Stella Grover (She/Her)

Undergraduate Student , University of Leeds
Angelos Koutsoukos

Student, University of Leeds

I'm currently a first-year student at the University of Leeds, studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.  My research project is on Electric Vehicle charging point infrastructure planning, addressing a critical aspect of the transition to sustainable transportation. It seeks to optimize the design of EV charging infrastructure in public spaces. Through the evaluation of diverse charging configurations and the application of local/regional datasets, I will generate optimal location and capacity guidelines. These findings will aid local government authorities in establishing efficient and equitable public EV charging infrastructure.
Amarni Newman

Biological Sciences undergrad, University of Leeds

Hello and welcome to my Laidlaw scholarship experience!  Last summer I had the privilege to carry out research on invasive freshwater crayfish (it's as glamorous as it sounds) and have since presented my research in three conferences.   This summer I will be heading to the Peruvian Amazon as part of my LiA documenting the realities of conservation and voluntourism on local communities and the environment. 
Adrianna Montgomery

Adult Nursing , University of Leeds

Hi, I am part of the 2023 Laidlaw cohort at the University of Leeds.    I am currently studying Adult Nursing. I am passionate about everything to do with nursing. There are many pathways that I will be able to explore throughout my career. However, currently, I am mostly interested in genomics and would like to explore this further throughout my studies. I also have a huge passion for women’s health, especially for different ethnic groups, to be able to provide education and break through the taboo barriers. Working as an adult nurse is challenging but satisfying. It is a vital role where you will make a real difference in people’s lives.    In Summer 2023, I worked on a pre-defined research project: ‘Evaluating Interdisciplinary 'Welcome, Induction, and Transitions' Support in the Undergraduate Curriculum.’ I worked alongside academics and other students to understand the outcomes associated with successful transitions, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The conclusion of my findings can be found on my page, so please have a read! The project and journey were exciting, and I developed a lot more knowledge about education policies and the huge impact it has on students, especially underrepresented groups. From the project, I have built on my leadership style and other skills due to being student-led.   In the summer of 2024, I worked on my LiA project, which focused on teaching health education to children in Bali. I developed a tailored program that could be implemented and sustained even after my placement ended, allowing the students to continue building on what they had learned. I was especially excited about this opportunity, as it allowed me to apply the skills I gained from my first project in a more practical and impactful way. It also gave me the chance to combine my passions for both education and healthcare in a meaningful setting.   Outside of my studies, I love to paint and am passionate about attending galleries and exhibitions. I enjoy spending time in nature and doing yoga. Also, I love to bake and find good places to eat with my family and friends.     If anyone has any interest in anything relating to me, my course or the research project, then please reach out 😊 
Arron J Thompson

Undergraduate Physicist, University of Leeds

Hello! My name is Arron. I am an undergraduate Physicist at the University of Leeds, currently on the Integrated Masters Programme. I will be completing my research in the field of robotics in medicine. More specifically, the use of motion capture data for the robotic rehabilitation of patients suffering from neurological conditions and/or trauma. I love applications of Physics in all senses, including medicine, Formula 1 and aerospace engineering. I am looking for contacts in the field of robotics in order to collaborate and share methods of approaching what is often the exact same fundamental problem!
Poppy Davey

Undergraduate LLB Law Student, University of Leeds

Hi, my name is Poppy and I am a University of Leeds Law Student. This undergraduate study has developed my passion of how the law applies to different groups of invididuals with a particular focus on the inadequate treatment of women. This interest led me to propose a self-defined research project which I completed last summer. This surrounds how women who have been domestically abused from various social groups are treated differently by the criminal justice system. I am focusing on England and Wales since this is my jurisdiction. The social groups that I am considering are BAME, LGBTQ+ and disabled women and effectively contrasting this to the experiences of the white heterosexual woman. I am so excited to start this research and be able to inspire positive societal change through hopefully flagging up areas for further governmental emphasis.  I am currently on my LIA at GVI Ghana undertaking both a Gender Equality for Girls and Justice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Internship. 
Elizabeth Stanton

