The Laidlaw Foundation, renowned for its commitment to fostering ethical leadership and breaking cycles of inequality, has partnered with the Oxford SDG Impact Lab to launch the Oxford Laidlaw Scholars Programme. This transformative initiative empowers undergraduate students to address critical challenges through innovative research and leadership development.

The scholarship programme will fund up to 20 scholars annually, offering them the opportunity to undertake two six-week summer projects. During the first summer, scholars will focus on community impact research in Oxford, tackling local issues such as inequality and access to education. The second summer expands their horizons, enabling them to engage in global projects across diverse regions, addressing pressing challenges related to conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable development.

Through these projects, scholars will contribute to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Their work will encompass designing community-based programmes, researching sustainable workforce practices, and developing innovative solutions to protect local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Susanna Kempe, Chief Executive of the Laidlaw Foundation, stated, “Oxford produces more world leaders than any other university. By launching the Laidlaw Scholarship here, our aim is to ensure that those alumni lead with ingrained integrity, decency and a commitment to being a positive global force for good.”