Hi, I'm Gabby, a third year Geography and Earth Science student at the University of St Andrews. My research focuses on using pollen in lake sediments to reconstruct vegetation history in the Scottish Highlands.
Outside of research you'll find me wild swimming, baking bread, or hiking!
I am a second year Geography and International Relations student at the University of St Andrews and Laidlaw Scholar. My research focuses on the long-term, gendered economic effects of dual caregiving, specifically how social class origin shapes retirement wealth outcomes for the sandwich generation. Outside of research, you'll find me on the golf course or taking a walk along the beautiful beaches in this small town!
Hello, I'm Emmy, a third year modern history student at the University of St Andrews, and I'm working on a research project concerning Russian émigrés in Victorian Britain. Specifically, I'll be taking a look at the literature they chose to translate and share with the British public via journals like Free Russia, considering which subjects, themes and morals took precedence. The idea is to understand how representatives of marginalised groups can shape cross-cultural relationships through literary exchange.
Beyond this, my interests lie in the history of ideas, especially ideas about childhood, imagination and religion. When out of the library, I like to career around town and beyond on my bike (Mackerel), spot some birds, listen to a good album and chew on whatever apocalyptic media I can find.
Always open to chat
Hi! I'm Josie, a second-year student at the University of St Andrews. My research project focuses on Ireland's relationship with Spain, centring on its struggle to legitimise itself culturally, religiously, and historically in the face of colonialism, and how this led to the emergence of an Irish national consciousness. It focuses on the mythological origin stories of Ireland. As a student of both Medieval History and Spanish, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to combine two subjects I'm passionate about into a research project!
The Laidlaw Scholarship Programme in Research and Leadership is sponsored by a generous donation from The Rt Hon Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, an honorary graduate of the University. This exciting programme equips students with the skills and values to become the leaders of tomorrow in their chosen discipline and beyond University.
Over two years Scholars complete a bespoke, intensive leadership training programme. In addition, they participate in two periods of research during which they work on designing, pursuing and reporting a research question in collaboration with an academic in their chosen School.
This programme is open to undergraduate students in their penultimate year of study. Please see the Laidlaw website for more information at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/go/laidlaw
Hi! I'm Amanda, a third year Neuroscience student and Laidlaw alum from UCL. I'm Swedish-Persian and grew up in Sweden before moving to London for uni. These days, alongside my studies, I work for the Foundation as a Marketing Assistant.
For my first year research project, I worked on optimising alginate hydrogels for 3D astrocyte culture systems. In simpler terms, I was figuring out the best way to prepare a jelly-like scaffolds so that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes could grow in three dimensions rather than flat on a dish. This matters because 3D environments mimic the brain more realistically, which could help researchers develop better treatments for neurological disorders!
For my Leadership-in-Action project, I co-created Beyond the Books, a resource designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the unwritten rules of university life, from internships and networking to professional opportunities that aren't always obvious if you're the first in your family to go to uni.
Always happy to connect, whether you want to chat about neuroscience, widening access, the Laidlaw experience, or just say hello! One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people from different universities and backgrounds, so please do reach out! 🌟