I'm Nora, a final year undergraduate student studying History and Art History at Trinity College Dublin. I'm originally from Massachusetts in the United States. I'm interested in the intersection between history and art history: I'm fascinated by the people, communities, and cultures behind the art, and the social spheres in which art was produced. I also am very interested in heritage sites and the preservation of history and visual culture through architecture. In my free time, I enjoy visiting museums, going to cafes, and taking long walks around Dublin. My 2024 Laidlaw research project examines the homes of women living outside of heteronormative conventions in early-twentieth century Dublin. 

Laidlaw Scholar 2024/2025 Ancient & Medieval History & Culture (AMHC) Student at Trinity College Dublin Research Project Title: Late Devensian glaciation and its influence on medieval urban development in the Irish Midlands Interested in all things historical & environmental!

Law student at Trinity with a passion for human and environmental rights! Love cooking and developing recipes in my free time. 

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. 

Hey! My name is Domhnall and I am a medical student at Trinity College Dublin. My research areas of interest include infectious diseases and clinical trials. My hobbies outside of medicine include Irish music and running. 

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.

Hey everyone my name is Eva and I'm part of the 2023 Laidlaw scholar cohort. I'm currently studying pharmacy at Trinity college Dublin. I'm really interested in looking at how the development  of novel therapeutics can be used to solve current challenges in the medical field.  My Summer 1 research project focuses on the antimicrobial action of capsaicin on H. pylori cells and how this could be incorporated into current antibiotic regimes. 

Hi! I am a 3rd year student in Trinity College Dublin, studying Management Science and Information Systems. My research project will focus on the area of disinformation, specifically the features of disinformation that lead it to being spread online. 

Hi! I am a 4th year undergraduate scholar at Trinity College Dublin studying Global Business, and I am currently on my study abroad in ESCP Paris. My research project centres on the importance of female leaders from ethnic minorities in the business C-suite & the necessity for better racial and gender diversity on executive boards worldwide.  I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing new things on this journey!

Laidlaw Scholar Alumna graduating from BA Management Science and Informations Systems Studies at Trinity College Dublin. My research topic fell outside of my undergrad, I explored the current structures that are in place for the Irish Language Feature Film Industry and its potential for the future. My second summer saw me move around various regions of Nepal, telling the stories of children and staff at SOS Children's Villages, through photo and video. 

Joel was the Laidlaw Programme Coordinator for Trinity (2018 - 2024). In this role he managed leadership development activities, student coaching, programme design, and the day-to-day support of the Laidlaw Scholars. He is currently the Equality Officer (Acting) for Trinity.  Prior to joining the Careers Service, he worked in Trinity's Academic Registry as a Team Manager (Communications and Human Resources) with a focus on developing modern and inclusive support services for students and staff. He has previously worked with Trinity's Office of Global Relations to develop the Global Room and Campus Visit initiatives for international students. He is a founder and current Co-Chair of Trinity's LGBT+ Staff Network and is committed to Trinity's mission of fostering excellence by empowering accessibility and diversity in higher education. A graduate of Trinity, he holds a B.A. (Mod.) in English Studies, a Special Certificate in Academic Practice, and a nominal Master in Arts (Dubl.) from the university as well as a CIPD Diploma in Learning and Development (CIPD). 

Hi! I am a third-year English student at TCD. If I had to define my field of interest it would be words... How they are used to influence others and the way they shape us and the world we live in. My Research project focuses precisely on that: how the words that have been written over and over again in literature, and that we now recognise as the "literary canon", have influenced the view of those who are not part of this canon, or whose voices have not been heard. In my free time you can find me writing, painting or wandering in nature.  If you have any similar interests or if you want to know more about my research shoot me a text here on the network, I'd love to connect!

I am currently an undergraduate PPES student at Trinity College Dublin. I have chosen the Joint Honours Pathway, specialising in Political Science and Sociology.  My research project for summer one, titled "Sporting Bonds: Can sporting programmes properly facilitate the meaningful integration of migrant and host communities in Ireland?", concerns the efficacy of community-led integrative programmes that use sport as a means of blurring inter-cultural barriers and bringing together diverse communities. I will be working with Sport Against Racism Ireland, an established Irish NGO that delivers various sporting programmes aimed at facilitating and implementing anti-discrimination practices in Irish communities.  In my spare time I enjoy playing football and basketball, reading, and wandering around taking photos of things I see. 

I'm a final year European Studies student, majoring in Spanish and minoring in German, in Trinity College Dublin. My research concerns the memory, experience, and discourse of gendered violence in the Irish and Spanish civil wars. For my LiA, I worked with Women Rights Initiative (WORI), a grassroots, Ugandan women-led women's rights organisation in Jinja, Uganda, focusing on resource mobilisation.

Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and am currently doing a Master’s in Anthropology at UCL. Degrees I struggle to explain at parties. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio, wandering aimlessly with a podcast in my ears, attempting a handstand, or watching far too much TV. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.

Alex was the Programme Director of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme from September 2021 - May 2024.  Prior to joining the Laidlaw Foundation Alex spent over a decade at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where he most recently managed the university’s Laidlaw Scholars Programme. In addition, Alex taught leadership courses and guest-lectured internationally on the subjects of strategy and leadership. A bilingual speaker, dual national and keen traveller, Alex has lived, visited and worked in several countries around the world. During this time, he has had a unique opportunity to encounter and explore different cultures and working environments, experiencing first-hand what good leadership can achieve. His passion for this topic is driven by these experiences and a desire to challenge people to unlock their full leadership potential. Alex holds an MBA from the Open University and a Master of Research in Management from the University of St Andrews. He has also obtained Associate Fellow status with the Higher Education Academy. In his spare time, Alex is an avid skier and volunteers with a local guide dog organisation.

A graduate of Cambridge University, Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. Susanna began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, which was the world’s largest organiser of commercial conferences, was acquired by Informa plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group and also led the public company’s investor relations programmes. She subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Susanna has been extensively involved with education and professional development over many years. She was Head of Group Training and led the commercial acquisition and integration of a portfolio of corporate training businesses whilst at IIR; and created learning academies at both Informa and Emap. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and believes that we need to develop a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and devoted to decency, truthfulness, and innovation. Susanna is committed to diversity not only as a societal imperative but as a critical component of commercial success. As an advisor to the trustees of the Foundation, Susanna first learnt about its purpose and programmes before becoming its Chief Executive responsible for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, the Laidlaw Scholars and its other education programmes. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo; and played netball and rowed for Newnham.