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The Laidlaw Research and Leadership Programme

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Scholars 2019

The third intake of Laidlaw Scholars consists of 17 women and 8 men drawn from 8 UCL faculties.

The 2019 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars were chosen for outstanding leadership and academic potential.

Arts and humanities

Susanna Marak-Freeman, BA Comparative Literature   

Susan Marak-Freeman

Summer Project: How the internet is changing Orthodox Christian liturgical chant

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

The opportunity to contribute research to an under-studied area which has impact across the disciplines of musicology, anthropology, theology, and migration & policy.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I genuinely don’t know what the results will be! I’m leaning in one direction based on my personal experience, but that might be totally contradicted by the research I carry out in these communities.

Where are you from?  Which local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I’m from right here in west London. I would say go to Hyde Park on a spring day. Walk under the trees, be amazed by the massive golden Albert Memorial, and then cross over the road and light some candles in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. It’s just been renovated and it’s stunning.

Which school teacher inspired you most?  How? 

Mr. Taylor, my Spanish teacher in secondary school. He was passionately interested in all sorts of things and talked about it all with us. I learnt just as much about the English language from him as I did Spanish.
 

Chiara Maurino, BA Comparative Literature with a Year Abroad

Chiara Maurino

Summer Project: Politicizing Eroticism: unmasking dictatorial criticism in 20th century feminist fiction of the Southern Cone

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I decided to apply to become a Laidlaw scholar because I firmly believe that you should try and take every opportunity that comes your way. This year I’ve taken a few modules that have exposed me to the Latin American literary canon, and I realised that it was an aspect of literature that I am really drawn to, despite not knowing much about it. For this reason, the Laidlaw scholarship seemed to me an interesting way of exploring further. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I’m really interested in the notion of representation, and I find the ways in which marginalised groups of people can empower themselves through their writing really exciting and novel. The fact that even under the most strict dictatorships, the female writers I am researching were able to rebel against their oppressors and empower themselves through their erotic writing is so striking because it can really help us to evolve our understanding not only of feminism, but also of literature and its function in the world. 

Which school teacher inspired you most and why? 

My English teacher Dr Patrick is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. During the dark abyss of A-level year, Dr Patrick managed to stir my interest in literature and encourage me to explore ideas outside of the classroom. I still feel his influence in my academic pursuits today, I’m sure I wouldn’t have applied for the Laidlaw scholarship had he not installed the confidence within me to do so. 

Which skill would you most like to learn and why? 

I would love to learn to speak Portuguese! I’m really interested in Latin American culture and speaking Portuguese fluently would enable me to access Brazilian texts, music and travel around more confidently!
 

The Bartlett built environment

Sion Lee, BSc Urban Studies

Sion Lee

Summer Project: Ecosystem Strategy Framework

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

One of my future goals is to become an academic who conducts research projects and also takes initiative in the provision of high-quality education for all. The Laidlaw Research and
Leadership Programme is highly relevant for me to achieve these goals by training both my research and leadership skills.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

The theory that technology-driven businesses create an ecosystem structure interests me very much. How businesses interact in such an environment and how it influences the way they
make managerial decisions in such scope is something that I look forward to learning more.

What’s the last thing that made you laugh?

This question! It would have been very difficult for me to answer this if it wasn’t for this question since I laugh at anything.

If you could keep only three possessions, what would they be and why?

I would keep the teddy bear that has been with me since when I was two years old, the jumper that my mom gave me which was gifted by my dad to her before I was born, and the only letter
that has ever made me cry. This is because the things I have listed have meanings beyond the material level and cannot be replaced.

Fola Olaleye, BSc Urban Planning, Design and Management

Fola Olaleye

Summer Project: Evaluating Urban Design Governance

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I saw the Laidlaw Scholarship as a brilliant and unique opportunity for me to develop research skills at such an early stage in my academic career. As someone who is interested in doing a postgraduate degree, I think the programme allows me to get a feel for real and meaningful academic research. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

As a 1st Year Urban Planning student, I am keen to explore all dimensions of planning.  Therefore, researching urban design governance will diversify my knowledge and allow me to better understand the value and implementation of good design in the built environment.  

