Thomas Mason

Engineering Student, University of York
Cherry Sylge

Chemistry Student, University of York

Hello! I am a third year student studying chemistry at the University of York.  For my research project, I'm interested in ring expansion cascade reactions and how we can effectively synthesise their starting materials.  I'm looking forward to becoming an effective leader who can make a positive impact in whatever industry I end up in, and inspire more women to pursue careers in STEM subjects.   I also love yoga, reading and art history.
Diyar Keyhanfar

Scholar, University of York

Hello! I am a second year student English Literature student and a 2021 Laidlaw scholar at the University of York. My research focuses on young adult and coming-of-age literature and my aim is to design an undergraduate module on this genre that could potentially be taught as part of a literature degree.
Emma Merryweather

Consultant Scientist, EY

Graduate Natural Scientist, specialised in Nanoscience. My Laidlaw research project explored thermoelectric materials to biomedical devices with a patient's very own body heat. Now employed as a Consultant Scientist for the EY R&D tax team.
Imogen Hannaby

Student and Laidlaw Scholar, University of York

Aya Hammad

Medical student, University of York

I'm a medical student at the University of York interested in immunology, public health, as well as education and leadership within health care! My research project is about understanding how mutations in immune cells impact a certain group of rare bone marrow disorders (MPNs) that can lead to cancer.
Emily Shepherdson (she/they)

Student , University of York

Hi! I'm originally from Hull, East Yorkshire but I'm currently a second year undergraduate student studying for a BA in Linguistics and ab initio Italian at the University of York. Alongside my studies, I am also the current blog coordinator for the University Feminist Society. Being a Laidlaw Scholar allows me to research the success of speech and language therapies in my project entitled 'Hidden behind a smile: acquisition and societal perception of speech sounds in children with cleft lip and palate.'!  My pronouns are she/they, please feel free to use either! 
Lydia Rose Haines

Biology undergraduate, University of York

Hi, my name is Lydia Haines and I am a second year undergraduate student, studying biology, at the University of York. For my research project I looked at mutations in inflammasome components that are associated with Multiple Sclerosis. For my leadership in action project, I spent 6 weeks on a health promotion project in Jubairata village, Fiji with Think Pacific.
Mary Friend

Natural Sciences Student, University of York

Natural Sciences MSci student at University of York specialising in neuroscience. I am fascinated by the brain and the connections within it, and enjoy combining my knowledge of chemistry, biology, psychology and philosophy to generate new ideas.
Catherine Prudence Christabel

Student, University of York

Joshua Chapman

Student, University of York

I am a Politics and International Relations student at the University of York. My research project is titled: 'How do social demographic changes influence the spread of populism'. I will look at the Brexit referendum and Trump's election in 2016. These will be my focal points from which I hope to find broader trends about the causes for the growth of populism in modern democracies. Please ask me about anything politics or international relations related, in particular, political behaviour and psychology; i.e. if something happens, what happens next and why?
Hannah George

Student, University of York

I am a 2021 Laidlaw Scholar from the University of York, currently in my final year studying Psychology in Education. My research project investigated psychological mechanisms that can be used to improve school-parent relationships, especially during the transition from primary to secondary schools. I completed my LiA project at Maggie's Centre at the Royal Marsden.  Feel free to chat with me about evidence-informed education, mental health in education and research concerning parenting approaches!
Rebekah Young

Student, University of York

Zara Sharif

Student, University of York

Hello! My name is Zara Sharif and I am a 2021 Laidlaw Scholar from the University of York, where I study Education! My research topic looks at body hair and racialized bullying of teenage girls in UK secondary schools, and how this interacts with the relationship between misogyny and racism. I chose this research topic because I think we are seeing a cultural shift (in some ways) towards a greater acceptance of body hair, but I've found this shift often leaves out women of colour, and ignores how race and gender can intersect to form teenage girls experiences and their relationships with their body, their sense of self and how they perceive themselves. I also want to see how greater society perceive body hair on women of colour in particular and how social media can influence/shape/change these opinions.
Sohail Hussain

Medical Student, University of York

Sarah Heptinstall

BSc Psychology Student, University of York

I am a first year psychology undergraduate and I love the mind in all it's complexity. I am a mother of 3 children, ranging in age from 6 to 15. I was self-employed, successfully and solely running a barber shop for 6 years prior to starting university. I volunteer with HEY MIND as a peer support worker usually, for either teens or adults, but I am taking a break at present, in order to volunteer with SEED (an eating disorder charity) as an email buddy for a lady with anorexia. My upcoming research revolves around linking memory with internal experience: we think distractions like mind-wandering and intrusive thoughts will negatively affect how much we can remember! I am very much looking forward to getting started :)
Shehnaz Sheikhdon Salad

Islamic Relief Regional Desk Intern, University of York

Hi, I'm a 2021 Laidlaw Scholar Economics and politics 2023 graduate from University of York.  I'm from Somalia and spent most of my life there. I'm passionate about Leadership and Research in social development. My 2021 summer research was on how the sustainable Development Index correlates with other Economic measures such as Economic growth and Inequalities.  Hobbies: Reading,adventure and trying out new outdoor sports.  Would love to connect with everyone, so don't hesitate to say Hi . 
Ellen Lavender

Scholar, University of York

I'm a final year psychology MSci student specialising in developmental disorders. My project focuses around the development attention in infants and if certain maternal strategies scaffold joint attention and how this varies cross culturally in the UK and Uganda. I'm hoping to pursue a PhD in the future!
Andrew Hill

Student, University of York

I am studying BSc Archaeology at the University of York. My primary interests are working on a ‘large scale’: archaeological field survey, GIS and digital methods, and utilising landscape and multiperiod approaches. Accordingly,  my research combines field investigation and digital analysis in a multiperiod study of the Mid-Cheshire Ridge, testing the potential contribution of comparative viewshed analysis to understanding past reasoning and change in the landscape.
Josh Rutland

Undergraduate Student, University of York

I'm a third year Politics and IR student and 2021 Laidlaw Scholar at the University of York. My research topic focussed on political influence in public order policing in the UK. For my Leadership-in-Action, I am working with MakeSense on their 'Re_action For Climate' project.
Hannah Boyle

Undergraduate Student, University of York

I am a 2021 Laidlaw Scholar from the University of York, focusing my research on the question:  How was the U.K. Labour Party changed their discourse and proposed to challenge domestic poverty and inequality since 2010? I have been involved in Politics at a local, grassroots level, including community campaigning, and previously worked for Rachel Reeves MP in her constituency office. As a Politics student, I am interested in all things political and anything related to International Relations, with particular interest on the European Union, Women in Politics and International Development.