Call for Laidlaw Scholarship project proposals
Project proposals are now being sought from academic colleagues for the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme 2022.
Supervising Laidlaw Scholars, like the 2019 cohort shown here, can have many benefits
The programme aims to develop a new generation of leaders, who are skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision making and believe it’s a moral imperative to lead with integrity.
The scheme invests in talented and motivated undergraduate students, giving them the knowledge, skills and experience to become active global citizens and future leaders.
It’s now operating at five UK universities, including Leeds, as well as several international institutions – and the network is continuing to expand.
26 scholarships are awarded to students at Leeds in the first year of a three- or four-year undergraduate degree programme.
Projects are encouraged to have an international dimension – e.g. a focus on another country or contain a global element. This may include an opportunity to spend all or part of the research period in an overseas university or placement.
The scholarships aim to create an international network of diverse, passionate and ethical leaders, who will reinvest their skills, knowledge and experience to help others succeed.
To date, more than a thousand scholars have completed the programme all over the world.
Benefits for you
There are many benefits to being a Laidlaw Programme research project supervisor, including:
- an opportunity to support and mentor ambitious and proactive students
- an opportunity to select the very best undergraduate students, who can make a genuine contribution to your research
- the chance to accompany your students to a celebration event, which will be organised for all Leeds Laidlaw Scholars
- the chance for you, your students and the department to be featured in profile-raising opportunities during the programme; and
- the development of students, including the development of potential Masters and PhD candidates, who can make a lasting contribution to your school’s research output, recruitment and reputation.
‘Being a Laidlaw supervisor is a joy’
Many colleagues have already experienced considerable benefits from taking part in the project.
Alice O’Grady, Dean: Student Education (Standards and Quality) and Professor of Applied Performance in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries (PCI), is one of them.
She said: “Being a Laidlaw supervisor is a joy. It’s an opportunity to work with someone at the very start of their leadership journey.
“Embarking on this adventure together and seeing an undergraduate take control of their material, methods and understanding of their topic is a real privilege.
“Working in this way not only supports the scholar but feeds my own research thinking, too. Seeing a novice researcher grow in confidence and take their place within a community of scholars is hugely rewarding.”
Paul Taylor, Dean: Student Education (Experience) and Professor of Chemical Education in the School of Chemistry, added: “For me, the best thing about supervising a Laidlaw Scholar was providing an opportunity to a student who hadn’t had the best chances in life so far.
“The time and support allowed them to develop and present themselves confidently to the world outside with prospects of a bright future.”
Further information
Information drop-in sessions are being held in October and November.
- Information Session One│ Monday 25 October│1-2pm
Click here to join the meeting
- Information Session Two│ Monday 1 November│2-3pm
Click here to join the meeting
Colleagues wishing to submit an application must complete the online project proposal form no later than Friday 12 November.
Guidance notes are available for completing the form, but please contact Rebecca Shaw for help or advice who, together with a full list of faculty representatives, will be able to support you through the process.
Find out more about the Laidlaw Programme and being a supervisor
Posted in: University news