Which school teacher inspired you most?  How?

My A Level Geography teacher. He was a really fun and engaging teacher who always went the extra mile for his students.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would love to go to any city/town in Germany for the great food and beer!  
 

Brain Sciences    

Leonor Silva Abreu Lopes Feio, BSc Psychology and Language Sciences

Leonor Feio

Summer Project: Political Attitudes and Psychological Attributional Styles

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I believe the Laidlaw scholarship is the best opportunity for 1st Years. Not only for those who consider a career in research, but also for the Leadership component that can be applied in any path one chooses to follow. It is, therefore, an amazing way to start working towards a future career. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

Politics is a topic of extreme importance in the world we live in today. I believe we should do our best to understand the processes underlying our political choices and politics as a whole. Furthermore, it is a topic which relates to my field of study, Psychology and Language Sciences, and one I am considering working on in my future career.

Where are you from?  Which local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I’m from a city in Portugal called Coimbra. Coimbra is known for having the oldest University in Portugal and one of the oldest in Europe! If ever there, climbing the tower of the University is a must do - it has one of the most beautiful views of the city!

Which school teacher inspired you most?  How?

Looking back, my primary school teacher, Adelaide Laranjeira, is who inspired me the most. She taught us to always question what we’re told, search beyond the information we’re given and never give up.
 

Jocelyn To, BSc Neuroscience

Jocelyn To

Summer Project: Understanding the effects of self-motion on visual motion perception

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

As an aspiring researcher, the chance to explore and conduct academic research is an immensely valuable opportunity. It would also be a fantastic way to connect with people from different backgrounds.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

Of the senses we have, it seems that we are most conscious and reliant on using vision to perceive the world. It would be fascinating to understand how our own motions may affect visual perception through modulation of visual processing.

Which skill would you most like to learn and why?

Apart from neuroscience and research-related skills, I would like to learn new languages. Languages can tell a lot about their respective cultures, and I would love to experience the different cultures of the world.

What’s the last thing that made you laugh?

XKCD author, Randall Munroe’s answers to his readers’ “what if” questions. The responses he gives are always hilarious, and in some ways, unexpected.

Engineering sciences    

Richard Capraru, MEng Engineering

Richard Capraru

Summer Project: Radar Research

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

Laidlaw is one of the most prestigious scholarships at UCL. With this in mind, I wanted to develop my Engineering knowledge and obtain hands-on experience by working on real research projects at the state-of-the-art UCL laboratories. It is a honour for me to be a part of this multicultural community of self-motivated students from all over the world that one day will inuence the future of our society.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

Radar research will greatly improve the existing technology in the future. Security and Monitoring Global Climate Changes are only a part of the applications of radars. Knowing this, I want to make a real contribution to the Radar Research and to create better devices that will one day improve people's lives.

If you could only keep three possessions, what would they be and why?

A list with Engineering Ethics- Engineering changes the world and creates a better future for everyone. However, with great power comes a great responsibility. Ethics and morality are the key things that I have to consider in order to become a real Engineer.

A picture of my family - Regardless of where I will be or what I will do in the future, I must never forget what really matters to me as an individual. The real power to deal with any challenge in life comes from the love for your home, and for the people you care about.

A chess board- This small representation of our society always helps me understand how every single individual's actions have an impact on the society as a whole. Nevertheless, it's also a game that helps me understand people better.

Describe yourself in three adjectives

Resolute- I am very steadfast in my determination to achieve my goals and to win. However, for me, the concept of “winning" is not represented only by academic recognition. It is also represented by the individual development and by succeeding to help others to reach their full potential.

Understanding - I love working together with people from di_erent backgrounds as part of a cohesive group or team. I like to see people's own ideas as well as their true intentions, regardless of how maverick their thinking may be or how insurgent their character may be.

