Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme

RESEARCH PROJECT

The research component of the programme allows Scholars to approach an academic supervisor to support them in delivering an original, student-led 6 week research project. Research projects with an international dimension or of an interdisciplinary nature are encouraged. The main project aim must be original and distinct from an existing and ongoing project. The project must also be entirely separate from any work submitted for credit as part of the undergraduate degree. Students are otherwise encouraged to build on the interests, knowledge, and experience already developed through their studies.

Scholars receive a living stipend of €3,500 during Summer 1 and can apply for additional project and travel funding to develop their project.

You can also view examples of projects from previous Laidlaw Scholars @ Research | Laidlaw Scholars Network.

Finding a Project or Supervisor

The majority of research projects undertaken by Laidlaw Scholars at Trinity are self-defined by the student and supervised by a member of the core academic staff. You can ask any member of Trinity’s core academic staff to support your application. This staff member must be available to supervise you for the duration required, including your Summer 1 project, potential Summer 2 experience. They would ideally have research interests in the same area as your proposed project. You can also ask more than one supervisor to support your project, either from another department in Trinity or an external supervisor e.g. an academic at another institution. Your Trinity supervisor will be your primary supervisor in that scenario and they will both need to sign a letter of support.

The Trinity research pages can be used to search for academics who have research interests which overlap with your project. Each department will also have an academic staff page which will include the research interests of the staff member. If you don't already have someone in mind, the best place to start is with a short and polite email!

Supervisors and students should discuss the length of the programme and scope of your involvement as part of the initial proposal meeting and it is expected that the supervisor commits to supporting you for the duration required. Your supervisor should also make their Head of School or equivalent aware of their role in regards to your project so appropriate support can be put in place if required.

If your supervisor wishes to know more about the Laidlaw Programme and their role as supervisor to a Laidlaw Scholar, please refer them to employability@tcd.ie.

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

Laidlaw Scholars will put their leadership skills into practice in an immersive setting which will give them the opportunity to expand their perspective of different cultures and environments and make a positive impact to society.

There are a variety of ways that Laidlaw Scholars can achieve this goal such as creating a placement project with an organisation such as a charity/NGO/not-for-profit, through an in-field application of their Summer 1 research, or by joining a cross-university expedition to support a community in need, organised centrally via the Laidlaw Foundation.

All LiA experiences will include:

• A learning experience of 6 weeks duration in a new and personally challenging environment.
• Working to support communities in need.
• Developing and demonstrating the Laidlaw leadership skills, attributes, and values.
• Clearly defined objectives and deliverables owned by the Scholar.
• Learning through service internationally/overseas.

Scholars receive a living stipend of €3,500 during Summer 2 and can apply for additional project and travel funding to enable their Leadership-in-Action experience.

The Laidlaw Scholarship is awarded on condition of full participation by the Laidlaw Scholar in the programme, including attendance at all core Laidlaw events and engagement with the intended learning outcomes. Events and activities will normally be in person, hybrid/remote options will be made available where possible. The core requirements include:

• 6 weeks full-time research in Summer 1
• A minimum of 7 full days of leadership training (which includes the Ethical Leadership module)
• Individual coaching sessions
• 6 weeks full-time LiA experience in Summer 2
• Completion of project reports, reflective exercises, and other developmental activities
• An international experience of at least 5-6 weeks duration
• Engaging actively with the Laidlaw Programme team and contributing to the Laidlaw Scholar community

Every effort should be made to engage with any additional Laidlaw activities throughout the duration of the programme, such as:

• Participation in peer learning activities
• Participation in outreach or volunteering activities
• Participation in other Laidlaw community events and activities such as mentoring, attending Laidlaw Foundation webinars and the Laidlaw annual conference
• Promotional activities related to the Laidlaw Programme
• Submission requirements of the Laidlaw Programme include:
• A reflective report on the research project and leadership development after Summer 1
• A research poster
• A reflective report on the LiA experience and overall programme development after Summer 2
• Blog posts on the Laidlaw at Trinity blog at various stages of the programme

These responsibilities may evolve over the course of the programme in response to changing circumstances and new developmental opportunities.

The Laidlaw Programme requires dedication and commitment from Scholars - all mandatory dates are provided in advance and Scholars are expected to take responsibility for ensuring they can fully engage with all requirements in addition to their normal course work and activities. During the agreed core Laidlaw dates in each Summer the Laidlaw Scholars will be expected to work full-time on their project or their LiA experience and may not simultaneously take holidays or undertake other paid work.

Scholars who are studying internationally as part of their programme will be expected to make their own arrangements and every reasonable effort to attend mandatory in-person activities. Laidlaw Scholars who do not complete the programme attendance and submission requirements to a satisfactory level will be unable to meet the minimum learning requirements and may be asked to discontinue from the programme and any associated funding.

The Laidlaw Scholars are generously funded by Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay and the Irvine Laidlaw Foundation. Laidlaw Scholars and supervisors at Trinity College Dublin are part of an international network of leading research-intensive universities which deliver the programme. 

Learn more about the Laidlaw Foundation, our partner universities, and the wider network of Laidlaw initiatives here.

Follow the Laidlaw Foundation on LinkedIn and X.  

Trinity College fully respects your right to privacy and actively seeks to preserve the privacy rights of data subjects who share personal data with the University. Any personal information which you volunteer to the Service in the course of applying to or participating in the Laidlaw Programme will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, in accordance with data protection legislation.