Nice to meet you! I'm a first-year economics student at the University of Leeds and a proud member of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort. My interests lie in ethical frameworks and how they define economies. I'm currently reading Mencius, and I'd love to discuss it with anyone who's familiar with Confucianism.
During my summer research, I will be working alongside Anastasia Asres to evaluate the compliance of a selection of firms in the UK to dimensions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 using computational methods.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing piano, walking my dog and going to the arcade or bowling with my friends. I'm also learning Mandarin and hope to spend a year in Hangzhou as part of my undergraduate degree.
I'm excited to be here, and hope I get to exchange knowledge and ideas with as many people as possible!
Hi, I'm George. I'm an Economics and Human Geography student at the University of Leeds researching animal welfare legislation and ethical review policies across Africa. I'm inspired by thinkers like David Graeber and Joshua Citarella who use a multidiciplinary approach to understanding global challenges.
Outside of university, I'm undergoing flying training and leadership development with the RAF and love live music, hiking and travelling.
Feel free to get in touch!
Hello everyone!
I am a first year Natural Sciences student at the University of Leeds, and I am interested in pursuing a career in research. I'm currently studying Physics, Chemistry and Maths and am fascinated by the practical applications of sciences and how they can help others.
My Laidlaw research project is focused on the defluoridation of groundwater via an ion exchange process. I hope to be able to take my research and implement it in Tanzania to provide a sustainable water source for people in Arusha.
Hello! I am a first year English Literature student studying at the University of Leeds. My research is about the glamourisation and romanticisation of True Crime.
I am a first-year Electronic and Electrical Engineering student at the University of Leeds and a UKESF Semiconductor Talent Award holder. My research explores what machine learning models are actually learning when applied to physical systems, investigating whether they capture genuine physical principles or simply identify patterns in data. Through this project, I hope to develop my understanding of AI, strengthen my Python and analytical skills, and contribute to the responsible use of machine learning in scientific research.
Hello!
My name is Leyla and I’m a first year student at the University of Leeds studying Biomedical Sciences. I have a keen interest in pharmacology as well as science and public health communication.
This summer I will be working on a project titled: The Development of Public Engagement Materials for the Pharmacology Degree Programme. This focuses on exploring the public’s understanding of pharmacology and prospective student’s expectations of the subject in order to create resources that improve public awareness of pharmacology.
Outside of academics, I enjoy travelling, reading, hiking and spending time outdoors. If you would like to chat, whether about pharmacology, public health communication or otherwise, I am happy to connect!
Hello I am Ella!
I am an undergraduate Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Leeds, driven by a curiosity to understand the biological processes that underpin health and disease. I am particularly passionate about exploring how scientific research can be translated into real-world medical advancements.
Alongside my studies, I dedicate time to an array of extracurricular activities that reflect my interests, including performing arts, hiking and acting as an avid member of my university hockey team.
My research project is entitled 'Active Learning Strategies for Biomedical Education: A Design Thinking Approach'. My findings will be used to critically evaluate the active learning strategies currently used in biomedical education.
As part of the Laidlaw network, I am excited to connect with like-minded individuals, broaden my perspective, and contribute positively through shared ideas and collaboration. So please don't hesitate to reach out as I am always happy to connect!
Hi there!
I’m Claudia, a second-year undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a proud member of the 2026 cohort. I study Biology, History and Philosophy of Science which takes a holistic lens to science. This allows me to explore and question our current knowledge, and its objectivity.
This summer I’ll be setting off my Laidlaw experience researching at The University of Hong Kong’s School of Biomedical Sciences. With Professor Sugimura, I aim to transdifferentiate myeloid progenitor cells to Natural Killer cells, an essential part of our innate immune system. NK cells identify and destroy cancerous cells, thus constructing them in vitro could provide a useful treatment to cancer.
Alongside learning I feel the happiest outdoors with other people. I love being active, running and going on long walks, or being more relaxed, doing yoga and exploring new places with friends (especially love if a cafe is involved).
I’m really excited to be part of this incredible opportunity and hope to learn and connect with as many scholars as possible. Please reach out to talk about research or anything else at all!
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.
Hi! I'm Bruna, a first-year English Literature undergraduate at Durham University, currently working on my research project. My passion for stories is reflected in my research which focuses on examining storytelling's role in policymaking in creative fields in County Durham.
I am from Brazil but have lived in the Netherlands and Kuwait and therefore have come to love learning all about languages and cultures. Moving around also means I am always open to learning more and adapting to new situations.
In my free time, I am usually cosplaying an old grandma: I crochet, embroider, bake and read. At times, I may also be playing the sims.
Please feel free to reach out!
qmcj48@durham.ac.uk
Hi, I'm Itiafa Ayeni, a 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.