Honest - In order to become a true Leader and an eloquent speaker, I always keep two words in mind: “Veritas et Integritas". The most evocative speeches are the ones that have honest reasoning.

Sammie Kwong, BSc Security and Crime Science

Sammie Kwong

Summer Project: Evaluating Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Programmes

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar? 

Mainly the networking opportunities. I enjoy meeting like-minded people, discussing different topics with them and listening to their perspectives – the scholarship will give me a platform to do just that.

What interests you most about your chosen project? 

What interests me most is finding trends in the survey data and seeing how they compare to other victim satisfaction metrics both within and outside the UK.

What skill would you most like to learn and why? 

Skydiving, because I’ve always wondered what it’s like to see some of the world’s most stunning places from above.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Kyrgyzstan, because of its remoteness, authenticity and unspoilt landscape.

Life sciences    

Nusayba Ali, MPharm Pharmacy

Nusayba Ali

Summer Project: Nail Fungal Infections using Medicinal Patches

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I hoped that by taking part in such a rewarding and challenging project, I will develop confidence in my ability to undertake a research-intensive project, as well as enhance my research and leadership skills. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

What interests me most about my chosen project, is the opportunity to play a role in the development of a new treatment for nail fungal infections, which will be more effective than existing treatments.  As a pharmacy undergraduate student, I am interested in public health and well-being. Through taking part in a project that is purely focused on public health, I will be able to apply my knowledge to benefit others. 
 
What school teacher inspired you most? How?

My German teacher at school inspired me the most, as she was kind and thoughtful, and always wanted the best for her students. I felt most happy and comfortable in my German class, and I have fond memories of being in that class. 

What skill would you most like to learn and why?

Swimming. It has been a long time since I had swimming classes and it is something I would like to get back into. Swimming is a fun and healthy way to exercise, as well as a good way to develop other transferable skills. 
 

Victoria Goldberg, MPharm Pharmacy

Victoria Goldberg

Summer Project: Synthesis and evaluation of compounds designed to prevent oxidative neurodegeneration

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I was very excited by the opportunity to be immersed in high level academic research as a first year undergraduate, developing skills that will be very useful for further studies and future careers. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

My project builds on my interests in drug development and medicinal chemistry. Learning more about how molecules interact with enzymes and proteins within the body, and how this can be used to treat diseases is a very fascinating and an important area of research that I believe will always be relevant. 

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?

The teacher who inspired me the most was probably my A Level Biology teacher. He inspired me because he was so passionate about his field and would always talk about his research (genetic studies in fruit flies), which is probably one of the reasons why I am so interested in pursuing research. 

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would very much like to travel to Norway. The scenery there is beautiful, and I would love to have a chance to see the Northern Lights. 

Shin Kang, BSc Biological Sciences

Shin Kang

Summer Project: Investigation on the Developmental Triggers of Whale Encephalisation & Reconstruction of Whale Brain Size Evolution

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I felt that the Laidlaw Scholar programme is a great opportunity to get to conduct my own research on what I am deeply fascinated in, and work directly with and learn from the leading expert of the field that I am passionate about. Getting to meet and build relationships with other passionate people from different disciplines also excited me. Finally, the extremely generous scholarship was attractive as well. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I am a whale-obsessed person, and getting to work on the evolution on whales is extremely exciting and important to me. Particularly, I have been long fascinated by how their intellectual and social complexity came to arise in history. This project, which investigates the evolution of the brain mass in cetacean species and the contributing developmental factors, will be the direct first step I take in finding the answer. 


What skill would you most like to learn and why?

I would like to learn how to play a cello. Because I always listen to cello music and their sound is absolutely beautiful. 

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would go to the Arctic and Antarctica, because they are the two harshest and the most beautiful places on earth. Also I am extremely interested in the polar fauna; getting to encounter with animals such as leopard seals, polar bears and narwhals in the wild, would be the most exciting events in my life. 

