Youness Robert-Tahiri (He/Him)

Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and recently finished a Master’s in Anthropology, both at UCL.  I am your go-to person for questions regarding alumni engagement and the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio or a yoga class. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.

I am a sophomore from Seattle, WA studying History on a pre-law track. My research interests lie at the intersection of human rights, migration, and environmental justice. I am also passionate about language and writing. My research for Laidlaw is a historical case study of legal protection gaps for climate-displaced people, specifically targeted legislation and U.S. refugee provisions in the mid-late 20th century. In my free time, I enjoy reading and hiking. 

Hello! I am Mairéad, a PPE student at Durham University. I am really interested in social justice and how human rights are upheld/fail to be upheld. I have aspirations to work in the international human rights sector. I am excited to hear about other people's research and looking forward to being part of the 2024 cohort of research and leadership scholars!  Outside of academics, I'm quite involved in some charity and activist work, particularly around the protection of refugee rights. I'm also big into netball and run my college's team!

Hello! I’m Trisha, a graduate of Cornell University from Texas, USA. I majored in Environment and Sustainability with a dual focus on food systems and wildlife conservation, and minored in International Relations. My interests in combining my enduring passions for writing and wildlife conservation have driven me to explore multiple perspectives on highly-controversial issues such as trophy hunting, retaliatory animal killings, and illegal wildlife crime. Thus, during my first summer as a Laidlaw Scholar and as a member of the Morally Contested Conservation team, I wrote a literature review on the interconnectedness of climate change and human-wildlife conflicts in East and southern Africa. In June and July 2024, I furthered this research by traveling to the University of Oxford and to the Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania, and returned to Oxford and Burunge in June and July 2025 to report my results.  As an aspiring conservationist, I am passionate about making technical scientific information more accessible to the general public. I speak Marathi, Spanish, and Swahili at varying levels of fluency and plan to continue to grow my language skills to communicate conservation challenges across continents and cultures.  The Laidlaw Scholars Program was an invaluable component of my undergraduate experience. The friendships I made, as well as the research and language skills I began to develop, encouraged me to continue to ask and seek answers to complicated questions about global affairs and environmental science. If anyone has questions about the Laidlaw Program, is interested in collaborating, or just wants to say hello, please feel free to email me at trisha.bhujle@gmail.com!

Hello! My name is Cecilia, and I am entering my fourth year majoring in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies, with minors in political and applied data science at the University of Toronto. Throughout my time at UofT, I have developed a deep interest in the complexities of crime, particularly the powerful influence of organized criminal networks. 

A graduate of Cambridge University, Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. Susanna began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, which was the world’s largest organiser of commercial conferences, was acquired by Informa plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group and also led the public company’s investor relations programmes. She subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Susanna has been extensively involved with education and professional development over many years. She was Head of Group Training and led the commercial acquisition and integration of a portfolio of corporate training businesses whilst at IIR; and created learning academies at both Informa and Emap. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and believes that we need to develop a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and devoted to decency, truthfulness, and innovation. Susanna is committed to diversity not only as a societal imperative but as a critical component of commercial success. As an advisor to the trustees of the Foundation, Susanna first learnt about its purpose and programmes before becoming its Chief Executive responsible for the Laidlaw Schools Trust, the Laidlaw Scholars and its other education programmes. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo; and played netball and rowed for Newnham.

Hi, I am part of the 2023 Laidlaw cohort at the University of Leeds.    I am currently studying Adult Nursing. I am passionate about everything to do with nursing. There are many pathways that I will be able to explore throughout my career. However, currently, I am mostly interested in genomics and would like to explore this further throughout my studies. I also have a huge passion for women’s health, especially for different ethnic groups, to be able to provide education and break through the taboo barriers. Working as an adult nurse is challenging but satisfying. It is a vital role where you will make a real difference in people’s lives.    In Summer 2023, I worked on a pre-defined research project: ‘Evaluating Interdisciplinary 'Welcome, Induction, and Transitions' Support in the Undergraduate Curriculum.’ I worked alongside academics and other students to understand the outcomes associated with successful transitions, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The conclusion of my findings can be found on my page, so please have a read! The project and journey were exciting, and I developed a lot more knowledge about education policies and the huge impact it has on students, especially underrepresented groups. From the project, I have built on my leadership style and other skills due to being student-led.   In the summer of 2024, I worked on my LiA project, which focused on teaching health education to children in Bali. I developed a tailored program that could be implemented and sustained even after my placement ended, allowing the students to continue building on what they had learned. I was especially excited about this opportunity, as it allowed me to apply the skills I gained from my first project in a more practical and impactful way. It also gave me the chance to combine my passions for both education and healthcare in a meaningful setting.   Outside of my studies, I love to paint and am passionate about attending galleries and exhibitions. I enjoy spending time in nature and doing yoga. Also, I love to bake and find good places to eat with my family and friends.     If anyone has any interest in anything relating to me, my course or the research project, then please reach out 😊 

Hi, I'm Sebastian, I'm a creative professional with experience in the communications field. I recently completed my leadership-in-action project in Medellín, Colombia, focused on supporting local non-profits with innovative funding and communication strategies. My Laidlaw research delved into the topic of mental health and communication strategies for older adult populations. I am passionate about community engagement and sustainable solutions, collaborating with diverse teams to drive impactful results. I am now onto my placement year at the University of Leeds, while also continuing my social volunteer work with local organisations such as @sasha_uol and @rainbowjunktion. I'm also always more than happy for a chat but the best results are reaching out on LinkedIn ⭐

Hi everyone! My name is Lia and I just finished my second year at the University of Toronto studying English, political science and gender studies. As a member of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, I am interested in exploring the intersection of literature and politics, particularly in mitigating harmful tropes in representation. I grew up in the United Kingdom and Canada, and I had the opportunity to study at Pearson College UWC in Victoria, British Columbia.

Hello! I'm Jacob, a Finance & Economics specialist at the University of Toronto. I'm passionate about Economic Growth and Sustainability, with a focus on the benefits and limitations of welfare states, a topic which I'm exploring in my research on the long-term viability of the welfare state in Israel in the face of demographic change.

Ciao! I am Gio, a fourth-year student of Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto. I hail from the country of Georgia, nestled between Europe and Asia, with a millenia-old culture and history. This Summer I am immersing myself in a small coastal town in Northern Japan to work together with local students in uncovering societal impacts of marine climate change. Global warming is a generational challenge and its effects are highly varied from community to community across the globe. I hope to engage in discussions with my fellow students in Japan and facilitate a series of ArcGIS workshops in order to map the implications of climate change on Sanriku coast. I would love to have a chat, especially if you also like food, geography, or world history!

Hello! I am a rising sophomore interested in the intersection between health, environment, and advocacy. During Laidlaw, I am excited to research the impact of radiation on the Pacific Islands, specifically regarding contamination in local fruit and vegetation of Kiribati island. 

2024/25 Laidlaw Scholar Psychology Student  Interested in Experimental and Cognitive Neuroscience  Title Project: Unravelling the Age-Related Dynamics of Facial Recognition