Reese Taylor is a rising junior majoring in Philosophy, History, and Human Rights on a pre-law track. As a Laidlaw Scholar, she spent her first summer researching the role of labor in the economic and social uplift of Black Americans in the wake of Reconstruction. She was selected to present this research at Johns Hopkins University, The University of Pennsylvania, and the Global Laidlaw Scholars Conference. In her second summer, Reese founded The Voices in Action Initiative which is a program developed to empower and mobilize youth voices by providing them skills and practice in speech and debate. She enacted the program in Nassau, Bahamas with sponsorship from both the Laidlaw Foundation and The Kiwanis Club of Nassau.
Hi! My name is Anagha (pronounced uh-nuh-guh) and I am an undergraduate at Barnard College in the Class of 2027. I am majoring in Sociology as a pre-medical student; I hope to pursue an MD-PhD in Medical Anthropology.
My research this summer connects my academic interests in medical sociology and queer studies. Through exploring diverse forms of gender affirming care, I hope to understand how medical and spiritual healers help individuals transition.
In my free time, I love junk journaling, singing in Barnard's a capella group, and trying new vegetarian recipes. I'd love to chat about anything from your latest cooking attempts to your favorite (or least favorite) sociological theories - please feel free to reach out and say hi! :)
Hello ! My name is Malaika and I am an undergraduate at the University of Toronto. This summer, I will be investigating the intersection of cultural and political sovereignty in the DRC through a biopolitical lense. Through discussions of repatriation, I aim to examine the role of art in the Congolese's fight for self-determination. Outside of Laidlaw, I am studying Urban Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies. I am interested in researching and learning more about biopolitics and abjection throughout my academic journey.
When I am free, I love to bead, jog, read and touch up my Pinterest ! I am passionate about social justice and I hope my work can translate those values into concrete, progressive change. Have a lovely day ! 🫶🏾🦢🪷
Hello! My name is Bhadra, and I am a second-year Law and Business student at Trinity College Dublin. I have an interest in criminal law, in particular feminist criminology. My Summer 1 research topic is 'Motherhood on Trial: A Comparative Analysis of the Miscarriage of Justice in Infanticide Cases'. I aim to take an inter-jurisdictional perspective in examining three notable cases - those of Joanne Hayes, Sally Clarke and Kathleen Folbigg.
Overall, my overarching goal is to highlight how women exist and are perceived within inherently oppressive social systems. If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please feel free to do so on panickeb@tcd.ie!
Hello! My name is Anjelica and I'm a rising sophomore at Columbia University in New York. My current research aims to look into how language affects our perception of femicide in the media. In my free time, I make podcast videos with people who I find inspiring, I write (and hunt for banger book quotes on Pinterest), I'm currently planning an initiative in my foundation, and I watch TikToks that my best friend sends to me.
A quote that I really love as of now is:
"When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered all over. Some angels got jealous and chopped him into millions of pieces, but still he glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another." Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
And yes, I love existential questions.
Hello everyone! My name is Stella Dull, and I'm a rising sophomore at Barnard College with interests in the intersections of environmental justice, political theory, and renewable energy. This summer, I will be researching how the U.S. and China’s approaches to green industrial policy and their associated outcomes reflect divergent models of government intervention in the economy and what this reveals about the evolving role of the state in addressing the climate crisis.
I'm a current undergrad student at Barnard College pursuing a double-major in Theatre & Human Rights, with a minor in East Asian Studies. I'm often asked why I’m studying such seemingly divergent fields. For me, these subjects go hand in hand: my diplomacy and human rights practice are informed by an empathy uniquely cultivated from my experience in the arts; my acting on theatrical stages is enriched by my understanding of what is happening on the "world stage." Mastering both mediums is my answer to the seemingly unsolveable divisions we face today. My work bridges these fields in an innovative, urgent and radical effort to highlight our shared humanity at a time we need it most.
I am a rising sophomore, pre-law student at Barnard College, Columbia University intending to major in Philosophy and minor in Spanish. My academic interests are civil rights law, ethics, intellectual history, education policy, and disability studies. As a Laidlaw scholar I draw from my academic interests and personal experiences to conduct research on the use of restraint and seclusion in special education. I am eager to use my research experience and education in my future law career to further social equality.
Hi! I'm Eedha, a rising sophomore at Barnard College, Columbia University, where I’m majoring in English with a concentration in Creative Writing (and maybe minoring in French, too!). My love for storytelling has shaped both my academic journey and my Laidlaw research. I'm exploring the role of happy endings in children’s literature: can stories that end well do more than comfort? Can they spark resilience, hope, and a sense of agency in young readers facing an uncertain world? Through this project, I hope to better understand the quiet power of optimism in shaping childhood and how literature might offer more than escape.