Hello! I'm Crystal, a current third year medical student from Trinity College Dublin, and originally from Yangon, Myanmar. I think physicians are in a unique position where they are entrusted by patients, understand firsthand the shortcomings in patient care, and possess the biomedical knowledge and skills needed to drive meaningful change, placing them at the forefront of cutting-edge research that can directly benefit patient care. I would love to be a physician-scientist one day who can bridge scientific discovery with clinical practice.  My research explores the effects of smoking on innate immunity and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). I am fortunate to be part of a great research lab that allows me to explore my own ideas, design my own experiments, and, most importantly, keep moving forward when things do not go as planned!  I also love cooking and baking -- I am always thinking of what I should have for my next meal! 

Dia dhuit! My name is Seán Radcliffe and I am an Economics and Mathematics student at Trinity College Dublin. Outside of my studies, I am a political campaigner, pro-Palestine activist, and the Housing Rights Officer of my student union. I love to sing, travel, and have a laugh! This summer, under the academic supervision of Trinity Fellow and Associate Professor Dr. Davide Romelli, I will be conducting research at Trinity College Dublin on the effects of economic conditions, shocks, and crises on cocaine-related harm and deaths in Ireland between 2004 and 2024; "Reading Between the White Lines: An Investigation into Cocaine-Related Harm in Ireland During Periods of Economic Change and Crisis, 2004-2024." Using lagged regression models, statistical analysis, and interviews with experts, policymakers, and activists, my project aims to challenge damaging assumptions around drug addiction and harm in Ireland, particularly narratives that simplistically link economic growth and employment with reduced harm. Grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.

Hi! My name is Hayden Chernow and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I am a rising junior at Barnard College majoring in Urban Studies with a focus on the Middle East and Education.  My Laidlaw Scholars Research topic will examine how Jordan's growing refugee population impacts access to trauma-informed education.

Hey! My name is Leah Carroll, I am a current 2nd year student of English Studies at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the 2026 Laidlaw Leadership & Research Scholars cohort. After an unconventional path as an early school-leaver, I found my way to higher education through the Trinity Access Programme’s Foundation Course for Young Adults to pursue my lifelong passion for literature. While curious for all facets of the field, I have keen interest in women’s issues and feminist theory.    My research project, entitled ‘"Girls Who Say Nothing and Wear Black": Women of the Beat Generation’, aims to address an important critical gap by examining the continued marginalisation of women Beat poets despite their acknowledged literary and cultural influence. The study aims to contribute a more equitable understanding of the Beat generation as well as a broader appreciation of their influence outside the United States with particular reference to their importance to contemporary Irish women’s poetry.   Outside my studies and research, I love writing both prose and poetry, working on my own creative projects, going hiking with friends, and indulging in sports such as horse-riding and figure skating.  Please feel free to reach out and connect!

Dia dhaoibh! My name is Aoibheann, and I’m a 3rd-year physics student at Trinity College Dublin. I chose this course because it strikes the perfect balance between theory and experimentation, allowing me to explore the fundamental particles and forces that govern the universe—though I'm still working on fully understanding them! My research project delved into my latest fixation which is the history and philosophy of science. I focused on scientific authority in colonised Ireland, exploring how knowledge was often controlled and manipulated by those in power. It’s a topic that combines my love of history and science, as it reveals how knowledge itself can be a tool of influence. I’m really interested in understanding how science is never truly neutral—it can shape cultures, reinforce power dynamics, and even be used to control narratives, making it an issue that is still relevant in today's world. Beyond my studies, I love sea swimming and have trained as a lifeguard. I’m also a proud Irish speaker and love promoting Irish language and culture whenever I can.