Albert Martí i Sabarí, MSci Biological Sciences

Summer Project: Decoding the clockwork underlying sex-specific cell fate switches in Caenorhabditis elegans

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I wanted to take part in a research project with a lecturer at UCL, whose work I found very interesting. I thought becoming a Laidlaw Scholar would not only financially allow me to do so, but integrate myself in a wider range of talented scholars.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

Understanding how a complex organism is formed from a single fertilised egg is a complex matter, which makes it even more interesting. In this project I will be studying a small portion of the cellular processes that assign cell fate.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I am from Bordils, a small village in Girona, Catalunya, Spain. I would strongly recommend visiting the old part of Girona for its history, its people and its beautiful atmosphere.

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?

Many of my teachers have had an impact on me as a person. The one who’s inspired me the most was my last philosophy teacher. He was a very wise man of quite different background and ideology, but I truly admired his way of thinking. He gave me a new perspective on many aspects of life.

Chandika Soondram, MSci Biochemistry

Chandika Soondram

Summer Project: Diagnosis in Mitochondrial Disease Patients

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

The Laidlaw programme seemed very interesting and rewarding to me. I was enthusiastic about getting involved in the cutting-edge research projects that were being offered and also, I find the leadership training useful in terms of acquiring the soft skills needed to succeed in the world of academia nowadays.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

Being a Biochemistry student, I am familiar to protein purification techniques, gel electrophoresis and most importantly, I learnt about the pivotal role of mitochondria in the cell. As this project is about mitochondrial disorder and the defective enzyme complexes involved, I find that it reflects multiple aspects of my degree. Furthermore, I am interested in how this project uses BNPAGE as a method to obtain results that are of great relevance to medicine. 

Describe yourself in three adjectives:

Curious, resilient, funny.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would like to go to Brussels, both for its gastronomy and architectural landmarks. Eating chocolates is my guilty pleasure and there could be no better place to visit than the city with renowned chocolate manufacturers. I equally want to visit ‘The Atomium’ which was constructed for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels.
 

Mathematical and physical sciences    

Radosław Kalęba, BSc Chemistry

Photograph of Radoslaw Kaleba

Summer Project: Electronic structure and dynamics determination of the alizarin anion

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
Once my friend told me about the Laidlaw Scholarship I instantly knew I want to apply. This seemed to be a thrilling opportunity not only to pursue my interest but also to interact with like-minded people and to travel the world.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

My project is based mainly in the laboratory and it is extremely exciting for me to do something no one has done before. Being able to contribute to the scientific community is a privilege. Shooting a laser at something can give us insights into the structure of matter and also is real fun.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I was born in the city of Kraków, which is one of the oldest cities in Poland. I would strongly recommend this place to anyone enjoying medieval architecture, history and good food. If you prefer nature you won’t be disappointed, magnificent Tatra mountains are just a stone’s throw away.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
I would go to some remote and exotic island like Fiji. You can’t really go any further, the unspoiled nature is breath-taking and they have sun.

 

Andrei-Alexandru Paraschiv, MSci Physics

Photo of Andrei Paraschiv

Summer Project: Exoplanets

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
I have applied to become a Laidlaw scholar as it an unique opportunity for first year undergraduates to gain genuine research experience while also developing their leadership skills.

What interests you most about your chosen project?
The study of exoplanets is a field still in its youth. It was formally established less than 30 years ago, with more than half of all known exoplanets being discovered in the last 5 years. The world of its objects of study is only now opening up, and with it a whole series of fascinating questions arise. As such, through my chosen project I can play a part in the field’s budding phase, when even humble contributions can have a real impact on its later stages.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?
If you ever get a chance to visit Bucharest, my home city, I urge you to avoid the generic tourist attractions. Try going to the central parks and the old town instead, to get a feel of its atmosphere. Specifically, I would recommend a visit to Eden and Green hours, two beer gardens which are to London’s pubs what Regent’s park is to an indoor mall garden.

