Mia Fulford
English and Art History Student, Undergraduate Research Scholar, University of Leeds
I am a member of the University of Leeds' 2021 Laidlaw Scholar Cohort. My self-defined project explores the representation of concurrent themes of nature and isolation in 20th century and contemporary literature. I study English and History of Art and have a love of all things books, art and the outdoors! I also run a zine that features contributions from young creatives across the UK.
Please take a look at my blog which delves into my research project a bit deeper here: https://outdoorfiction.blogspot.com/
Hello! I was Laidlaw scholar in 2019, and I studied national, regional, and local identity in northern Tajikistan through the lens of women's fashion. For a year after graduating, I worked for the UN Mine Action Service which removes landmines from conflict and post-conflict regions. I then worked for the Laidlaw Foundation 2021-22 and completed a Master's Degree in Anthropology and Development Management at the London School of Economics. Now I'm working with the UN on innovative finance for biodiversity conservation, focusing on marine ecosystems.
Please feel free to reach out on the network, on LinkedIn, or by email. I'm always happy to meet new people and chat.
Alex is the Programme Director of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme. He is responsible to source and work with university, business school, NGO, government department, business and charity partners to manage and develop programmes which further the Laidlaw Founation's purpose – to reduce poverty and inequality by investing in the education of the underprivileged and underrepresented and to develop a new generation of diverse and ethical leaders.
Prior to joining the Laidlaw Foundation Alex spent over a decade at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where he most recently managed the university’s Laidlaw Scholars Programme. In addition, Alex taught leadership courses and guest-lectured internationally on the subjects of strategy and leadership.
A bilingual speaker, dual national and keen traveller, Alex has lived, visited and worked in several countries around the world. During this time, he has had a unique opportunity to encounter and explore different cultures and working environments, experiencing first-hand what good leadership can achieve. His passion for this topic is driven by these experiences and a desire to challenge people to unlock their full leadership potential.
Alex holds an MBA from the Open University and a Master of Research in Management from the University of St Andrews. He has also obtained Associate Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy. In his spare time, Alex is an avid skier and volunteers with a local guide dog organisation.
Hello! I've been part of the Laidlaw Foundation for over 4 years, working on strengthening our global community and broadening our initiatives aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty, reducing inequality, and cultivating a new generation of leaders.
I'm currently completing a Masters in Anthropology & Professional Practice at UCL, delving into my passion for using ethnographic research and design thinkig to effect systemic change, particularly in the education sector. My journey in design has been diverse, beginning with graphic design, transitioning into UX/UI and service design, and now evolving into strategic design and innovation.
Originally from the vast steppes of Kazakhstan 🇰🇿, I pursued my undergraduate degree in Human Sciences at UCL. I'm an avid swimmer, an obsessive podcast listener, and a dancer with two left feet and a whole lot of spirit. Let's connect and chat—drop me a line and find me on LinkedIn! 💬👀
I've been looking after Research Scholars in the Arts and Humanities since 2008, and have been involved with the Laidlaw Network since it was established. I'm passionate about increasing diversity and making opportunities available to more. I'm a proud Loiner (someone from Leeds) and particularly love to work with students to engage with the city and the amazing cultural and creative industries that we have here.
A graduate of Cambridge University, Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. Susanna began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, which was the world’s largest organiser of commercial conferences, was acquired by Informa plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group and also led the public company’s investor relations programmes. She subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Susanna has been extensively involved with education and professional development over many years. She was Head of Group Training and led the commercial acquisition and integration of a portfolio of corporate training businesses whilst at IIR; and created learning academies at both Informa and Emap. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and believes that we need to develop a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and devoted to decency, truthfulness, and innovation. Susanna is committed to diversity not only as a societal imperative but as a critical component of commercial success. As an advisor to the trustees of the Foundation, Susanna first learnt about its purpose and programmes before becoming its Chief Executive responsible for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, the Laidlaw Scholars and its other education programmes. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo; and played netball and rowed for Newnham.
Lord Laidlaw is a committed philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, and accomplished sportsman.
A graduate of Leeds University and Columbia Business School, Lord Laidlaw founded the Institute for International Research Ltd (IIR) which became the world’s largest conference and training company. He sold it in 2005 for $1.4bn to Informa Plc. He has since gone on to build a large property company and invest extensively in sustainable energy, including the Veja Mate Offshore Wind Farm where he was the majority owner. His most recent project is building a renewable power resource in Rwanda.