I am the Programme Manager for the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme at Trinity College Dublin. Before joining the Careers and Development Service at Trinity College Dublin, I have been looking after a portfolio of open enrolment short executive education courses at Trinity and have over 10 years of experience in admissions, event coordination and higher education management across Ireland, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

Hi there! I'm Jane Emmins, a Senior Sophister in English Studies at Trinity College Dublin and alumna of the Laidlaw Scholarship. My Summer 1 research was concerned with representations of space, place, and utopianism in the literature of Fire Island 1940-2000. I was interested in exploring how contrasting authors handled ideas and constructions of 'gay paradise' as a means to interogate the nature of queer utopian desire(s) in America at this pivotal period in LGBTQ+ history.  My Summer 2 'Leadership-in-Action' saw me flying to Cape Town, South Africa to volunteer at SOS Children's Village in Thornton. I designed and delivered a six-week dance movement therapy based psychosocial intervention for orphaned, abandoned, and precariously housed children.  I am a lover of sacred music and a member of multiple choirs. My hobbies also include swimming in the sea and watching good television.  Feel free to reach out to me using my contact info. 

Hi, my name is Peter McNulty. I am an Undergraduate Leadership & Research Scholar at Trinity College Dublin. For my research project, I will be "Pricing the environmental impact of AI-related data centre energy consumption in Ireland" as I think that it is important to balance AI's economic benefits with the growing emissions and energy consumption burden that Ireland faces. This will involve a literature review of EU Carbon Policy, research into carbon market trends and computation of AI-specific consumption costs using EU ETS pricing frameworks. Outside of my studies, I play guitar, piano and sing in pubs! I also enjoy running long distances for charity.

Hi! My name is Emma and I'm a second year geography student at Trinity College Dublin. I hope to become a teacher in the future.  I've been involved in activism for about 5 years now and I'm extremely passionate about education and climate change. My research project will analyse how my university engages with class and socioeconomic status, particularly with regards to what it means to come from a working class background. I love to travel, meet new people, play videogames, and go for walks/hikes in nature.

Joel was the Laidlaw Programme Coordinator for Trinity (2018 - 2024). In this role he managed leadership development activities, student coaching, programme design, and the day-to-day support of the Laidlaw Scholars. He is currently the Equality Officer for Trinity, and works to promote equity, belonging, and non-discrimination for Trinity staff, students, and the wider Trinity community, in all areas of university life and with particular regard to the protected grounds in equality legislation. He has previously worked in a range of higher education development roles including student services and global engagement. In 2026 he is a supervisor for a Laidlaw Scholar research project entitled 'A Class Education: How does Trinity engage with class and socioeconomic status in 2026?'. He is a founder and current Co-Chair of Trinity's LGBTIQ+ Staff Network and is committed to Trinity's mission of fostering excellence and creating social good by championing an accessible, diverse higher education environment. A graduate of Trinity, he holds a B.A. (Mod.) in English Studies, and further qualifications in Learning, Development and Coaching (CIPD), EDI Policy and People; Teaching, Learning and Assessment for Academic Practice (TCD), and as a Certified Student Affairs Educator (HECSAC).

Hi everyone! My name is Anna and I'm part of the 2026 Laidlaw Scholars cohort at Trinity College Dublin, where I study Mathematics with a minor in Statistics. For my research project, I'll be exploring a question that is becoming more important as AI develops: who is better at predicting the future, humans or algorithms? I'll be comparing forecasts from machine learning models with those from prediction markets, where collective human judgement is turned into live probabilities. After the 2024 US elections, prediction markets rapidly gained attention for correctly predicting the outcome before many traditional forecasts. At the same time, AI is making data-driven forecasting more powerful than ever. Through quantitative analysis, I'm curious to see whether the best predictions come from human insight, algorithmic pattern recognition, or perhaps a combination of both. More broadly, I am interested in using mathematics to better understand and solve real-world problems like this one. I'm especially drawn to the way it combines logic with creativity, allowing us to approach challenges from different angles and develop efficient and innovative solutions. Outside of academics, I'm also a huge music lover, from hip hop and rock to hard techno. For me, a good time almost always involves music, dancing, or both :) Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss research, share music recommendations, or simply chat!