International History and Politics Undergraduate, University of Leeds

  Hi! My name is Lizzie and I am in the 2023 Laidlaw Scholar cohort.   I am an International History and Politics student at the University of Leeds. Throughout my first year of studies, I have found myself gravitating towards the field of East Asian History and Politics. In particular the politics of South Korea, especially the leadership of the 21st Century and the corruption that is rife in the government.    I have chosen to complete a self-defined project which will focus on how the actions of the South Korean government has affected the youth. I will be largely discussing the Sewol Ferry Tragedy and the Itaewon Crowd Crush disaster. I will be investigating the influence of chaebols and top-down culture and the roles they played in the aforementioned events. I shall also be analysing the roles of both Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk-yeol in both disaster, respectively.  As my project is self-defined, I have a lot of leeway in what I choose to include, therefore I may touch on other topics such as the rise of anti-Feminism, particularly in young South Korean men.   In addition to my core studies, I have a passion for language learning (especially wrongly labelled 'dead' languages) and for Islamic history, particularly the role of women in Islam.  Linked are articles and videos that are related to my research which give a general overview of both tragedies.  https://youtu.be/5_A8dq2fA5o Documentary about the sinking of the Sewol Ferry  https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2022/11/16/seoul-crowd-crush-itaewon-victims/ Washington Post article regarding circumstances of Itaewon Crowd Crush  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/31/seoul-halloween-crowd-crush-young-victims/ Washington Post article which shares the names and stories of some of the victims of the Crowd Crush  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/08/world/asia/south-korea-sewol-ferry-grief.html NYT article about the ongoing pain of the families following the Sewol sinking
Lily Grace Else

Student , University of Leeds

Hi! I’m Lily and currently study advanced psychology at the university of Leeds. Theorising why something has happened is something I consider myself good at (also known as overthinking). One of the perks of psychology is that you are forced to socialise with people, which a few years ago would have been my my introverted selfs nightmare. However, interacting with individuals from such diverse backgrounds has developed such a passion to help people and has lead to massive growths in my confidence.  Now specifically having interests in forming interventions and strategies to improve the quality of life and mental stability of vulnerable individuals from groups such as survivors of domestic abuse, service users and addicts. My research project is called “thinking inside the box” centred around reverting back to our primary archival sources to provide a different perspective on the political resistance in Latin American rather than relying on information that has been extensively modified. Specifically introducing archive-based teaching methods and evidencing that they can act as critical and liberators pedagogies. Ultimately wanting to challenge the curriculum by using authentic methods of assessment and promote autonomous skill acquisition that provides practical application to their futures. In my spare time I am a gym rat (unfortunately) and I like trying out new sports such as snowboarding which I am currently horrific at but it’s still very fun!  i would love to discuss psychological research or potential career paths with new people, so do drop a message :)
Alice O'Neill

Student, University of Leeds

Hi, I'm Alice, a Biochemistry student at the University of Leeds. I love science as I am fascinated by understanding how life works at a chemical and cellular level, but I also have a very arty side, with passions including painting and music.   This Summer I will be doing a research project into improving the efficiency of pig-feeding methods, to decrease environmental impact and reduce waste. I will be looking into how current phase feeding methods can be optimized by more closely meeting the nutritional requirements of the pigs at each stage. 
Hazel Maris

Penultimate Year LLB Law Student, University of Leeds

Hi, I’m Hazel and I’m studying Law at the University of Leeds- this year I'm specializing in Environmental Law with my dissertation analyzing the role of legal personhood in the protection of bodies of water in UK. I chose to study Law because it is a system with many flaws and- much like my plants that I love to take care of- and it requires constant attention and pruning to grow in a healthy manner. My passion involves analyzing aspects of the law and how it represents historical prejudices; how do we adapt our laws to form a more representative model? Where do we plant our next seeds? My LIA is with Volunatrio Global in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I will be working with my superviser Milena Sapey to create a network of self-sufficient food chains and educate the Pacheco community on sustainable agricultural practices.
Sebastian Glasper

Student, University of Leeds

Hi, I'm Sebastian, I'm a creative professional with experience in the communications field. I recently completed my leadership-in-action project in Medellín, Colombia, focused on supporting local non-profits with innovative funding and communication strategies. My Laidlaw research delved into the topic of mental health and communication strategies for older adult populations. I am passionate about community engagement and sustainable solutions, collaborating with diverse teams to drive impactful results. I am now onto my placement year at the University of Leeds, while also continuing my social volunteer work with local organisations such as @sasha_uol and @rainbowjunktion. I'm also always more than happy for a chat but the best results are reaching out on LinkedIn ⭐
Megan Shaw

Student , University of Leeds