Hey hey! :) I'm Tamar, a Financial Economics student at the University of St Andrews, based in historic and picturesque Scotland. I am originally from Georgia (the country!), heading into my 3rd year of undergraduate study. This summer marks my first as a Laidlaw Scholar, and I am incredibly excited to be undertaking my research project: “Beyond Words: Women, Equality and the Early Esperanto Language Community.” Through historical artefacts, I will be exploring how the early Esperanto movement (1900s–1920s) created inclusive spaces for women, challenging the gender norms of its era. Given that gender inequality remains a pressing issue today, it is fascinating to explore how earlier generations managed to confront these challenges, despite arguably more rigid societal constraints. You might be surprised by my choice of a socio-historic topic — after all, I study finance and economics. But I have always been fascinated by interdisciplinary thinking. My curiosity often leads me to explore humanities subjects at length, and I take every chance I get to expand my horizons beyond my degree. What's more, this project gives me the perfect excuse to pick up another language! Language learning is one of my greatest passions (although I must confess I dabble more than I master), and I am always on the lookout for compelling study materials. Outside of academics, I adore capturing the beauty of my surroundings, travelling and planning future trips, reading, watching great cinema, and unwinding with music — I even brought my national instrument, the Panduri, to St Andrews all the way from Georgia and strum it as much as I can to keep a little piece of home with me.  If any of this sparks your interest —  whether you got curious about my research, want to exchange language-learning tips, or just chat about shared interests, I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out here or connect with me on LinkedIn. Look forward to connecting with you! :)

Hey! I am a current leadership & research scholar, focusing on homelessness and democracy. Before beginning my degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Durham University, I volunteered for homelessness organizations, working alongside public and private sector to tackle homelessness and health inequalities. Alongside this, I have worked in construction, and have maintained my interest via gardening at university, and my woodwork business KarhuKraft. I love all things sport (especially table tennis), nature, and history! Feel free to get in touch. 

In complex systems, one learns early that the surface can be a weak tutor, and it is often the tide, not the wave, that shapes the course. With my readings in finance at Durham University, combined with leadership training with the Oxford Character Project, I have tried to make my research and work resemble thoughtful oceanography—careful observation, calibrated instruments, and charts that are trusted precisely because they are modest about what they cannot yet claim to know. As a Laidlaw Scholar, my approach across research domains remains grounded in certain core values: to respect complexity without being intimidated by it, to value precision over appearance, and to navigate with integrity.  

I am a second-year student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) pursuing a BSc in History and Politics. I am also the current Secretary-General of LSE Model United Nations, one of Europe's most prestigious geopolitical crisis simulation conferences. Having been born and raised in Brazil, I am particularly interested in Latin American history, especially in regards to the region's relations with the United States. In the field of politics, I enjoy a plethora of topics in political science and economy with particular emphasis on their application in the Global South.

Research Project: A bio-impedance analysis-based HMI system for robotic control My interests lie at the intersection of hardware, software and entrepreneurship. My technical skills and interests include: machine learning, embedded software development, FPGA programming. Co-founder & President of the UCL Product Development Society. Machine Learning Researcher at the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

About Me My name is Muhammed and I'm currently studying for my Bachelor's degree in Economics with Management at Durham University. Sustainability is a lifelong passion of mine, and I'm especially interested in exploring circular economy solutions. Areas of Focus For my final year research project, I'm analysing circular business models being adopted by small and medium enterprises across the UK. I'm looking specifically at capabilities in areas like supply chain management, manufacturing techniques, waste reduction strategies, and designing for the long-term. Research Goals By highlighting real case studies of circular SMEs, my aim is to identify best practices that can help more companies make the transition. I want to provide actionable insights for policymakers and businesses seeking to build a stronger, greener local economy. Additional Interests In my spare time I enjoy learning about new technologies like AI and blockchain that could enable greater circularity. I'm also passionate about spreading awareness of sustainability issues to help drive societal change. Get In Touch I'd love to discuss circular innovations with anyone interested in supporting this growing movement. Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat or have any feedback on my research. I'm always looking to learn more!

