I am currently in my third year of English Studies at Trinity College Dublin, with a minor in Middle Eastern, Jewish & Islamic Civilisations. This year, I am undertaking an Erasmus exchange at the University of Bologna. My subject interests include post-colonial and modernist literature (especially in an Irish context), as well as representations of climate breakdown in media and the capacity of literature to empower people to take action.

I'm Phoebe and I’m a 2024 Laidlaw Scholar. I am a first year student of French and Italian at the University of Leeds. This summer I will be working on the research project 'Mapping Colonial Subjects in the French Resistance' supervised by Professor Nina Wardleworth.

Hello! I'm Eavan, a final-year undergraduate student at Trinity College Dublin studying English and Linguistics. In Summer 1, I researched ideas of linguistic ethnogenesis. I investigated how anti-immigrant rhetoric is constructed on false beliefs of historical monolingualism that harmfully 'other' ethnic groups who don't fit within a certain idea of nationhood. In Summer 2, I worked to promote conservation education with the Kasiisi Project on my LiA in Uganda.

Hi there! I'm Jane Emmins, a Junior Sophister in English Studies at Trinity College Dublin. My Summer 1 research was concerned with representations of space, place, and utopianism in the literature of Fire Island 1940-2000. I was interested in exploring how contrasting authors handled ideas and constructions of 'gay paradise' as a means to interogate the nature of queer utopian desire(s) in America at this pivotal period in LGBTQ+ history.  I am a lover of sacred music and a member of multiple choirs. My hobbies also include swimming in the sea and watching good television.  Feel free to reach out to me using my contact info. 

Laidlaw Scholar 2024/2025 Geography and Geoscience Student at Trinity College Dublin Research Project Title: Investigating how trace concentrations of fluorine impact the growth of the most important carbonate biomineral, calcite.

Hi there! I'm currently entering my senior sophister year at TCD studying single-pathway environmental science and engineering. My deepest passion is ecology; the intricate and ever-present webs of interaction between everything biotic and abiotic overwhelm me with awe and reverence every day. Communicating how deeply intertwined everything in the natural world is, and how we as humans can responsibly interact with it, is a major interest of mine. Through my Laidlaw research project, I was able to share the importance of urban soil health with both the general public and with academic and political stakeholders. This summer, I aim to further my environmental communication skills alongside the team at SharkLab Malta, auditing and revamping elasmobranch education materials for children and adults.

Dia dhaoibh! My name is Aoibheann, and I’m a 3rd-year physics student at Trinity College Dublin. I chose this course because it strikes the perfect balance between theory and experimentation, allowing me to explore the fundamental particles and forces that govern the universe—though I'm still working on fully understanding them! My research project delved into my latest fixation which is the history and philosophy of science. I focused on scientific authority in colonised Ireland, exploring how knowledge was often controlled and manipulated by those in power. It’s a topic that combines my love of history and science, as it reveals how knowledge itself can be a tool of influence. I’m really interested in understanding how science is never truly neutral—it can shape cultures, reinforce power dynamics, and even be used to control narratives, making it an issue that is still relevant in today's world. Beyond my studies, I love sea swimming and have trained as a lifeguard. I’m also a proud Irish speaker and love promoting Irish language and culture whenever I can.

My name is Svit Pestotnik Stres (he/him) I am from Ljubljana, Slovenia, which is one of the prettiest cities in my opinion. I moved to Dublin to study Medicine at Trinity College Dublin.  My research project concerns using EEG as a diagnostic measure for Cervical Dystonia patients. There are a number of non-motor symptoms associated with this disease, including emotion recognition deficit. I chose this project because one of my interests for my medical career is neurology and I also feel like this topic is under-researched.  When I'm not studying/working, I like to sing, play guitar, go out with friends, travel, volunteer and play basketball/ run. One thing about me that surprises people is that I used to train ballet for a number of years, which was very fun and definitely defined me as a person. A lot of my close friends are still from that same group. I'd love to connect with someone who finds my research project interesting and is open to any kind of collaboration. I'd also love to chat to someone who shares the same hobbies.

Hello! I am a rising sophomore interested in the intersection between health, environment, and advocacy. During Laidlaw, I am excited to research the impact of radiation on the Pacific Islands, specifically regarding contamination in local fruit and vegetation of Kiribati island. 

I'm Nora, a final year undergraduate student studying History and Art History at Trinity College Dublin. I'm originally from Massachusetts in the United States. I'm interested in the intersection between history and art history: I'm fascinated by the people, communities, and cultures behind the art, and the social spheres in which art was produced. I also am very interested in heritage sites and the preservation of history and visual culture through architecture. In my free time, I enjoy visiting museums, going to cafes, and taking long walks around Dublin. My 2024 Laidlaw research project examines the homes of women living outside of heteronormative conventions in early-twentieth century Dublin. 

