About Thea Dickin
Hiya! I'm Thea, and I'm a first-year studying Classics at Durham University. Although Classics is a study of antiquity, I believe strongly in the real-world value of the skills and perspective it teaches. Because of this, I'm super excited to be a part of the 2026 Laidlaw cohort with my research on the importance of ancient Greek language and culture in the education system. I'm greatly interested in governance and public policy, so I'd love to see my project have a real influence on the presence of Classical education in a wider range of young people's lives.
Outside of academia, my hobbies include reading, film and video games, and I enjoy being active through going to the gym, yoga, and skiing!
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Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection. What stands out is not only what you have learned, but how intentionally you have reflected on your own development throughout the process. The willingness to acknowledge your initial apprehension, and then recognise the confidence, connections and skills you have gained, demonstrates an important aspect of leadership growth.
It is particularly encouraging to hear how quickly your cohort has developed a strong sense of community. The emphasis you place on respectful communication, ensuring everyone feels seen and heard, and working together to create a shared cohort agreement reflects many of the values we explored during the training. Leadership is rarely a solo endeavour, and your experience highlights the importance of collaboration, trust and creating environments where people can contribute authentically.
I was especially pleased to read your reflections on the Laidlaw 3Cs. Your discussion of self-awareness and identifying both strengths and areas for development speaks directly to Character, while the practical research, presentation and project-planning skills you describe are examples of building Capacities. The way you are already thinking about applying these lessons beyond your research project, in future study and workplace settings, demonstrates the mindset of a future Change Maker.
Your reflection is also a useful reminder for fellow scholars that leadership development often begins outside our comfort zones. What started with uncertainty and meeting a room full of strangers has already evolved into a supportive network of peers, shared learning and increased confidence. It will be exciting to see how these foundations continue to shape your research journey and Leadership in Action experience over the coming months.
Thank you Chantelle for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed reading my reflection and I appreciate your thoughtful response!