UCL Laws LLB student Muhammad Mahmoud presents research at Laidlaw Scholars Conference

Photo credit: Heather Magner at Northern Exposure

Last month, second-year LLB Law student Muhammad Mahmoud delivered a presentation at the prestigious Laidlaw Scholars Conference, hosted at the University of Leeds. The event, which brought together over 300 attendees, served as a platform for Laidlaw Scholars from leading universities worldwide to exchange insights and showcase their research.

The Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship programme is designed to develop leadership skills among undergraduate students through dedicated training and practical experience. As part of the programme, all scholars undertake an independent summer research project addressing issues of global importance under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The two other 2024 Laidlaw Scholars from UCL Laws were Anoushka Kaur Ichpanani and Vivian Jade Yee. All three scholars gained their places on the programme against fierce competition.

Muhammad’s project, supervised by Dr Niamh Connolly (Associate Professor at UCL Laws) and Jack Beadsworth (PhD student at UCL Laws), explored the employment experiences of refugees after gaining asylum in the UK. His research highlighted critical socio-legal challenges, such as barriers to integration, limited awareness of employment rights, and incidents of workplace discrimination. Combining interviews with employed refugees, analysis of secondary literature, and an examination of relevant legislation, Muhammad shed light on how the law shapes the experiences and obstacles faced by vulnerable refugees.

Muhammad commented:

"Undertaking this research project was an incredible experience that allowed me to amplify the voices of refugees, highlight their challenges, and advocate for meaningful change to support their integration and empowerment."

Muhammad’s full report is available to read: Navigating Employment: The Impact of UK Immigration and Labour Laws on Refugees’ Employment Experiences Post-Asylum Seeking.

Apply now

Applications for the 2025 Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship programme are now open. Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply by Monday 13 January 2025. For more information, visit UCL’s Laidlaw programme website.