Joel was the Laidlaw Programme Coordinator for Trinity (2018 - 2024). In this role he managed leadership development activities, student coaching, programme design, and the day-to-day support of the Laidlaw Scholars. He is currently the Equality Officer (Acting) for Trinity.  Prior to joining the Careers Service, he worked in Trinity's Academic Registry as a Team Manager (Communications and Human Resources) with a focus on developing modern and inclusive support services for students and staff. He has previously worked with Trinity's Office of Global Relations to develop the Global Room and Campus Visit initiatives for international students. He is a founder and current Co-Chair of Trinity's LGBT+ Staff Network and is committed to Trinity's mission of fostering excellence by empowering accessibility and diversity in higher education. A graduate of Trinity, he holds a B.A. (Mod.) in English Studies, a Special Certificate in Academic Practice, and a nominal Master in Arts (Dubl.) from the university as well as a CIPD Diploma in Learning and Development (CIPD). 

Hello! I’m Trisha, a fourth-year student at Cornell University from Texas, USA. I’m majoring in Environment and Sustainability with a dual focus on food systems and wildlife conservation, and minoring in International Relations. My interests in combining my enduring passions for writing and wildlife conservation have driven me to explore multiple perspectives on highly-controversial issues such as trophy hunting, retaliatory animal killings, and illegal wildlife crime. Thus, during my first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar and as a member of the Morally Contested Conservation team, I wrote a literature review on the interconnectedness of climate change and human-wildlife conflicts in East and southern Africa. In June and July 2024, I furthered this research by traveling to the University of Oxford and to the Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania. I will be returning to Oxford and Burunge in June and July 2025 to report my results.  As an aspiring environmental policymaker and journalist, I am passionate about making technical scientific information more accessible to the general public. At Cornell, I am an Institute of Politics and Global Affairs Scholar, through which I interact with policymakers monthly to discuss pervasive issues in international politics. I also speak Marathi, Spanish, and Swahili at varying levels of fluency and plan to continue to grow my language skills to communicate environmental issues across continents and cultures.  For fun, I love to turn even the most mundane materials into recycled art, spend hours on end working through jigsaw puzzles, and go for runs while listening to podcasts. And as a diehard foodie who loves to travel, I’m always looking for recommendations of places to visit or new recipes to try!  The Laidlaw Scholars Program has been an invaluable component of my undergraduate experience. The friendships I’ve made, as well as the research and language skills I’ve begun to develop, have encouraged me to continue to ask and seek answers to complicated questions about global affairs and environmental science. If anyone has questions or feedback about the Laidlaw Program, is interested in collaborating, or just wants to say hello, please feel free to email me at trb238@cornell.edu. I hope we can meet in person someday!

Hey! My name is Jemma and I am a 4th year business student at Trinity College Dublin. Throughout my studies so far I have found an interest in business sustainability and the ethical considerations in business practice. The balance between government intervention and business leadership in the strive for a sustainable future is one that fascinates me. My research project is focused on the environmental and social certifications available in the sustainable fashion industry and how these can be improved to consider the accessibility of the industry. After all, every person, regardless of budget wears clothes and should have access to information detailing the impact of their purchases.  I grew up in Bahrain and Singapore where I studied at UWCSEA before moving home to Northern Ireland. I love going on sea swims and walks with friends, I have recently picked up running like the rest of the world and I love food and cooking. A side interest of mine is looking into the impacts of the food industry on public health and the environment. My favourite podcasts are A Diary of a CEO and the Huberman Lab podcast, my music taste is all over the place, I like a bit of everything. 

Laidlaw Scholar 2024/2025 Ancient & Medieval History & Culture (AMHC) Student at Trinity College Dublin Research Project Title: Late Devensian glaciation and its influence on medieval urban development in the Irish Midlands Interested in all things historical & environmental!

Hey! I'm Abo. I'm in my final year of Biomedical Sciences at Trinity College Dublin. I'm specialising in Immunology and have a keen interest in the role of inflamation in neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease.  I got the fantastic opportunity to present my Summer 1 research at Columbia University in NYC this past November, and conducted my Summer 2 Leadership in Action Project in Boston! 

Hello, I’m Rachel and I am currently in Trinity College Dublin studying philosophy and religion. When I am not in college you will most likely find me on a basketball court. Playing, refereeing or coaching. I have been involved in sport for the majority of my life, from playing to coaching and refereeing in many different areas, including with the Special Olympics, Nationally and locally.  I am a qualified Healthcare Support Worker and have always had a passion for caring for the elderly in society. I have worked in nursing homes and enjoyed my time with the activities team! Off the court I love to hike and swim. I have walked along the Camino de Santiago over the past years, returning every year to walk more and volunteer in hostels along the way. Meeting incredible people from all over the world was an incredible time in my life learning not only about myself but other cultures as well.

My name is Conor Murphy, and I am a student at Trinity College Dublin studying Theoretical Physics! My research project is about developing knowledge of size dependence of the resistive switching ratio in MoS2 memristors. Outside of physics, I love music and sports.