Hello, my name is Katarina and I'm a first-year Physics student at Durham University. I'm looking forward to being a part of the 2026 cohort with my project about mitigating the effects of light pollution. I aim to continue studying Physics to PhD level, and am particularly interested in researching sustainable technology. My passion for public speaking shapes my goal of driving scientific communication globally, as a vessel for sustainable change. My interests beyond academia include playing guitar, fashion, boxing and reading, as I've been fortunate enough to study an English Literature module this year.

Hi! My name is Daohui and I am a first-year Mathematics and Physics student at Durham University. I look forward to being part of the 2026 cohort with my project about prevention and mitigation strategies of future global outbreaks by simulating COVID-19! I am particularly interested in mathematics and I believe that computer simulation is a key in our understanding of global pandemics.

Hi I'm Freddie, a student in PPE at Durham University with particular interests in British Political history and the development of its constitution.  I am excited to express this in my research project, focusing on the impact of formalised political parties on voter behaviour, specifically choice and participation. Whilst contributing to the development of an existing dataset containing parliamentary election data from 1832 onwards, I am aiming to perform data-driven alaysis to evaluate Britain's shift from a candidate-based political tradition towards the dominance of party labels. Outside of my studies, I am a keen church bellringer, an avid reader, and enjoy exploring new places.

I am Andrew Hamilton, I have a keen interest in both methods of quantative statistical analysis through R and also through the discipline of comparative politics, in looking at electoral turnout and civic participation in the UK. My work has included being a co author on a experiential case study on pedagogic practice into how methods of statistical analysis through R, can be made accessible for students with visual impairments. Millican, A., Toth, F., & Hamilton, A. (2025, December 4). Seeing differently: Making R accessible for visually impaired students through collaborative learning design. National Centre for Research Methods. https://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/id/eprint/5006/  Further I am an award winning disability rights activist and have a particular interest in disability rights and digital accessibility, work has included lobbied politicians, co-authored a UN report, delivered oral evidence to the UN CRPD committee’s inquiry into the UK government and most recently being invited to give a witness statement to the Covid 19 national enquiry alongside advising an Northern Irish MLA on a disability private members bill. Through my 4+ years experience of campaigning, I have developed a passion for media, as a tool to spread awareness. I am also passionate about ensuring young people have a voice in matters that affect them. Lastly I am an active participant in Durham University’s venture scene, having founded an award winning public affairs startup, Just Include, which aims to ensure that everyone has a voice within politics.

Hi! My name is Yanna, and I’m a first-year Psychology student at Durham University.  My research project (supervised by Professor Zanna Clay) explores how empathy emerges and matures in young children across cultures. I feel that today, empathy is more important than ever. In an increasingly digital world, social connections are changing and the erosion of deep passions, interests, and morals are leading to more individualistic societies. Understanding how empathy develops could help us to nurture its growth and contribute to more cohesive and compassionate communities.  Additionally, I hope to highlight the importance of recognising both the similarities and differences in psychological development across cultures. By doing so, I aim to promote greater inclusivity within the scientific community and support the development of culturally sensitive approaches to research and practice.

Hey! My name is Martha and I'm a first-year Psychology student studying at Durham University.  My research project examines how children in care engage with STEM subjects, exploring the barriers and opportunities that shape their educational experiences and long-term outcomes in this field. As previous research has shown that young people who are raised in care are eight times less likely to enrol in University and pursue STEM subjects, I believe that this gap demands immediate attention and targeted interventions so that there is equal access to STEM education for all young people, regardless of their background. I am really looking forward to starting this research as it is a subject that I care a great deal about. Growing up in a fostering family, working in HAF summer camps and completing work experience in Liverpool schools in challenging areas have all given me a clear and early understanding of the care sytem which has deepened my determination to address the inequlities that these young people face. 

Hiya! I'm Thea, and I'm a first-year studying Classics at Durham University. Although Classics is a study of antiquity, I believe strongly in the real-world value of the skills and perspective it teaches. Because of this, I'm super excited to be a part of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort with my research on the importance of ancient Greek language and culture in the education system. I'm greatly interested in governance and public policy, so I'd love to see my project have a real influence on the presence of Classical education in a wider range of young people's lives. Outside of academia, my hobbies include reading, film and video games, and I enjoy being active through going to the gym, yoga, and skiing!

Hi, I'm Itiafa Ayeni, a rising sophomore from Nigeria at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar. I major in International Politics with minors in Africana Studies and a certificate in Energy Studies. I am also pursuing the French proficiency academic pathway. My academic interests are deeply shaped by my experience growing up in Nigeria and center on Africa’s future, the place of identity, and the advancement of women and girls globally. This summer, I will be researching how “Y2K” Nollywood (the formative period of Nigeria’s film industry spanning the 1990s and early 2000s) influenced the women who contributed to and consumed it, across a representative social circle that includes actresses and women in the diaspora.

Hello! I am a first year undergraduate student at Durham University studying Modern European Languages and Cultures, including advanced Spanish and ab initio Italian. I believe that the intersection between languages and culture, politics and peacebuilding is hugely important in a multicultural but increasingly divided world. I am therefore passionate about using my skills for good, especially through my research project into ethical and compassionate immigration policy.  I'm really excited to work alongside the 2026 scholars! 

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.