I am currently studying Sustainable Development and International Relations at the University of St. Andrews where I also sit on the Environmental Sustainability Board that advises the University on its Net Zero by 2035 strategy. I have experience with green entrepreneurship having co-founded the zero-waste company Concept Zero and been part of the sustainability consultancy OnePointFive as an intern and Sustainability Associate. I am passionate about regenerative farming and design, urban planning and nature-based solutions. I worked as a Growth and Community Engagement intern at Second Time Founders where I gained experience with outreach and community building through storytelling. I am always keen to explore the ways in which systems thinking, community participation, conscious leadership and emotional intelligence can accelerate the transition towards healthy, just, biodiverse and carbon-negative societies.

Hello! I'm Marisa, a student at the University of Leeds and a Laidlaw Scholar of the 2023 cohort passionate about Research and Leadership. While undertaking a degree in International Business I appreciate the essence of skilled research, data-driven decisions and most importantly integral and ethical leadership. I am honoured to be part of a community of trailblazers and looking forward to this journey of gaining invaluable lessons, making great memories and building strong networks with other scholars. 

Hello and welcome to my Laidlaw scholarship experience!  Last summer I had the privilege to carry out research on invasive freshwater crayfish (it's as glamorous as it sounds) and have since presented my research in three conferences.   This summer I will be heading to the Peruvian Amazon as part of my LiA documenting the realities of conservation and voluntourism on local communities and the environment. 

Hello everyone! I'm Sarah (she/her) and I am a fourth-year undergraduate student in Philosophy at the University of St Andrews. I am particularly interested in the applications of philosophy to social and political issues, and how we can use philosophical arguments to inform policy decisions. As such, my research project concerned the appropriateness of belief and doubt in cases of sexual assault and the implications for university and legal policy. For my Leadership-in-Action, I conducted an evaluation of a sexual violence prevention education programme run by an NGO in Auckland, New Zealand

Hello, I'm Eoin O'Connor, currently studying Biological and Biomedical Science at Trinity College Dublin.  My research focuses on investigating the role of astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. I am particularly interested in understanding how inflammation outside the brain can exacerbate inflammatory and damaging events within the brain, ultimately leading to accelerated dementia. Outside of college, I enjoy reading and music. I play piano and guitar and have recently started performing at open mics. Some of my favourite bands include the Stone Roses and Fontaines D.C. Sport also plays a significant role in my life.

Hi, I'm Chico, a University of St Andrews student starting third year. I study Physics and Philosophy, being interested above all in the fundamental interpretations of quantum mechanics, metaphysics, and the impacts of non-determinism to the existence of free will. My Laidlaw research project was focused on analysing vanadium dioxide layered meta surfaces in search of epsilon near zero materials with tunable properties, utilising transfer matrix methods. Outside of my studies and project I enjoy reading, playing board games, chess and video-games, cooking and sometimes writing. Get in contact if you would like to chat about anything mentioned above or any subject you are passionate about. :)

I am from London, UK I study Philosophy and English at St Andrews My research/leadership project is about the philosophy of ecology - specifically, ways of thinking about Nature and what that entails for human beings. I will be evaluating the two main alternative models to the 'anthropocentric' one (which considers human beings separate two and above Nature). These are the Holistic view - that we should dissolve the human/nature barrier and consider ourselves as parts of one entangled system - and the Othering view - which defines what is natural as what is non-human.  I chose this project because I believe that the Earth Systems Crisis we are experiencing is not merely technological, but deeply rooted in the way humans beings think about nature. I also chose it because I find the ideas involved to be ecstatically beautiful, and to deepen by experience of the world.  When I'm not studying, I like to write and read poetry, spend hours in art galleries, wander in forests, and dance the nights away. I also help run Refugee Action St Andrews, as Vice President.  I'd love to connect with someone who is interested in philosophy, poetry, or nature, wherever they may be. 

I'm a chemist in my final year of the MChem with Industrial Placement programme at the University of St Andrews. My research focused on improvements to a Dye-Sensitised Solar Cell (DSSC) process used in the St Andrews undergraduate laboratory. For a brief overview, see my poster, or for a deeper dive you can read my research essay. My six week project was with _makesense Colombia and Picacho con futuro in Medellín to create socially innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainability and circular economy, designing and delivering workshops to understand what these concepts meant to the people and then to explore ways in which their lives intersect with the natural world. Academic Interests I'm currently researching solid-state materials including hexagonal tungsten bronzes and their structure-property relationships under selective doping. Outside of my research project, I'm also taking courses in catalysis, asymmetric synthesis and macromolecular bonding interactions. In my degree, I've also studied some astronomy and astrophysics - there's nothing like a good night looking at the stars! Personal Interests Outside of academic life, you'll find me always up for a board game (I was Secretary of a board game society once). I'm learning guitar, doing my best to pick French back up after a few years and have always been a great fan of cooking delicious food!

I am a Neuroscience student at Trinity College Dublin with a strong intrest in all things science.  My research project looks at the neurotoxicity of nanoplastics.  In my spare time I love to go sailing and hiking. 

Hello! I'm Heather, a third year student at the University of St. Andrews studying marine biology. As you might imagine, I am interested in almost all topics sea-related and have been enjoying spending my summer researching marine-mammal tracking technology in southern Iceland. The aim of my research has been to quantify the performance of certain aspects of this technology for the first time, the results of which will be used to inform design and procedure of future projects.

Hello! I'm Yoshino, a third-year student majoring in International Relations and Spanish. I love learning languages, travelling and meeting new people :)

Hello! I'm Noura, a University of St Andrews student heading into third year. I study International Relations and Modern History, and I particularly am interested in migrant rights and decolonial histories. My project aims to examine the experiences of children in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, pinpointing the uniqueness of those experiences and utilizing both data and autobiographies of enslaved people in order to come to new conclusions regarding our understandings of the slave trade.  Outside of my studies and project I love the outdoors, baking/cooking for my friends, art in all forms, and cultural exploration!  If you want to chat send me a message! I would love to connect with you about your project or interests, or if you have any knowledge that could contribute to my work!