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.

Hi! I'm Emma and I'm a first 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 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!

Hello! I'm Charlie, an Economics student at the University of Leeds. I'm drawn to questions at the intersection of technology, opportunity, and fairness within employment - and what it actually takes to level the playing field. My research explores what employability gaps and challenges future generations  [Gen Z and Gen Alpha] will actually face, and what educational experiences need to look like to address them. The central question within my research is what various tools could be deliberately designed to close this gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students - given that access to the internships, coaching, and networking that build professional capital remains deeply unequal. Having seen that inequality firsthand, I want this research to produce something actionable - concrete design recommendations for educators and institutions preparing young people for a rapidly evolving world of work. Outside of research, I'm most myself when I'm playing and connecting - whether that's through football, padel, or a long chess game. I love travelling and new experiences. If you'd like to talk about educational equity, AI in education, or just swap travel recommendations, I'd love to connect.

Hi, I'm an undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics student at the University of Leeds. I have a nascent yet keen interest in AI ethics and the green economy, and I am fascinated about how these will shape the global political landscape in years to come.  My research focuses on how to make community voices truly heard – placing them at the heart of discussion and providing them with the tools to champion and facilitate local projects. I am proud advocate for community power: with the world at times feeling as alienated as ever, our communities and networks grow even more vital. I am indebted to the communities I grew up in, and they undoubtedly shaped who I am today.  I have a passion for filmmaking and run music events in Leeds and London, collaborating with some of my favourite DJs. I also love running and the outdoors, and want to see as much of the world as I can. 

I am currently a undergraduate student at the University of Leeds pursuing a degree in International Business. With the Laidlaw Scholarship I have participated in two leadership development residentials with the Laidlaw team at Leeds along with my cohort. My research project was titled "Exploring the Most Efficient Mapping Techniques and Platform to Map Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"  which was a insightful exploration of curriculum mapping and the possibilities for artificial intelligence to assist within the mapping process. My Leadership-in-Action was with make_sense americas & Rennueva taking place in Mexico City over 6-weeks, with a focus on climate impact. My team focused on implementing improvements to the companies website such as displaying the amount of carbon saved through the amount of plastic donated.

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. 

Hi! I’m Katya, a third-year English and French student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025/26 Laidlaw Scholar cohort, currently completing my LiA in Auckland, New Zealand.   My research project topic last summer was titled ‘Distinctiveness in the Poetry Activity of the Leeds City Region’. I worked in partnership with the National Poetry Centre to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the poetry scene, which allowed me to draw conclusions about the levels of connectivity and accessibility of poetry in Leeds. I’m originally from Russia but moved to Slovenia for political reasons when I was 15, then to the UK at 19, and just completed an academic year abroad in Canada, so I’ve had a fair share of adapting to new places. Moving countries meant leaving behind everything I knew, including eight years of acrobatic gymnastics, but it also helped me become more open to change. I see each new chapter as a chance to grow, connect, and tell meaningful stories. Outside of uni, you’ll probably find me at the gym (a post-acrobatics obsession), with my nose in a book, or planning my next trip—I’ve been to 36 countries so far and don’t plan on slowing down!

Hey! It's so nice to connect with you. I'm a Business Management with Marketing Student at the University of Leeds and in the 2025/2026 Laidlaw Scholar Network. My research project is 'Exploring Student Perceptions and Experiences of Experiential Learning at the University of Leeds', and I'm so excited to be a part of this programme! I'm extremely passionate about leadership, creative problem-solving and driving impact through everything I do. Alongside my studies, I'm a highly productive individual who balances multiple part-time jobs such as being a Marketing Executive, Podcast Director for Women in Leadership Society and a Social Sciences Student Ambassador. I also love creating content around personal growth, student life and career development and utilise my platform (on TikTok and Youtube) to connect, inspire and share value. As an extrovert, I love spreading positivity both in person and online and look forward to getting to know you!

Hello! I’m Angela, a first-year Business Management student at the University of Leeds and part of the 2025 Laidlaw Scholar cohort. This summer, I’ll be researching the pre-defined project “The Past, Present and Future of Latin America and Leeds.” In my free time, I love reading, painting, and exploring poetry. I'm also an active person and enjoy sports such as cross-country running, swimming, and football. I'm currently learning French and love travelling as a way to explore different cultures. I'm always excited to learn, grow and connect with people from everywhere.  

