Mairéad Graham (She/Her)

Undergraduate Student, Durham University
Daniela Garavito

Program coordinator, make_sense

Samantha Diaz

Impact Programs Coordinator, MAKESENSE_AMERICAS

Cameron Coutts

Student, St Andrews University

Hi I'm a Student at St Andrews, investigating the role of Russian Emigres in opinion making within the UK, both in the victorian era and today
Gabriela Venegas-Ramirez

student, Brown University

Hi! My name is Gabi, I am Colombian and Chilean, and I study International and Public Affairs at Brown University. I care deeply about human rights everywhere, and have spent the majority of my university years organizing for labor and immigrant rights, as well as food and housing security. I started and currently lead our school's chapters of Amnesty International and Food Not Bombs. I hope to one day work in international human rights law, or documentary production.
Francesca Lainé

Student, University of Leeds

Hi! My name is Francesca and I am entering my third and final year at the University of Leeds studying Geography (BSc).  My research project focused on understanding students' expectations of sustainability in their curriculum and experience at the University. The research gained a well rounded perspective of sustainability practices in academic settings and how student voice can be an effective tool for engaging in sustainability further and creating beneficial change.  My LiA is with the make_sense organisation in Medellín, Colombia and focuses on Peace and Social Resilience within Picacho, an area in the city.   I look forward to connecting with many like-minded individuals who are eager to make significant change and adapt the needs of humanity in this climate crisis. 
Maisy Langan

Student, Durham University

Hi there! I’m Maisy and I’m a second year Sociology student at Durham University. I’m passionate about working to make the education system a more accessible and equal environment. 
Kate Dalrymple

Student, Durham University

Third year MEng undergraduate, particularly interested in biomedical engineering. 
Thom Brooks

Professor of Law and Government, Durham University

Alexander Belay

Student, Durham University

Kayla Kim

Knowledge Management and Learning Analyst, United Nations Development Programme

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.
Eleanor James

Student & A&E HCA, Durham Univeristy

Aaryn McDonald-Brown

Biological Sciences Student, Durham University

Hi! My name is Aaryn and I'm entering my third and final year of Biological Sciences at Durham University. I completed my research project in summer 2024, with a Leadership in Action project in Boston, summer 2025. My research project focused on the regulation of stem cells in model organism Drosophila melanogaster (common fruit flies) specifically investigating genes linked to cancer in humans and my LiA is with the Timothy Smith Network. I am particularly interested in genetics and disease, and I would like to pursue a career in clinical research. Outside of my studies, I also work as a student librarian, and I enjoy singing in my college jazz band and musicals, playing netball, reading, and art!
Lizzie Hall

Biological Science student, Durham University

Hello! I'm Lizzie, a third year Biological Science student at Durham University currently focussing on biomedicine, genetics, and biochemistry. I have been extremely involved in sports during school and my degree, which inspired my first year research project. I conducted interviews with current student athletes studying and competing at top UK universities to explore hustle culture within university sports and its impact on student athletes' health and wellbeing.  I have spent my LiA at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus creating an Impact Report with Cambridge Global Health Partnerships, a linked charity to Addenbrooke's Hospital. CGHP provides ethical, effective, and sustainable partnerships between the East of England and low- and middle-income countries. My task has been to showcase the incredible impact of these partnerships in strengthening health systems globally. My Laidlaw scholarship has been a great experience so far and has provided me many opportunities. As the Advisory Board is designed to improve scholars experiences during your time with the Laidlaw scholarship, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or feedback or fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=m1iBtASKYUmzmpVa7SUZOYAOFAGNJNdOhV2pziMDdMZURFE0SEkxVTFDSEQ2TjhXR0cwNlNSMUFKUy4u&route=shorturl
Maggie Naylor

Law Student, Durham University

Mariam Habib Matta

Student, London School of Economics and Political Science

Hi! I'm Mariam, a Politics student at the LSE.  I would love to connect so ping me a message here or by email at: m.a.habib-matta@lse.ac.uk / m.habib-matta@gmail.com
Luke Sewell

Scholar, University of Durham

Tilly Forster

Student, Durham University

I am a second year undergraduate at Durham University studying sociology. Through my Laidlaw Scholarship, I worked with Dr Michelle Addison and three other students in order to complete the research project 'Imposter Syndrome in the Classroom: What are the impacts on students' learning experiences and how can academic practice be improved?'. For my second summer as a Laidlaw Scholar, I was selected by MakeSense to complete a Leadership in Action project in Marseille, France.
Tia Bulgen

Student, Durham University

Edie Vernol

Geography Student, Durham University

Hello! I'm Edie, a Physical Geography student at Durham University, with aspirations to enter the sustainable agriculture and environment world once I graduate. I'm really interested in how we can marry together the developing needs of humanity in a time of climate change and planetary uncertainty. 
Emily Jack

Biosciences student, Durham University

Hello! I am Emily, a Biosciences student at Durham University with aspirations to become an academic researcher. I am particularly interested in molecular biology and genetics.  I love meeting people and learning new things - I would love to connect with you!