Muskaan Arora

Student, University of Oxford
Deep Thakkar

2nd Year Biology Undergraduate, University of Oxford

Hello wonderful people :D My name is Deep and I am a first-year undergraduate studying Biology at Pembroke College, the University of Oxford.  I am also proud to be part of the 2025-2026 Laidlaw Scholars Cohort at the Oxford SDG Impact Lab! I'm excited to learn about and get experience in using biology to create a meaningful impact in the world, particularly in the fields of conservation, climate change, ecology and sustainability.  I am also passionate about learning science and student empowerment! I hope to help build a world in which every child and student has the resources, support, guidance and opportunities to dream big; turn their dreams into goals; and turn their goals into reality. I hope to help build a world that is brighter, kinder and more loving, in which more people reach their full, golden glowing potential.  So far in my leadership journey, I have been creating meaningful impact on a small scale, through volunteering as a tutor and at my high school's pupil support centre; my current role as a student mentor at Biology By Clare; and more recently starting an online academic empowerment project! Over the years, I have become fascinated with ways we could empower more students using larger-scale initiatives, at the levels of education policy, charities and other organisations. Hence, I am very excited about my Laidlaw research project!  For my research project, I am going to be working in a group with some of my Laidlaw Scholar friends at the Oxford SDG Impact Lab. We are going to be researching how we can use co-curricular programmes to improve student well-being and educational outcomes, particularly with the hope of helping solve educational inequity in Oxfordshire.  Outside of Biology and academic empowerment, I love English Literature; Drama, Theatre and Film (I'm currently obsessed with the Wicked!). I am also a big Taylor Swift fan :)  Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, want to work on a meaningful project together, or just want to have a good conversation :) (I prefer email or Instagram)  I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and for being part of this incredible global community. Wishing and sending everyone here so much joy, light and happiness! I'm rooting for you! Here is a link to my YouTube channel by the way, in case you want to check it out :D  A link to my YouTube channel, in case you want to check it out :D A link to my empowerment Instagram channel A link to my personal Instagram account My email: deep.thakkar.world@gmail.com
A global community that connects engaged citizens, entrepreneurs and organizations to build an inclusive and sustainable society together. Through the re_action for impact programme, scholars take part in a six-week full-time summer experience with local partners to mobilise communities and deliver concrete actions on social and environmental challenges. Explore toolkits, videos and past scholar reflections: https://laidlawscholars.network/rooms/make_sense-re_action? Country focus In Marseille, scholars can contribute to ageing well (mobility, accessibility, social bonds, co-living solutions with public institutions and field actors) and preserving sea biodiversity (supporting NGOs to reduce waste and plastics, mobilise volunteers, and drive behaviour change). You’ll co-design and pilot practical actions with local partners across city and coastal communities.
Wiktoria Blazik

Student, University of Oxford

Teodora-Maria Marinescu

Student, University of Oxford

Benjamin Margetts

Senior Programme Manager for the Laidlaw Scholarship, University of Oxford

I am a Critical Realist researcher in the Sociology of Education, developing a theory of Positive Organisational Culture. My research explores how organisational environments shape people's experiences, opportunities, and sense of belonging, with an initial focus on the transition to secondary schooling and wider implications for organisations beyond education.
Luke

Student, Oxford University

Kristen

Graduate Impact Advisor, Oxford SDG Impact Lab

Sara Al-Nemrat

Scholar, Laidlaw

Jehoiady Brown

Biochemistry Undergraduate, University of Oxford

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.
Emma Cox

Student, Trinity College Dublin

Hi! My name is Emma and I'm a second year geography student at Trinity College Dublin. I hope to become a teacher in the future.  I've been involved in activism for about 5 years now and I'm extremely passionate about education and climate change. My research project will analyse how my university engages with class and socioeconomic status, particularly with regards to what it means to come from a working class background. I love to travel, meet new people, play videogames, and go for walks/hikes in nature.
Bora Turkkorkmaz

Scholar, University of Oxford

Athan Butcher

Student, University of Oxford

Farida Aboubacar

Scholar, University of Oxford

Hana Omar

Laidlaw Scholar, Laidlaw

Edward Waring

Oxford University Student, Oxford University

Rian Hadgie

Student and Research Scholar, University of Oxford

Vincent W. Chang

Scholar, University of Oxford

Frederic Fong

Undergraduate Medical Student, University of Oxford

I'm Frederic, a first-year undergraduate on the six-year medicine programme (BA BM BCh) at the University of Oxford. Outside of medicine, I am an avid musician, playing violin with the Oxford University Philharmonia. This year, my research with the SDG Impact Lab partners with the recently established Leys Cricket Club to investigate participation of underrepresented groups in this community initiative.
Isabel Hetherington

Student, University of Oxford

Kelly Wan

Psychology and Linguistics, University of Oxford