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. 

Hello! I am Harry, a second-year student at the University of Leeds, UK. I am currently studying a joint-honours undergraduate degree in Law with Hispanic Law. For my first summer of research, I delved into a project titled 'Education for Sustainable Development: Scoping Animal Welfare Legislation and Policy across North Africa and the Gulf'. This project took a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach, researching complex problems with legal, ethical, and biological levels to it. I am looking forward to seeing the opportunities and chances the Laidlaw Scholarship affords me. If anyone would like to get in touch feel free to email me at lnsz4031@leeds.ac.uk.

Hello! I'm Fraser, a second-year biochemistry student at the University of Leeds. My main passion is biochemistry, but my interests extend across science and philosophy. I am ever-curious and love to learn and debate with my friends. The research project I will be embarking on this summer is titled: "Reimagining Electrophysiology Teaching for Neuroscience Undergraduates through a Design-Thinking Approach." I chose this project because I understand the importance of proper education in understanding and advancing science. The ineffectual education of complex scientific themes, like the brain, leads to misconceptions among the scientific community and the wider public. This can inhibit the advancements of science and impair related practices, such as the care of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. In my free time, I love playing sports. My favourites include rugby, football and tennis, but I am always eager to try something new. I also enjoy listening to music, doing resistance training at the gym, playing my bass guitar, and being in nature. Feel free to drop me a message or email me at zrwh2552@leeds.ac.uk to discuss research, university, or just to say hi. :)

Hello!  I’m Xanthe Hudson, a Geography BA undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar. My academic interests focus on global geopolitics, climate change and the intersection of human and physical geography. This summer, my research project explores academic censorship and self-censorship across disciplines, examining how legal threats, intimidation and professional retaliation impact academic freedom. Through surveying researchers, I aim to identify vulnerable fields, underlying power dynamics and explore the wider implications for knowledge production in biodiversity conservation. Beyond academia, I’m driven by a strong curiosity about global issues and love to meet and learn from new people. During my time spent in rural Nepal, I supported initiatives addressing period poverty and improving education in communities still affected by the 2015 earthquakes. These experiences deepened my understanding of how grassroots education can help to drive sustainable change. Before university, I took a gap year, travelling to Morocco and Nepal and spending three months solo in Namibia, where I worked on a remote horse ranch and a cheetah conservation project. These experiences challenged me and have shaped my global perspective by exposing me to new cultures and narratives.   I am excited to be a part of the Laidlaw community and open to connecting with other scholars!

Hello!  I am Lottie Knee, a Philosophy and Politics undergraduate student at the University of Leeds and a part of the 2025 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars.  Building on my background in normative ethics, international development, and foreign policy, this summer I investigated Academic Freedom and Censorship in Biodiversity Conservation. My research explores how political pressures, freedom of speech, and censorship influence conservation work, engaging with real incidents where knowledge and debate have been constrained. This project challenges me to enter a new area of study while strengthening the critical and ethical frameworks developed in my degree.  Outside of academia, I love to travel. I took a gap year before attending university where I solo travelled Australia, Indonesia and The Philippines. This was a fantastic opportunity for adventure, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.  I am always open to connect with others within the Laidlaw community! 

Ciao! I'm Leonardo, a Laidlaw Scholar passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating meaningful change in this world. I come from Italy, and at 17, I took an uncomfortable step by moving alone to the UK to pursue my studies, determined to gain access to an English university, networks, and growth opportunities. My research title is: "Using Points of Interest Data to Understand Retail Change in Great Britain, 2015 – 2025", which deeply connects with my entrepreneurial objectives. Through Laidlaw, I'm excited to expand my leadership capabilities, refine essential entrepreneurial skills and find new people within this amazing network! I'm passionate about engaging with Laidlaw's diverse global community, exchanging perspectives, and fostering long-lasting connections. I look forward to contributing my experiences, collaborating with fellow scholars, and continuously growing as both a leader and an individual. Please feel free to connect; I’m genuinely excited to share ideas, collaborate, and explore innovative solutions together! Leonardo Linkedin  leonardogareri05@gmail.com