Lord Laidlaw was one of the very earliest business leaders to see diversity in his management team as an important strength. His leadership team had a majority of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Lord Laidlaw believes passionately that performance should be rewarded and was a pioneer in sharing profits with his employees.
A committed internationalist, he considers it vital for the next generation of leaders to have and understand global connections. His generous philanthropy, funding academies and scholarships, centres on two core beliefs; firstly that inspirational education can break the cycle of poverty, and secondly the need for a new generation of diverse, passionate and adaptive leaders with a world view. The Women in Business movement that Lord Laidlaw funds, both helps to build a more diverse future leadership and pays tribute to the many women who helped make IIR so successful.
I am a first year scholar and undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying towards a BA in Politics and Sociology. My research aims to draw on the experiences of UoL students with a focal point on widening participation students in order to gain a deeper understanding of what inclusive learning spaces are and how they can be achieved. Outside of my research I really enjoy reading, cooking and baking, listening to music and spending time with my friends and family.
Economics and Politics student at the University of Leeds, from near Stuttgart, Germany. My research project aimed to create an effective mentoring approach that supports the development of self-esteem in shy children after their transition to secondary school.
I was part of a team of four scholars who are working together with Durham University to research what makes a successful Multi-Academy Trust serving disadvantaged communities. In particular, we focused on the Laidlaw Schools Trust, which comprises seven schools in the North of England that predominantly serve disadvantaged pupils. Overall, this is part of the effort to reduce the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their more affluent peers.
I recently completed my LiA project by volunteering for the Youth & Community Project with Think Pacific in Fiji. Currently, I am on a year-long exchange at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
I would love to talk about international politics, history, football and your all-time favourite Netflix shows!
I currently work as the Programme Manager of the Mentora Foundation's Campus Programme delivering MBA-style personal leadership training for emerging leaders in the US and UK. I'm responsible for end-to-end programme design and delivery, reporting directly to the Foundation's Director. I hold a Master's Degree from King's College London, specialising in National Security Strategy and Russian Foreign Policy. I'm an accomplished participant in leadership training programs like the Laidlaw Scholarship and Mentora Youth Changemaker Fellowship.
I completed my Laidlaw Scholarship at the University of Leeds where I studied Ancient History and Philosophy. My research project was on what impact the UK's membership of the EU has had on the UK's foreign and defence policy.
Hi👋🏾 I’m Pearls
I am a final year Law student at the University of Leeds. I recently completed a placement year at The Walt Disney Company as a CPGP Contract Management Intern (hence the 'industrial' next to my degree title)
My first-year research project looked at the way game-based learning could be incorporated into Multi-Academy Trusts (aka MATs) to improve the academic attainment and classroom engagement of GCSE-year black students. My Leadership-in-Action project was with MakeSense and focused on empowering minority communities within Mexico City.
Studies Theoretical Physics at the University of Leeds, currently on a year in industry at Raspberry Pi as part of the Hardware Engineering team. During my research period, I worked with academics within my department to investigate "Belonging and Engagement in a Successful Transition to University", with a particular focus on how students with less typical entry routes to higher education experience belonging.
I'm always intruiged by different ways to apply the physics and mathematics from my course, with a particular interest in quantum physics, fluid dynamics and computational physics.
In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, tinkering with technology, and flying light aircraft.
Hi! I'm Maria and I am a current undergraduate scholar from the University of Leeds. I study Law and I aspire to be a corporate solicitor.
I am so honoured and excited to have been selected as a 2022 Laidlaw Scholar. After taking an alternative route to university I am enthusiastic to take advantage of the skills and experience I can gain from any and all opportunities and truly appreciate the power of education.
My purpose and drive are fuelled by my ambition to have the freedom of choice that education provides. I hope an available choice in my future career will be to lead innovative and socially beneficial projects.
I look forward to connecting with you all as an amazing group of scholars.
Hi! I'm Izzy from North Wales (or a 'gog' - someone from the North - as we would say in Welsh). I am part of the 2022 scholars cohort and my research project is about Imposter Syndrome and sense of belonging. I study Psychology at the University of Leeds which I am thoroughly enjoying as I love people (and science/ evidence!). I chose this degree as I believe that understanding people's thoughts, motivations and behaviours is what is going to lead us to a more equal and just society. Working as a teaching assistant alongside children with special educational needs last year confirmed my intuition that I would like to go into social justice work after graduating. In my spare time I love to cycle, dance and swim outside.