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?
My high school physics teacher. Beyond being a brilliant academic, she has been a deeply dedicated mentor. She has spared no effort in trying to help me wrestle with the my many shortcomings that have crippled most of my past academic endeavours. I owe her a lot, both academically and personally. 

Eleanor Smith, MSci Chemistry

Photo of Eleanor Smith

Summer Project: New dications new chemistry: ionization of phosphorus trifluoride

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
I was looking for undergraduate research opportunities. The Laidlaw Scholarship looked like the perfect opportunity.  After doing some research I discovered I was also interested in the leadership aspect, so I took a chance and applied.

What interests you most about your chosen project?
I love the equipment used for analytical chemistry. It’s a lot of fun to learn about the theory behind the machines as well as how to use them. All of the equipment I will use is custom built so I cannot do research like this anywhere else, which is very exciting.

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?
My secondary school maths teacher was really inspiring. She improved my confidence in maths and was always there if I was having a bad day. As a result, I discovered I really love maths, which I never imagined I would.

Describe yourself in three adjectives.
Weird,  loyal and friendly

Medical sciences    

Isis Calado, MBBS Medicine

Photo of Isis Calado

Summer Project: Understanding why so many New Doctors leave within 5 years

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
I was curious about the inclusion of both research and leadership components in a programme for undergraduate students. I decided to apply because I thought I could gain lot out of my first experience in formal research by simultaneously learning about different ways in which to work in a team.

What interests you most about your chosen project?
I am looking forward get a good insight on how to carry out Systematic Realist reviews. When applying for the scholarship, I begun to understand the importance of the systematic review of research and how these reviews hold the potential to inform policy making – something I’d like to get involved in future.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?
I come from Azeitão, a lovely town in coast of Portugal. However, if you were to visit my country, I would tell you to travel further south, to Sagres, the southern-westmost tip of Europe – an amazing place to surf, dive and engage with Portuguese History.

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?
My high school French teacher became the school’s principal in my last year. As our first women Head of College, it was incredible to learn from her transparent and courageous leadership style. 
 

Ryan Turner

Photo of Ryan Turner

Summer Project: Analysing Brain Tumours

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
When applying to medical school and since being involved on the programme, I have been opposed to the idea that at some point in the future I will be in a career in which I will be simply treating symptoms, whilst patients - people - are still living with debilitating conditions. Perhaps this is quite a polarising opinion and perhaps it is fantasy, but I want to progress into a career in which such conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, dementia, cancer and so on, have positive prognoses or can potentially be 'cured' - whatever that might mean. This idea is only possible through a continuation of current research, acceleration of future research and through the development of leaders that are bold enough to drive such a notion - the strong foundation that the Laidlaw scholarship would give me in pursuit of this ambition is what made me apply; I hope it will provide me with the basic leadership and research skills that are necessary for my future academic and career goals, in which I hope to tackle some of the big challenges of medicine.

What interests you most about your chosen project?
Paediatric Low Grade Glioma (PLGG) is the most common brain tumour of childhood, so to be able to contribute to scientific research which aims to identify novel molecular targets and subsequent therapeutics for such tumours, which are recurrent and inaccessible to resection, is what interests me the most - the clinical relevance of the research and the potential that it has. In the future, this is exactly the type of work that I am interested in doing - I hope that I can be involved in clinical practice as well as conduct research which can be translated from the bench to the bedside.

What school teacher inspired you most? How?
At secondary school, my Triple Science teacher - Dr Lower - told me from the outside to "be proactive" and "begin with the end in mind" - these two phrases first got me thinking in-depth about my future and they have stuck with me since my first secondary-school exams through to the beginning of medical school. I think it was his attention-to-detail and rigorous approach to teaching, as well as his enthusiasm for science and research, that helped to inspire my career ambitions as well as my study habits, curiosity and drive - I would say that much of my success thus far owes to the learning environment that he provided me with.

