Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme  Apply for the Laidlaw Programme

You have two pathways to choose from:

• Self-defined research pathway
• Pre-defined research pathway

The self-defined research pathway

Choose this option if you want to design an original research proposal.

You’ll need to consider the following aspects:

• your project must produce real-world impact beyond research outcomes.
• you may need an ethical review if your research has ethical implications, for example, research involving human participants or personal data. This can take up to six weeks to complete. Learn more about ethical reviews.
• you’ll need to agree and confirm support from an academic project supervisor.

We are particularly interested in receiving self-defined project applications that will use the Cheney Biomedical Accelerator on campus. There may be scope for additional funding for any successful application that uses this facility as part of their project. However, please note that this will not have any bearing at all on the application and interview process. Submission of a project that uses this facility will not give the applicant any kind of advantage when applying.

For further information, please contact the Laidlaw team at ugresearch@leeds.ac.uk.

Pre-defined research pathway

Choose this option if you’d like to select a project from a pre-defined list of research projects available on MyCareer.

Projects are interdisciplinary, so make sure to check the ‘person specification’ to make sure you’re personally eligible. We also advise that you contact the project supervisor to discuss your potential application before you apply..

Please also note that some pre-defined projects are conducted in collaboration with the Laidlaw Foundation and will be open to applications from all universities in the Laidlaw network. If you are interested in one of these projects, we advise you you email Rebecca Shaw at r.l.shaw@adm.leeds.ac.uk before you apply.

When complete your application, you will be asked about the following:

• Why the project interests you
• Why you’re interested in the Laidlaw Programme
• What qualities and experience enable you to complete both.

For the self-defined research pathway, your project supervisor must also complete a statement that supports the research project and your suitability.

For the pre-defined research pathway, your personal tutor or academic representative must complete a statement confirming your suitability for the programme.

Think in advance about what you’d like your Leadership in Action period to be. This is the period that takes place in your second summer and lasts six weeks.

You could choose from options such as:

• A leadership expedition through an organisation from the approved list of central projects.
• A leadership project with an NGO/organisation. You could propose it or choose from a University-provided list.
• Implementing your research findings. Put the findings of your first year’s project into action in a real-world setting to create positive change in society.

Your choice does not need to be set in stone when you apply, as we’ll provide more information if your application is successful.

Create a short two-minute video explaining which Laidlaw value best describes you. We encourage you to provide examples where possible.

You can submit your video when you apply.

Submit your application online at MyCareer.

If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview and your application will be judged on:

• Your potential and ambition for leadership roles in the future
• How your research could be applied and what impact it can have
• Your academic personal tutor's supporting statement
• Your enthusiasm for the Laidlaw Programme and desire to become a change-maker.