My name is Sophie (she/her) and I am from South Wales but am currently studying International Relations and Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews. My Laidlaw research project will be studying how nostalgia for life in the former East Germany continues to affect politics in today's reunified Germany, in particular Germany's foreign policy towards Russia. This research is trying to explore the legacy of the Cold War in Europe and how its effects continue to be lived by people today. One thing I am particularly excited about with this research is that I will be going to Berlin for a week to conduct ethnographic research (interviews and participant observation) with former citizens of East Germany.   In my free time, I like to read anything i can get my hands on, as well as cook a lot and try different recipes from around the world. I also really love travelling and exploring new places.  I'd love to connect with someone who is interested in politics and diplomacy or otherwise shares my interests. And if you have any questions about my research, I'd love to chat about it!

Laidlaw Scholar Alumna at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, I'm often found at the piano🎹, mesmerized in a theatre🎭, or painting away the night with friends🎨.  If our paths align in interests or work, why not connect? Ping me, and let's connect on LinkedIn.

Hello! I am an incoming third year student at the University of St Andrews undertaking a joint Honours in Art History and Geography. I am interested in the intersection of the visual arts and the climate crisis; exploring the interactions between artists, cultural institutions, and the environment, past and present, as well as imagining what future interactions may look like.             In my first year with Laidlaw I undertook a research project on the environmental impact of digital practice in museums and heritage institutions. This project delved into carbon costing, water usage of data centres, and the new age of digital colonialism with mineral extraction and e-waste disposal - highlight the great ecological, economic, and social impacts of increasing digital activity. My research implemented the concept of Active Hope. I explored how different experiences of hope across and in curation with different communities could write another story of our time. I questioned how hope could be the central axis for social and environmental change within digital policy in museums.               Presently, I am based in Paris working with Karuna-Shechen for my Leadership in Action. I am writing the sixth edition of their key philanthropy output: 'Letters to our Friends'. Centred on the theme of Hope, I am carrying the insights from my first year into my conversations with colleagues across the field in India and Nepal. I am writing articles that capture the charities' commitment to alleviate poverty and how they pass agency back into the hands of the communities they support. 

Third year medical student at the University of St Andrews with a love for learning, interdisciplinary study, and travel. 

Hi! I'm Sophia, an aspiring scientist and philomath. I love learning about everything and anything and delight in spending time with people who are passionate about the things they love! I am really interested and curious about how we can use chemistry to improve processes and products to help society. For example, my research project is looking into the possibility of turning struvite, a mineral which is a by-product of waste-water treatment processes into slow-release nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers, which would be a green source nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers and help achieve goals of zero-waste.  If you are researching something similar or are interested in learning more about the project, please reach out! I am super happy to talk about the project and meet other who are doing something similar and possibly collaborate!