What skill would you most like to learn and why?
Without doubt this would have to be computer programming and learning the associated languages which underpin artificial intelligence, machine learning and software development. Recent publications and applications from Deep Mind - specifically Deep Mind Health - highlight the impact that AI and machine learning is having on modern-day medicine and the exciting potential that it has to revolutionise treatments and get to a point of truly personalised therapeutics. As an aspiring physician-scientist interesting in neuroscience and neurology, I would go as far to say that to not learn such skills could be damaging to my potential.
 

Social and historical sciences    

Will Chantry, BA Geography (International)

Photo of Will Chantry

Summer Project: The Impact of Brexit on UK-EU Data Flows

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar? 
I saw applying to Laidlaw as a great opportunity to enhance two key transferable skills: leadership and research. Not only this, the possibility to meet many more inspiring students attracted me to apply, as it would provide a valuable networking experience.
What interests you most about your chosen project? 
The fact that I am working at the front line of an issue excites me, as I will produce work that could well benefit policy making and enlighten people on another important, yet under-reported, Brexit conundrum! Another exciting aspect of my project is the prospect of going to Brussels to interview MEPs on the front line of Brexit negotiations. 
What skill would you most like to learn and why? 
I would love to become fluent in French. I have always enjoyed learning the language at school and to be able to speak it fluently would not only be pretty cool but also very useful in many different ways. 
If you could only keep three possessions, what would they be and why? 
A football, a passport and a voucher for unlimited restaurant food. So I can do two of my favourite things and still travel the world. 


Isabella Duan, BSc Philosophy, Politics, Economics

Photo of Isabella Duan

Summer Project: The Legal Foundations of US States of Exception

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
I greatly appreciate extraordinary research and training opportunities offered by Laidlaw scholarship to first-year undergraduate students. Also, my chosen project captures me—it is a perfect match for my personal and professional interests.
What interests you most about your chosen project?
My chosen research project, which strives to investigate the legal framework of U.S. state of exception, interests me because it could deliver imperative implications on a series of questions concerning IHRL in post-9/11 world. What is the nature of law? What is its scope of jurisdiction? Is law an institution of states? Or is law sometimes above states?
Describe yourself in three adjectives.
Curious. Intuitive. Empathetic. 
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
Iceland—to see the Northern Lights. 

Oliver Dutton, BA History

Photo of Oliver Dutton

Summer Project: The Legal Foundations of US States of Exception

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I saw the Laidlaw Scholarship as an excellent opportunity to develop my research, communication and organisational skills. Further, the Scholarship gives students an invaluable chance to learn from senior researchers whilst working on a sustained piece of academic work. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I am particularly interested in Carl Schmitt’s political thought, especially in its relationship to early modern English political philosophy. The opportunity, therefore, to apply Schmitt’s conceptual work, and the results it would yield, to nineteenth century American history was intriguing.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I grew up in Wiltshire. Any visitor coming to the county of the moonrakers is remiss if they don’t visit Stonehenge, as it provides an excellent introduction to the county and country’s history.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

I would like to return to Florence. Despite only going there for a handful of days, I found the architecture and art incredible – and worthy of many more hours of appreciation.
 

Dani Podgoretskaya, BA Politics Sociology and East European Studies

Summer Project: Northern Ireland, European Jewry and Refugee Relief

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
The main reason why I have decided to apply for this scholarship was curiosity. I wanted to find out what it is like to do real research and Laidlaw was a great chance!
What interests you most about your chosen project?
The best part about my project is that it can be easily applied to the current questions of refugees and war. Therefore, while this project intends to achieve historic justice, it also has important implications for the current political issues. 
Where are you from? What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?
I’m from Barcelona, Spain. Make sure to visit the Serra de Collserola mountain and park when you are in town. Whatever you do, don’t go to Barcelona during the summer!
What skill would you most like to learn and why?
I would love to learn how to cook for, well, practical reasons. Not only is this a useful survival skill but also a fairly relaxing activity. 