I am a Criminal Justice and Criminology undergraduate student at the University at Leeds, with an interest in bodily autonomy, transgender rights, and experiences of social marginalisation. I am passionate about social research, heritage, and dispelling pseudo-scientific misinformation. I intend to create a dissertation exploring how to combat the negative effects of discriminatory media campaigns on trans rights in the UK. I have recently participated in the Laidlaw Research Programme to bring a creative approach to the historical collections of the Royal Armouries, and am currently planning my LIA project.
Hi there, I'm Joe, an undergraduate student at the University of Leeds, and a part of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort, in the second year of my studies, undertaking an integrated master's in Civil Engineering. I'm from a coastal village in Northumberland, UK. Around my studies, I love hiking, playing ice hockey and spending time with friends.
Academically, as aforementioned, I'm interested in a wide range of civil engineering disciplines, including structural and environmental engineering; my research project is in a slightly different field, however. Over the course of the summer, I shall be studying applicability of neuromorphic imaging, set cameras for use to measure and map cell deformities in real time.
I'm, very excited to be a part of the Laidlaw community, and I'd love to meet as many people as possible so please feel free to reach out to this email address bcms1943@leeds.ac.uk .
Hi! I’m Evie, an undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying a joint honours in Law with Hispanic Law. I am deeply motivated by the prospect of making meaningful change through legal and political research, with a specific interest in language, culture and international human rights.
This summer I will be researching the project entitled ‘Queering Citizenship: LGBT+ Activism in Democratic Transitions in South America’, which aims to take an intersectional approach to understanding the treatment of queer individuals in South America through primarily researching and analysing archives.
I am really excited to learn more, and extremely grateful to be able to participate in and contribute to the Laidlaw programme!
Hello! I’m Jess, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Leeds with a strong interest in sustainable development, climate‑resilient design, and the role of engineering in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m particularly motivated by how infrastructure can be designed to support communities and contribute to a more sustainable future.
This summer, I’ll be working on 'Turning CO2 into power: Investigating how Ni-Co morphology affects electrode performance in CO2 batteries' with Professor Fang at HKU. I’m still at the early stages of the project, but I’m excited to explore emerging approaches to carbon utilisation and the potential for converting CO2 into usable energy. I’m looking forward to contributing to research that sits at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and low‑carbon technologies.
Outside of academics, I really enjoy going climbing and going on long walks/hikes. When I am not outdoors, though, I will probably be watching a k-drama in my room to relax.
Please get in touch to talk about anything engineering or sustainability related, or if you have a good k-drama recommendation!
Hello! I’m a second-year Economics student at the University of Leeds, with a strong interest in economic inequalities and development.
My research focuses on the Leeds University Business School Skills Maps - a visual representation of the skills that the student’s course is equipping them with. I investigate the extent to which these programme-level skills maps develop student employability through self-awareness and articulation, and how they can be improved to better support this.
Outside of my studies, I enjoy live music and exploring new things, whether it be a place, form of fitness, or a food spot.
Please feel free to connect!
I'm a Law student at the University of Leeds.
My interests lie between Law and politics, and I've acquired a lot of experience in these sectors over the years. My main goal is to work in public policy and within Human rights Law.
Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a second year undergraduate student at the University of Leeds studying French and Italian.
This summer I will undertake research for the project 'Listening to Feminist Art Histories: Researching and Sharing Voices from the FAMH Oral History Archive'. The Feminist Art Making Histories digital archive consists of interviews with artists, curators, and writers in the UK and Ireland from the 1970s onwards, exploring the relation between feminism and art. My findings will form part of Dr Elspeth Mitchell and the FAMH team's wider work of foregrounding the experiences of women artists in an engaging and accessible way to the public. My interest in intersectional feminism and of the importance of representation drew me towards this project, and I'm looking forward to engaging with feminst art histories with the FAMH.
As a Modern Languages student and a native Welsh speaker, I'm passionate about languages and cross-cultural communication. I'm particularly interested in the way languages shape identities and build communities. Outside of my studies I enjoy reading, running, baking and travelling.
I'm excited to begin my journey of research and leadership as a Laidlaw Scholar as well as connecting with other Scholars across the Global Network!
Hello there! I'm Presto, a second-year Environmental Science student at the University of Leeds. I am still immersing myself in different disciplines of Environmental Science, such as Hydrology, Ecology, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, etc... but my self-defined research project stemmed from my upbringing in Myanmar. Coming from Mandalay, Myanmar, I had been exposed to political conflict driving multiple humanitarian crises, including internal and external displacement, inflation, and human rights violations. However, my interest lies in how armed conflict can quietly accelerate environmental degradation, a relationship that remains poorly quantified in Myanmar. My research is a spatiotemporal analysis to examine the impacts on the environment in Central Myanmar between 2020 and 2024, and to explore if these changes intersect with escalations of armed conflict patterns. Outside my academic pursuits, I feel at home practising music, from songwriting, playing instruments, to singing. I try to be an inspired and creative person by travelling. I'd love to connect with fellow Laidlaw scholars.