where I worked on a remote horse ranch and a cheetah conservation project. These experiences challenged me and have shaped my global perspective by exposing me to new cultures and narratives.   I am excited to be a part of the Laidlaw community and open to connecting with other scholars!

Hello!  I am Lottie Knee, a Philosophy and Politics undergraduate student at the University of Leeds and a part of the 2025 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars.  Building on my background in normative ethics, international development, and foreign policy, this summer I investigated Academic Freedom and Censorship in Biodiversity Conservation. My research explores how political pressures, freedom of speech, and censorship influence conservation work, engaging with real incidents where knowledge and debate have been constrained. This project challenges me to enter a new area of study while strengthening the critical and ethical frameworks developed in my degree.  Outside of academia, I love to travel. I took a gap year before attending university where I solo travelled Australia, Indonesia and The Philippines. This was a fantastic opportunity for adventure, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.  I am always open to connect with others within the Laidlaw community! 

I am the leadership developer for the University of Leeds. I am passionate about learning and ways in which we can all bring more of our true selves to work. I am keen to open dialogues about how leadership can be both effective and human in the 21st Century. My influences include a quote I learnt whilst studying to be a teacher at university "there is no liberating influence than the knowledge that things have not always been as they are and need not remain so." (Simon. B.) So, you can see that as leaders of the future Laidlaw Scholars can bring about positive and lasting change - and how great that is! My qualifications include: BEd Hons,, MSc, CIPD Dip, ILM L5 Coaching & Mentoring, PG Cert Counselling, FHEA. I am accredited to run Quintax personality profile, PPA, TMSDI Team Profile, EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence.

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, my name is Matt and I am the Global Leadership Programmes Officer at the University of Leeds. I help to manage and run the Laidlaw programme at the university.

Hello! I am Major Richmond, and I enjoy spending time with friends, playing tennis, and visiting the best theme parks in the country. I am a PROUD Blue Devil and a member of Duke University's Class of 2028! I intend to pursue a degree in Public Policy Analysis and explore Environmental Science and Spanish💙😈 In general, The United States is in an unprecedented state of division, specifically in the political realm. The US democratic system has turned into a battle arena full of uncertainty, hatred, and various bad decisions. For my life goal, I have sworn to put a halt to this crippling division and start to put compromise over stubbornness. The best current policy solutions arise when democrats, republicans, conservatives, liberals, and independents unite to create change TOGETHER, rather than separate. As an aspiring politician, I plan to end division for the country's benefit.

Hello! I am a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar from the University of Leeds, currently studying Biomedical Science. My research explores the role of alpha-synuclein charge in synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release using mass spectrometry approch. As a naturally curious and interdisciplinary thinker, I’m passionate about learning from diverse perspectives and connecting with others who are driven by purpose, innovation, and leadership—whatever their field may be. I’d love to connect, collaborate, and grow together as part of this dynamic global network.