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Become a Future Leader

Do you have the drive to become one of the leaders of the future?Ìý Are you excited by the opportunity to help tackleÌýworld problems?Ìý If so, this programme is for you!ÌýÌý

It's a chance for you to:

• develop your leadership skills through training and practical work
• undertake research with academic staff on questions of global significance
• be part of a high-performing group of students from across Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê
• join a global network of scholars
• enhance your CV and employability

The Laidlaw Research and Leadership ProgrammeÌýruns at manyÌýleading universities across the globe, creating a .Ìý It is generously funded by the .

Each year Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÌýrecruits up to 30 of the best applicants to become Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Laidlaw Scholars.Ìý Gaining a place on the Laidlaw ProgrammeÌýis widely regarded as an indicator of exceptional academic and leadership promise.Ìý

Visit the Drop In pages for an introduction to the Programme from the Programme Manager and Academic Director, plus examples of experiences by previous Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Laidlaw Scholars.

TheÌýprogramme of activities runs from Term 2 of your first year toÌýTerm 1 of your third year.ÌýÌýThe mainÌýelements of the programme are:

• Leadership Training (I): SixÌýdays of core leadership trainingÌý- weekendÌýactivities with your Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê cohort
• Leadership Training (II): Ethical leadership trainingÌý- working with all universities to understand our core ethical values
• Six weeksÌýresearch projectÌý- in your first summer
• Six weeks "Leadership in Action" project -Ìýin your second summer
• Networking and learning events, including attendance at the Laidlaw Scholars' Conference in your first year
• A community of high performing Laidlaw scholars in 20 top universities worldwide

All the costs of activites on this programme will be paid for.Ìý You'llÌýreceive a generous bursary to cover your living costs for the two summer projects, and in exchange you'll be expected to fully commit and work full-time on the projects.Ìý All travel and accommodation for other core activities will be provided by the programme.

Leadership

The Laidlaw programme is all about making you a better leader.Ìý The twoÌýkey elements are Leadership Training (Parts I and II)Ìýand the Leadership In Action project.

Leadership Training I: Core Training (In Person)

Taught over threeÌýweekendsÌýspread through the year, this specially tailored programme will introduce you to key concepts in leadership.

You will work with your cohort in depth to learn about

• Yourself as a leader - finding your leadership style
• Leading teams - adapting your style to others
• Leading in different workplace cultures
• Ethical leadership - understand the principles that underpin all good leadership

Key weekend workshop Dates: you must be able to attend this training as part of your award

• Fri 2 -ÌýSun 4 May 2025 - Residential Weekend outside London (see below)
• Sat 14 & Sun 15 June 2025 - Leadership Workshop 2: In person on Bloomsbury Campus
• Sat 15 & Sun 16 November 2025Ìý- Leadership Workshop 3: In person on Bloomsbury Campus

The MayÌýresidential leadership weekend is a greatÌýway to start your leadership training in a fully immersive environment.Ìý You will have the chance to get to know your cohort of Laidlaw Scholars in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.Ìý We will leave London on the Friday afternoonÌý(2 May), and stay at the venue on Friday and Saturday night, returning to London on the Sunday afternoon (4 May).

Leadership Training II: Ethical Leadership (Online)

Laidlaw scholars from all participating universities will come together to participate in Ethical Leadership workshops taught by the Oxford Character Project.Ìý Ethical leadership is key to the Laidlaw Programme's values, and these modules tie together all your previous learning and leadership experiences.

In six stimulating and though-provoking online seminars (one per month) you will consider different elements of character as it relates to leadership.Ìý A further group exercise each month will consolidate the learning, and give you the opportunity to meet and work with scholars from across the twenty Laidlaw universities.

These workshops areÌýthe final formal leadership training elements of the programme, and take place at the end of your second year on the programme (at the start of your third academic year).ÌýÌý

Summer Projects

Research Project: Summer One

All Laidlaw Scholars will undertake an independent pieceÌýof academic researchÌýlasting six weeks in their first summer.Ìý This is a chance to work with leading academic researchers, and enhance your research leadership skills.

When undertaking your research project,Ìýyou will either

1. Join an academic research teamÌýfrom the projects list -Ìýthe list is updated with new projects in November each year.
2. Propose your own summer project topicÌý- you will need to find an academic member of staff who agrees to supervise your project before you apply.

Leadership In Action Project: Summer Two

This is perhaps the most exciting element of the programme.Ìý A chance for you to travel, to experience another culture whilst enhancing your leadership skills and giving back to a community in need.

The Leadership in Action project gives you the chance to build on skills and knowledge gained in the first year of the programme.Ìý You will be working with communities in need, doing something to make the world a better place.Ìý Most Laidlaw Scholars will be expected to undertake the Leadership in Action project outside the UK.Ìý All projectsÌýare fully funded through the Laidlaw programme.

There are three types of project you could consider:

• Leadership Expedition - Choose an expedition from theÌýlist provided to you after your first year, and you will get the chance to work with Laidlaw Scholars from across the UK in challenging settings abroad, putting your leadership skills to the test.ÌýÌý
• Leadership Project with a Not-for-Profit or similar organisation -Ìý If you have your own idea about a Leadership Project, we will assist you to make it happen.Ìý The project will need to fit the ethos of the scheme, and you'll need to be a self-starter to get it off the ground.Ìý However, the satisfaction will make it all worth it.
• Infield Application of your research - Sometimes a great first year research project can be developed to workÌýin practice asÌýsecond year project - enhancing your leadership skills whilst bringing benefit to society.Ìý Not a continuation of research, but an application of it in a practical setting.

Other opportunities

Other opportunities can arise from your involvement in the Laidlaw Programme such as:

• Mentoring - As a mentor or mentee
• Joining / Leading the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Laidlaw Society
• Opportunities to present your research work or leadership experiences

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