Emmy Pu, BA History of Art

Photo of Emmy Pu

Summer Project: Culture Shapers: British Red and Chinese Red

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?
The opportunity the Laidlaw Programme offers undergraduate students  to propose their own research projects is irresistible. Through conducting my own research project, I hope to improve my research skills and experiment on my field of interest at an early stage prior to my future career. Hence I applied to become a Laidlaw Scholar. 
 

What interests you most about your chosen project?
As an international student, I have always been interested in comparing and contrasting Eastern and Western cultures and exploring whether art has the power to engage people from diverse backgrounds. 
Colour has been in spotlight in recent years with the invention of the first new blue pigment in the last 200 years and the discovery of the oldest colour in the world, a type of bright pink. This fits into my aspiration to incorporate my Chinese background and my experience in Britain into my studies of History of Art as red is of special significance to both countries, which led me to propose this project.
 

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?
I am from Shanghai, an energetic, creative and trendy city where everything is possible. While there are a lot of popular tourist attractions, I would recommend taking a walk around Huaihai Road, Wukang Road, Hengshan Road and Xintiandi because these are the places where the classic — stylish boulevards lined with shady phoenix trees and traditional architecture are juxtaposed with the modern — jazz shows and fashion shows, where you can get a sense of the Shanghainese culture and chic.
 

What’s the last thing that made you laugh?
The fact that I was reading an online article about universities sending offer letters in error when I received the email that confirmed my successful application to the Laidlaw Programme. Literally laughed in horror.
 

Hugo Tay, BA Archaeology and Anthropology

Photo of Hugo Tay

Summer Project: Understanding the dialectical nature of knowledge generation- a critical evaluation of the roles and impact of artificial intelligence in knowledge-intensive tasks

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I applied to be a Laidlaw Scholar because I want to deliver concrete and transformative impact in my community through the top-level research I conduct at UCL. I am also curious about the latest developments in research pertaining to artificial intelligence, and ways in which they can be used to shape policies and improve social outcome.

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I am interested in the project because of the impact it creates and its relevance to today’s global economy. The disruptive impact of technological transformation has significant implications for policy design and social mobility, particularly in the knowledge sector; comprehending the full impact of these technologies can help regulators design better policies and anticipate potential pitfalls of technological adoptions.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I am from Singapore. I recommend Gardens by the Bay- a futuristic garden which has plants of more than 200 species and the largest greenhouse in the world. 

What school teacher inspired you most?  How?

My high school teacher, Mr Jamie Reeves inspired me the most. He offered me a place on the Humanities Programme and it very much shaped who I am today. 
 

Phoebe Thomas, BA History of Art

Photo of Phoebe Thomas

Summer Project: Creating a Teaching Collection for History of Art

What made you apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar?

I applied to be a Laidlaw Scholar because I wanted to contribute to research within the arts and historical sciences. The Laidlaw Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for me, as a first year undergraduate, to gain relevant experience with the collection and curation of objects. 

What interests you most about your chosen project?

I am most interested in learning more about the function of ‘obsolete technologies’, in particular what we can learn from objects whose purpose has been altered. I am also keen to expand upon my research and leadership skills.

Where are you from?  What local tourist or visitor attraction would you recommend and why?

I was born in Liverpool, but grew up on the Wirral. There are lots of tourists attractions in Liverpool that aren’t just connected to The Beatles! I would recommend visiting Tate Liverpool, The Walker Art Gallery, and The Bluecoat. Tate Liverpool, on the Albert Dock, always has interesting exhibitions on that include both classical and contemporary art. The Walker also has some incredible shows, and is very family friendly. The Bluecoat is an amazing space that showcases various types of art, such as music, literature, and performance. 

What skill would you most like to learn and why?

I consider myself quite creative, however I would love to learn how to act and play an instrument. It would be amazing to be able to perform in plays, as well as creating music!