I’m a Speech and Language Therapy student at Trinity College Dublin and a member of the 2026 Laidlaw Scholars cohort. I returned to education as a mature student and single parent after experiencing firsthand the impact that Speech and Language Therapists can have on people’s lives, which inspired me to pursue the profession myself.
My research interests focus on socioeconomic inequality, access to education, inclusion, and student belonging within higher education. Through the Laidlaw Programme, I’m exploring how historically elite institutions such as Trinity engage with class and socioeconomic diversity, and how universities can move beyond widening access towards creating genuinely inclusive environments for students from all backgrounds.
Alongside my studies, I’m involved in student representation work as the Student Parent Officer in the Students’ Union Equality, where I advocate for equity and inclusion for student parents within university life.
Outside of academia, I’m also a DJ (briongloid on instagram and soundcloud x) with a love for garage and jungle music, and a very dedicated bird mother 🐥
Hi! I'm Humna, a third-year Geology student at Imperial College London. I'm originally from Pakistan and moved to London for university. After three years exploring everything from volcanoes to critical minerals, I'm now starting my master's, specialising in Mining Engineering and Design.
For my first-year research project, I looked at whether we could store large amounts of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers beneath the North Sea. It brought together geology, sustainability, policy, economics, and infrastructure planning to explore one big question: how can we safely lock away the carbon we've already emitted? As we work towards net zero, reducing emissions is only part of the solution—we also need ways to deal with the CO₂ that's already in the atmosphere.
This summer, I'll be heading to the Pilbara region of Western Australia for my Leadership-in-Action project, where I'll be working with Indigenous communities and researchers at ANU's Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials. I'll be diving into Native Title and UNDRIP, helping facilitate community workshops, and co-producing a short documentary to support research that's genuinely informed by First Nations voices as demand for critical minerals continues to grow. It's a mix of mining, policy, storytelling, and spending a lot of time listening (which is probably the most important part).
Outside of geology, I'm always up for conversations about climate, science communication, widening participation, the Laidlaw experience—or anything you're passionate about. One of my favourite things about this community is getting to meet people with completely different interests and backgrounds, so if you'd like to chat, collaborate, or just say hello, I'd love to hear from you!
I am a History student at Durham University, and part of the 2025 Laidlaw Scholar Cohort. My first year research project explored citizenship education in relation to social cohesion, and sporting provision supporting refugee and asylum seeker integration. Following the publication of my research report, I became a member of the Academic Advisory Group to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Political and Media Literacy. I also work within UK refugee sports provision trying to drive positive change in the sector, through starting my own initiative in Durham, and spotlighting and networking with projects nationwide, through an article series I edit for ConnectSport. In my second year summer, I worked with United Through Sport in St Lucia to produce a coaching handbook for incoming volunteers, to improve their delivery of sports teaching to local children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Hello, I'm Katarina, an incoming second year Physics student at Durham University. I've enjoyed my time so far in the 2026 cohort with my project about mitigating the effects of light pollution. My dream LiA placement would involve immersion in nature, traditional craftsmanship and driving sustainable fashion. I hope to find something like this!
I aim to continue studying Physics to PhD level, and am particularly interested in either researching sustainable technology or developing aviation systems. My passion for public speaking shapes my goal of driving scientific communication globally as a vessel for change.
My interests beyond academia include electric guitar, fashion and sewing, boxing, and reading, as I've been fortunate enough to study an English Literature module this year.
Hello! My name is Anjelica and I'm a student at Columbia University in New York. My current research aims to look into how language shapes the discourse on femicide in the media. In my free time, I make podcast videos with people who I find inspiring, I write (and hunt for banger book quotes on Pinterest), I'm currently planning an initiative in my foundation, and I love improv comedy.
A quote that I really love as of now is:
"When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered all over. Some angels got jealous and chopped him into millions of pieces, but still he glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another." Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
And yes, I love existential questions.
Hi! I'm Bruna, a first-year English Literature undergraduate at Durham University, currently working on my research project. My passion for stories is reflected in my research which focuses on examining storytelling's role in policymaking in creative fields in County Durham.
I am from Brazil but have lived in the Netherlands and Kuwait and therefore have come to love learning all about languages and cultures. Moving around also means I am always open to learning more and adapting to new situations.
In my free time, I am usually cosplaying an old grandma: I crochet, embroider, bake and read. At times, I may also be playing the sims.
Please feel free to reach out!
qmcj48@durham.ac.uk
My name is Rosalind and I'm a first year student in psychology at the University of Cambridge. I am particularly interested in the interection between physical and mental health and how psychological and neurological processes can impact somatic functions. Another major interest of mine is the maintenance of mental health recovery, and how post-acute care in communities and systems can support the longevity of recovery and prevent relapse.
Hey! I’m Amna, a third-year molecular biology student at the University of Toronto.
I’ve worked in labs studying genetics and nanoimmunoengineering, but I also care a lot about science communication, from writing about microbes to speaking at places like the UN. For my summer research project, I am exploring anticipatory science diplomacy in Geneva. When I’m not deep in research mode, I’m probably planning my next escapade.
Always down to connect, especially if you care about science, systems, or asking big questions.
I am a Biological Anthropology undergraduate at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. I am interested in human behaviour, especially cooperation and how it has evolved.
Summer 2025 I worked on a project titled 'The Cooperation Puzzle: What drives people to cooperate?' with my project partner Shrey Patel. We completed a meta-analysis on behaviours observed during Public Goods Games, providing an answer to this broad question by intersecting anthropology and economics.
Summer 2026, I completed my LIA at Refugee Legal in Melbourne, Australia, where I volunteered as a paralegal assisting refugees trying to relocate.
Feel free to get in touch! My email: pivenivanna100@yahoo.com my Instagram: @ivanna_piven
Hello there! I'm Ashiya, a member of the 2025 Laidlaw Leadership & Research Programme Cohort. I am a student at the University of Toronto's Munk School, pursuing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Ethics, Society & Law.
I'm passionate about education and the governance of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. I am currently exploring how this affects children facing socioeconomic disadvantage through my Leadership-in-Action project in Northern England. This builds on my previous work in student advocacy, my research of Indigenous-led education initiatives in Canada for my first Laidlaw summer, and my new role as a Center for International Governance Innovation Digital Policy Hub Fellow.
I look forward to reading and contributing to the incredible body of work on this platform (you all are awesome)! Outside of research, I love to read, dance ballet, explore, learn new things and make new friends - please feel free to reach out anytime :)
Hello! My name is Lily, and I’m pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in music.
My first summer research was interdisciplinary in that it included psychology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioral studies, and music. I designed an experiment about how emotional music impacts future perception and imagination. Then, I collected behavioral data to address my research question.
For my LiA, I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa with Anjelica Young, Elizabeth Wallace, and Soyu Hong to create programming for kids and child/youth care workers at SOS Children's Villages, with the support of our coordinator: Youness Robert-Tahiri. I taught poetry and developmental psychology; I co-taught visual art, music, and college/career prep workshops.
In the future, my goal is to get a PhD in clinical psychology to support the mental health of kids who survived early adversity and continue research.
I love making art, playing my violin, and reading and writing poetry. Some of my favorite books are Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke and any poetry by Langston Hughes.
My name is Lianne and I am a rising fourth-year student at the University of Toronto! I am super passionate about public health and related advocacy initiatives, and hope to be a physician-policymaker. Outside of academics, I love playing music, reading, dancing, and traveling!