Hello there! My name is Aly, and I am a British undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, currently doing an International Affairs Specialist, with a Minor in Sustainability. My research project is → Linking Political orientation and Environmentalism: An analysis of changing environmental attitudes and subsequent party support in Canada. In my project, I aim to analyze the changing link between environmental attitudes and party support/political orientation in Canada, using Canadian Election Studies data from 2015 and 2019, and comparing my results with results from a previous study which carried out similar analysis on data from the 2004 and 2006 elections. I also hope to inform my analysis with a discussion of provincial differences in these links, hoping to shine a light on possible avenues towards improving engagement with voters for provincial elections which may help Canada in its terrible track record on improving its environment. 

An ambitious student at the University of Toronto passionate about marketing, finance, and the intersection between business and social impact. With a burning desire to leverage entrepreneurship as a means to improve underprivileged communities, I spearheaded the Rescued Glass social enterprise to tackle waste management and support Thailand's Khlong Toey Slum community through upcycling used glass bottles into innovative household items. I find genuine fulfillment in experiencing and learning all that I can imagine. This mentality has empowered me to receive over 30 accredited licenses and certifications and pursue 7 professional working experiences thus far. In the process, I have gained proficiency in the technicalities of digital marketing, B2B/B2C sales, data analytics and e-commerce whilst honing my communication, interpersonal, and cooperative skills. Merging my passions with my ambition to make a meaningful difference in the world is intrinsically fulfilling. I have led several volunteer and service initiatives including organizing concerts to raise funds for endangered animals, participating in a microfinance/development bank, managing community social media pages, deploying artificial reefs in Thailand's islands, and more. I am humbled and grateful beyond words for the opportunities I have had thus far and am even more optimistic and motivated to continue experiencing, learning, and developing!

Hello! My name is Cecilia, and I am entering my fourth year majoring in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies, with minors in political and applied data science at the University of Toronto. Throughout my time at UofT, I have developed a deep interest in the complexities of crime, particularly the powerful influence of organized criminal networks. 

Hello everyone!  I'm Veronika, a 3rd year life science engineering student at EPFL, and part of the Laidlaw Scholars Board. I'm a strong proponent of mitigating existential risks, of which I'm feverishly passionate about research in biosecurity and infectious disease. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I did my research in the Laboratory of Digital Epidemiology on approximations of human-like crowd behavior during pandemics with AI agents, with the goal of creating an epidemiological model that can quickly and cheaply simulate dynamic crowd behavior. In my free time, I love to garden - I'm currently in the process of growing purple sweet potatoes native to Asia. I'm also currently learning oil painting, absolutely love camping whenever I can, and I'm a big fan of metal music and love to go to concerts.   Our goal in the Laidlaw Board is to make the program better for you (and for future cohorts)! So if you have any questions, complaints, compliments, or suggestions for the Laidlaw Scholars program, feel free to reach out by sending a message on here, on LinkedIn, or using this anonymous form --> https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl

Hi everyone! My name is Caroline, and I am a rising fourth-year at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Sociology, and a minor in Education and Society. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I investigated the factors that influence cross-national educational disparities in a study comparing Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. I hope to further investigate such inequalities to bridge systemic gaps in social mobility in my future academic and professional endeavours. Some of my interests include track and field, playing violin, and spending time outdoors. Please feel free to reach out; I would love to connect! 

Hi! My name is Paige and I am a sophomore studying electrical & computer engineering and computer science at Cornell University. My Laidlaw project involves using eDNA barcoding to assess the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems. 

Hello everyone! My name is Kira, and I am going into my second year of undergraduate studies double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. My research interests focus on climate politics and environmental ethics/governance, which complements my Laidlaw project on climate consciousness in undergraduate students. I enjoy spending time outdoors (when it's nice out) and participating in various extracurricular activities. I am very excited to be part of this 2024 cohort and look forward to seeing what we all accomplish!

Hello, I'm Chiara! I'm a student of Political Science, Ethics, Society & Law, and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto. I'm incredibly interested in studying social movements, especially the more right-leaning movements formed recently in the internet age. In my free time, I paint and play video games!

As a student of Health & Disease, Immunology as Psychology, I am eager to pursue a career in medicine or research! I am deeply passionate about menstrual health 

Hi everyone! My name is Lia and I just finished my second year at the University of Toronto studying English, political science and gender studies. As a member of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, I am interested in exploring the intersection of literature and politics, particularly in mitigating harmful tropes in representation. I grew up in the United Kingdom and Canada, and I had the opportunity to study at Pearson College UWC in Victoria, British Columbia.