Hello! My name is Anna Halvey, and I am an undergraduate student of Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology (PPES) at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholars 2026 cohort. I am broadly interested in political behaviour, public discourse, and the ways technology shapes how we understand and engage with the world. As such, my summer research project, Delegated Citizenship in the New Public Sphere, explores the growing role of social media influencers in shaping political understanding and behaviour in an Irish context. Rather than relying primarily on traditional political institutions or mainstream news media, many citizens now engage with digital intermediaries who frame, simplify, and interpret political information on their behalf. Drawing on survey data and semi-structured interviews, I will examine whether Irish citizens are increasingly outsourcing political judgement to these actors, how this shapes political behaviour, and what implications this may have for the public sphere. In light of ongoing policy debates around democratic protection, the era of misinformation, and the rise of populism and post-truth politics, I believe this is a particularly important moment to study how political understanding is formed in digitally mediated environments. My interests outside academia reflect these themes. I have a history of environmental, gender equality, and mental health activism at a local and national level. I am particularly interested in policy addressing climate (in)justice and the protection of human rights. Beyond this, I love being out in nature, learning about subjects outside my discipline, and trying a different genre of music every week. Feel free to reach out if you have questions, want to discuss research, or simply chat about your niche interests - I would love to hear from you!

I’m a Speech and Language Therapy student at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the 2026 Laidlaw Scholars cohort. I returned to education as a mature student and single parent after experiencing firsthand the impact that Speech and Language Therapists can have on people’s lives, which inspired me to pursue the profession myself. My research interests focus on socioeconomic inequality, access to education, inclusion, and student belonging within higher education. Through the Laidlaw Programme, I’m exploring how historically elite institutions such as Trinity engage with class and socioeconomic diversity, and how universities can move beyond widening access towards creating genuinely inclusive environments for students from all backgrounds. Alongside my studies, I’m involved in student representation work as the TAP representative on the Students’ Union Equality and Welfare Committee, where I advocate for equity and inclusion within university life. Outside of academia, I’m also a DJ with a love for garage and jungle music, and a very dedicated bird mother 🐥  

Hello! My name is Lochlann, and I am a student at Trinity College Dublin and part of the 2026 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars. My Summer 1 research project focuses on the role of private supplementary tuition (“grinds”) in the academic achievement gap between public and private schools in Ireland. Using quantitative analysis of Irish educational data, I aim to investigate whether access to grinds contributes to differences in examination performance and broader educational inequality. Through this research, my overarching goal is to contribute to conversations surrounding fairness, access to opportunity and educational policy. By examining how socio-economic advantage may shape educational outcomes, I hope to better understand the structures that influence inequality within education systems. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please feel free to reach out!

Hello! My name is Bhadra, and I am a third-year Law and Business student at Trinity College Dublin. I am part of the 2025 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars. My Summer 1 research topic was 'Motherhood on Trial: A Comparative Analysis of the Miscarriage of Justice in Infanticide Cases', and I took an inter-jurisdictional perspective in examining three notable cases - those of Joanne Hayes, Sally Clarke and Kathleen Folbigg. I look forward to spending this summer working on Makesense Americas' Central LiA in Mexico City with Genera Territorios AC. The organisation works on financial empowerment, social inclusion and gender equity, and I am excited to support their aims. Through my work, my overarching goal is to highlight how women exist and are perceived within inherently oppressive social systems. If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please feel free to do so!

Amy is the Programme Director of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme. She works with universities, NGO’s, government departments, businesses and charity partners to manage and develop programmes which further the Laidlaw Foundation’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, Amy spent 9 years leading the US-UK Fulbright Scholarship Programme, working with students, academics, professionals, and teachers across every discipline. She has gained 15+ years working within Higher Education and is passionate about cultural exchange and the benefits it can bring to impactful research and solving global challenges. Prior to this, she led faculty-led programmes hosting US students in the UK and managed a busy student services. She studied American Studies at Sheffield University and University of Pittsburgh.  

Hello! I recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology Research from the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about youth mental health and how humour can be used to support resilience after adversity. My Summer 1 research project explored the relationship between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation — deepening my understanding of the psychological impacts of early trauma. In Summer 2, I led a Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated a comedy-based mental health program for teens. That experience led me to found HaHaHelps — an organization that uses improv comedy to support youth mental health through accessible, community-led workshops. I am currently conducting a feasibility study of the program in South Africa as part of my master’s dissertation in Psychology at the University of Cape Town, with plans to expand to more communities globally. Please feel free to connect :) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younessrobert-tahiri Email: youness@hahahelps.org