I am a current Biochemistry Undergraduate at the University of Oxford. I am happily a part of the 2026 Laidlaw Scholar Cohort.  I am very grateful to be a part of this programme where I am able to develop my character and behaviours to become a more ethical leader. I want to also be able to provide a positive impact on the people around me, my community and the world at large in all means possible. I have a particular interest in gender equality and improving women's reproductive health. I am also interested in climate action and protecting our oceans and lands.  As a previous tutor, mentor and being a state-school student, I can attest to seeing the differences in educational attainment between certain regions and demographics. Through the Laidlaw Research programme, I will be able to conduct research on how co-curricular activities can be used to supplement students who are unlikely to consider higher education or have low educational attainment, and improve their wellbeing and ambitions.

Hello! My name is Victoria Dai, and I'm a second year at Cornell University, located in New York, majoring in Biology and Society on the pre-med track. I am passionate about working with local communities and people of all ages, from children in Head Start programs to elderly adults in hospice care. For my Leadership-in-Action project during the summer of 2026, I partnered with make_sense Americas to collaborate with Picacho Con Futuro, a local NGO in Comuna 6 of Medellín, Colombia. The goal of the LiA is to developed a proposal for a new cultural café designed to serve as a welcoming community space and support local social and economic development. Outside of Laidlaw and academics, I enjoy singing in an a cappella group, playing tennis and the piano, and spending time knitting. I love visiting new countries and trying different global foods! I would love to meet more people so please don't hesitate to reach out! 

Hello, I'm Katarina, an incoming second year Physics student at Durham University. I've enjoyed my time so far in the 2026 cohort with my project about mitigating the effects of light pollution. My dream LiA placement would involve immersion in nature, traditional craftsmanship and driving sustainable fashion. I hope to find something like this! I aim to continue studying Physics to PhD level, and am particularly interested in researching sustainable technology. My passion for public speaking shapes my goal of driving scientific communication globally as a vessel for change. My interests beyond academia include electric guitar, fashion and sewing, boxing, and reading, as I've been fortunate enough to study an English Literature module this year.

Hi! I'm a 3rd year medical student at Imperial College London. I'm interested in how cross-sector parternships can improve health and well-being (SDG3) for all.

Hello! I am a second year Sociology BA student at Durham University in Northern England. Located in London, I am an aspiring sociological researcher, with particular focus on education and curriculum studies. Outside of the wonderful world of Laidlaw, I am a Comment Editor on our University newspaper, Palatinate, a Course Representative in the SU, and full-time hobby artist. 

Hello! I'm Eleanor, currently an undergraduate student of French and German at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar.  My research project focuses on 'Telling the stories of Colonial Populations in the French Resistance through podcasts'. This forms part of Professor Wardleworth's larger ongoing research project to identify members of the French Internal Resistance in WW2 who were from the French Empire, in an effort to diversify and decolonise knowledge about this period. I am fascinated by the global impact of colonialism and inter-colonial perspectives, and aim to work in the politicial field in the future. I am incredibly excited to bring my interests alive through this project. Outside of academia, I love to hike, travel and meet new people.  Feel free to get in touch!