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 recently finished a Master’s in Anthropology, both at UCL.
I am your go-to person for questions regarding alumni engagement and the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio or a yoga class. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.
Amy is the Programme Director of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme. She works with universities, NGO’s, government departments, businesses and charity partners to manage and develop programmes which further the Laidlaw Foundation’s purpose – to reduce poverty and inequality by investing in the education of the underprivileged and underrepresented and to develop a new generation of diverse and ethical leaders.
Prior to joining the Laidlaw Foundation, Amy spent 9 years leading the US-UK Fulbright Scholarship Programme, working with students, academics, professionals, and teachers across every discipline. She has gained 15+ years working within Higher Education and is passionate about cultural exchange and the benefits it can bring to impactful research and solving global challenges. Prior to this, she led faculty-led programmes hosting US students in the UK and managed a busy student services. She studied American Studies at Sheffield University and University of Pittsburgh.
Hi! My name is James and I am a Medicine Student at the University of Cambridge.
My research project is titled 'Can Helminths be Considered 'Old Friends' to the Human Immune System and Metabolism?'.
If you're interested in learning more about my research, or simply starting a conversation, I'd love to connect.
I am a third-year student of English at the University of St Andrews from New Delhi, India, and I'm interested in languanges and literature. My research project explores literature in radical bookshops.
Hi! I’m Sophie Kleina, a Psychological and Behavioural Sciences student at the University of Cambridge.
I’m passionate about language learning and preservation, which is why my Laidlaw research project focuses on the Kashubian language- a regional and Indigenous language of northern Poland, and a heritage I’m proud to be part of.
My academic interests span sociology, linguistics, psychology, and education, and I’m especially drawn to work that supports cultural diversity, educational access, and meaningful social change. I care deeply about doing work that helps people, strengthens communities, and protects the richness of human language and identity.
I’m always eager to learn from others and collaborate on projects that make a difference- feel free to connect!
Hello!
My name is James McLean, and I am currently pursuing an integrated master’s program in Physics at the University of Leeds.
My research project , in the realm of Bio-nano-Physics , focuses on an imaging technique known as mass photometry, which aims to observe the landing sites of polysaccharides without the necessity for external markers.
My passion for applied physics is diverse, stretching from the medical field to aerospace and aeronautical engineering. I am actively involved with the Leeds University Rocketry Association (LURA), where we aim to break the UKRA amateur University record . Additionally, I have a keen interest in pure physics, drawing inspiration from groundbreaking research at institutions like CERN.
I am eager to connect with other ambitious and determined individuals who are committed to leveraging scientific innovation to benefit society and humanity. Let’s collaborate to make a significant impact!
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 makesense Americas to collaborate with Picacho Con Futuro, a local NGO in Comuna 6 of MedellĂn, Colombia. Founded in 1987, Picacho Con Futuro was initially founded in response to violence, displacement, and a lack of opportunities. Today, their primary focus is strengthening the community through culture, education, art, communication, and social participation.
Through my LiA, I, along with three other Liadlaw scholars, designed a proposal for a new cultural cafĂ© for Picacho Con Futuro, designed to serve as a welcoming community space and support local social and economic development. This cultural cafĂ© will be a huge milestone for Picacho Con Futuro, and hopefully Barrio MĂo will be built and enjoyed by the local community within the next couple years.
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!
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 MedellĂn, scholars engage with creative-industries innovation to strengthen social cohesion and inclusion. Working alongside social enterprises and cultural organisations, you’ll co-create projects that build opportunities for youth in vulnerable communities, foster neighbourhood ties, and contribute to long-term peace and social resilience through arts, culture, and design-led interventions.
I am a second year undergraduate at Durham University studying sociology. Through my Laidlaw Scholarship, I worked with Dr Michelle Addison and three other students in order to complete the research project 'Imposter Syndrome in the Classroom: What are the impacts on students' learning experiences and how can academic practice be improved?'. For my second summer as a Laidlaw Scholar, I was selected by MakeSense to complete a Leadership in Action project in Marseille, France.
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.
Hi! I'm Sophia, an aspiring scientist and philomath. I love learning about everything and anything and delight in spending time with people who are passionate about the things they love!
I am really interested and curious about how we can use chemistry to improve processes and products to help society. For example, my research project is looking into the possibility of turning struvite, a mineral which is a by-product of waste-water treatment processes into slow-release nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers, which would be a green source nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers and help achieve goals of zero-waste.
If you are researching something similar or are interested in learning more about the project, please reach out! I am super happy to talk about the project and meet other who are doing something similar and possibly collaborate!
Hi! I am an English Literature and History student at Durham University, and am part of their 2025 Laidlaw cohort. Talk to me about books!!
The University of Durham joined the Laidlaw Scholars Undergraduate Research & Leadership Programme in 2017. This visionary programme builds on Lord Laidlaw’s commitment to supporting undergraduate student development and education. It gives undergraduate students the research, leadership and networking skills they will need to achieve their academic and professional goals in the future.
I am passionate about creating an inclusive sense of belonging for students, leadership development, harm reduction, and helping students identify their version of success. I have worked in higher education for the last eight years in different functional areas, including identity-based advocacy, orientation, transition and retention, fraternity and sorority life, and leadership development. I have a B.A. from Willamette University in American Ethnic Studies and History and a M.S. in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University (Gig 'em!).
I spend my free time fly-fishing, hiking, watching anything in the Star Wars universe, reading, browsing record stores, going to concerts, and searching for the best flat white in NE England!
I'm Devon, a first year bioscience undergraduate at Durham University. My main interests are in global health and immunology. When not studying I can be found hiking, climbing, white water kayaking, and mountain biking.