Hey :)
I'm Mahnoor, a student at the University of Oxford specialising in human and environmental geography. My interest lies primarily in climate justice, and I have been working in the UK climate-change sector since 2021 on intersectional youth inclusion, just transition, green jobs, the energy sector, climate and environmental policy, and community-led action and co-creation. Through this work, I’ve collaborated with a wide range of organisations like the UN, the UK Government, think tanks, NGOs, philanthropic organisations, and youth-led charities. Currently, I am a trustee at the OVO Foundation, where I help deliver climate-justice grants. I also freelance as a workshop facilitator, consultant, and speaker on the topics above.
My first-year project explored the demand- and supply-side restrictions to extracurricular provisions in Oxford, and is now published in Taylor and Francis.
I am in Cairo, Egypt, for my LIA at the moment where I'm working with Megawra, an architectural and built environment collective specialising in urban regeneration, heritage conservation and community co-production in Historic Cairo.
Please never hesitate to reach out for a chat :)
In community,
Mahnoor
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.
Hi, I'm Mila. I'm an undergraduate geography student at the university of Cambridge. I'm mostly interested in physical geography particularly in hazard risk and the ways that multi-hazards intersect with vulnerability and the ways that this will be impacted by climate change in the future.
My summer research project, is focused on the ways Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and in the UK experience and process the ongoing ecocide in Ukraine.
I am an undergraduate studying Law at the University of Cambridge. I am particularly interested in the role gender plays within different domestic legal systems, and how these structures interact with gender-queer individuals. My research explores the ways in which legal recognition of all trans people could be achieved, and the practical impact different structures of recognition could have for the lives of queer people.
Hey friends! I’m Angela Chen, a fourth-year Public Policy, Psychology, & Digital Intelligence student at Duke University. I'm passionate about leveraging digital policy and journalism to democratize access to information. During my Research Summer in 2025, as a Laidlaw Scholar for Research & Leadership and with Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy, I researched AI Policy, Music Streaming, & Cultural Labor in the EU & UK, culminating in presentations at the Oxford Rothermere American Institute, the Laidlaw Scholars Global Conference, and publication in Taylor & Francis and De Gruyter Brill. Previously, at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, I investigated the use of AI in election information dissemination for minority language voters in the US. Having grown up in both Hong Kong and Canada, I also strongly believe in the importance of collaboration across geographical borders & cultures, and would love to chat—both about global information access and general cultural experiences! I serve as Student Government President at Duke, where I shape campus culture to maximize equity and inclusivity. I believe that educational environments are key to fostering civic and civil discourse. Reach out here, on LinkedIn, or via email! I'm deeply grateful to be part of our inspiring Laidlaw Scholars community, and I can't wait to bond with as many of y'all as I can :)
Third year Psychology and Philosophy student.
Hi there! My name is Jack, and I have just completed my first year studying Global Health and Development at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health. Besides, I am also pursuing a double major in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. My research project aims to analyse the effects of thermal cycles on mechanical properties of 3D-printed dental aligners incorporating long optical glass fibres.
Beyond academics, I love traveling, hitting the gym, and spending time with friends. I am also passionate about gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer work, which helps me explore the world beyond the classroom. Feel free to reach out, whether you are interested in my research, collaboration, or just a good conversation about life!
Hello! I’m Xanthe Hudson, a Geography BA undergraduate at the University of Leeds and a 2025 Laidlaw Scholar.
My academic interests focus on global geopolitics, climate change and the intersection of human and physical geography. This summer, my research project explores academic censorship and self-censorship across disciplines, examining how legal threats, intimidation and professional retaliation impact academic freedom. Through surveying researchers, I aim to identify vulnerable fields, underlying power dynamics and explore the wider implications for knowledge production in biodiversity conservation.
Beyond academia, I’m driven by a strong curiosity about global issues and love to meet and learn from new people. During my time spent in rural Nepal, I supported initiatives addressing period poverty and improving education in communities still affected by the 2015 earthquakes. These experiences deepened my understanding of how grassroots education can help to drive sustainable change.
Before university, I took a gap year, travelling to Morocco and Nepal and spending three months solo in Namibia, where I worked on a remote horse ranch and a cheetah conservation project. These experiences challenged me and have shaped my global perspective by exposing me to new cultures and narratives.
I am excited to be a part of the Laidlaw community and open to connecting with other scholars!
