I am a 3rd year undergraduate, BA Business Management, Durham University.  My research is: "Local, National, and International perspectives on the role of grassroots sports clubs in local communities." For a variety of historical and contemporary reasons, grassroots sports clubs in the UK have received relatively little attention in terms of the wider work that they are involved with and/or capable of.  I seek to investigate what impact, if any, return on social investment and/or corporate social responsibility exists within grassroots sports. I am approaching the research from a interdisciplinary dimension, i.e., sociology and business discipline. As a rugby player for Durham University and Hatfield College , the founder of a social enterprise, alongside being a Erete Fellow as part of the Effective Altruism Durham programme, the Laidlaw Scholarship in Research & Leadership is an opportunity to broaden my horizons through participation, research, independent thinking, meeting a wider range of diverse people, and grow my leadership skills. 

I am a third-year student at Tufts University studying Community Health and Biology with a Minor in Urban Studies. In my first year as a Laidlaw Scholar, I worked with Dr. David Adler and Dr. Debra Lerner at Tufts Medical Center on a market analysis of clinical depression intervention services for employees.  My research projects have mostly focused on improving health access and resources for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This interest comes from my experiences as working a Direct Support Professional and teaching art classes for individuals with Down syndrome. In addition to researching behavioral health services and the neuroscience of Fragile X syndrome, I enjoy being an active community member and started a political engagement orientation program for first-year students at Tufts. My recreational interests include rock climbing and creating visual art (see some of my artwork here: schung.page).

Hi, I'm Elena and I am a part of Laidlaw's 2023-24 cohort at the University of Leeds. I am currently studying Biotechnology with Enterprise which focusses on applying aspects of molecular and cellular biology to solve current problems. This can be in the form of using genetic modification to improve food security, discovering useful antibiotic properties of bacteria or the creation of vaccines via investigation of viruses. Along side this I also have begun learning about various areas of business in my enterprise modules.  I have chosen to work on a pre-defined research project: 'Bees, Pesticides and Insect declines: defining the sublethal effects of pesticides on honeybees'. I am excited for this project as I will be able to expand my biological knowledge into the field of entomology and continue to develop my lab-skills independently as I will be observing effects of sulfoxaflor and biological chemicals on young honey bees whilst also analysing their DNA to investigate any genetic mutations.  I enjoy spending time walking and running (especially around my home in the Peak District), making me motivated to make a difference in conserving and rebuilding our world's natural environments. Additionally outside of my studies I love to dance (ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre...), sing, attend classes with Uni's yoga society, bake and explore in & around leeds (including finding good places to eat) with my friends. 

Vaibhav Pramode Nair is a 2023 Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Leeds. He is the Lead Youth Representative of the Save Soil Movement, and in this capacity works to amplify youth voices for food systems transformation at major policy fora globally. Currently pursuing a Bachelors in Sustainability and Environmental Management at Leeds' School of Earth and Environment, he was the first undergraduate Youth Delegate from Leeds to the UN Climate Talks, representing at COP29 Baku, COP28 UAE and SB60 Bonn. Vaibhav leads efforts in diplomacy and climate at the Indian Youth Diplomacy Forum. He’s a LEED Green Associate, IEMA member, and an active participant in YOUNGO's Food and Agriculture Working Group, advocating for a shift in focus within the international climate policy discourse to the soil degradation crisis. Save Soil. Visit https://consciousplanet.org/ to learn more. Let's make it happen ! Try https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/inner-engineering . Changed my life. In is the only way Out.  If you study/work within the sustainability/climate space, please reach out. If not, definitely reach out. :)

I am a student at the University of Leeds studying Civil and Environmental Engineering 

Hi! I am a 3rd year student in Trinity College Dublin, studying Management Science and Information Systems. My research project will focus on the area of disinformation, specifically the features of disinformation that lead it to being spread online. 

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.

My name is Alexandra and I'm part of the 2023 Laidlaw Scholar Cohort. I'm a recent graduate of Georgetown University, and am now beginning my medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School. I'm really interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms of hematologic malignancies, and am also passionate about global and public health.

I am currently an undergraduate PPES student at Trinity College Dublin. I have chosen the Joint Honours Pathway, specialising in Political Science and Sociology.  My research project for summer one, titled "Sporting Bonds: Can sporting programmes properly facilitate the meaningful integration of migrant and host communities in Ireland?", concerns the efficacy of community-led integrative programmes that use sport as a means of blurring inter-cultural barriers and bringing together diverse communities. I will be working with Sport Against Racism Ireland, an established Irish NGO that delivers various sporting programmes aimed at facilitating and implementing anti-discrimination practices in Irish communities.  In my spare time I enjoy playing football and basketball, reading, and wandering around taking photos of things I see. 

I am a student of History and the History of Art and Architecture at Trinity College Dublin with a passion for social and cultural history. My research on the intersection of space and sexuality has led me to Urbanism more broadly, with a specific interest in affective experiences of urban space and architecture.

Hi everyone! My name is Laura, I'm a second year Human Health and Disease Student in Trinity College Dublin. My research project is on assessing "Women's experiences of accessing healthcare services to manage their perimenopause/menopause-related health issues in Ireland ". I am so excited to be part of the Laidlaw cohort of 2023 and I look forward to connecting with other members in the network!