This programme, available to first-year undergraduate students, is about you and your development and preparation for the future. It’s your unique opportunity to develop leadership and research experience and skills beyond your academic studies through practical training and reflection.

Building on Imperial’s expertise in STEM, you will learn to analyse and address wicked problems while reflecting on leadership as a complex and multi-faceted concept. You will have the opportunity to think about and discuss questions of ethical leadership and integrity, explore your individual understanding of leadership, and reflect on the contributions you would like to make as a graduate.

The Imperial Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme will help you develop the following competencies: leadership abilities; self-knowledge and awareness; effective communication; critical and creative thinking; collaboration and team working; social and cultural intelligence and awareness; resilience and determination; and research and project management.


How does it work?
The programme takes place over the first two years of your undergraduate degree and is fully funded. Each year has a specific focus.

In the first year, you will conduct a fully-funded six-week interdisciplinary group research project that will explore one specific aspect of leadership. This project will take place in summer between your first and second year of study and you will have a supervisor to support you and your peers. You will gain first-hand research experience while deepening your knowledge and reflection in the field of leadership. Working in a team with other Laidlaw Scholars towards a shared goal, you will also further develop your collaborative leadership skills.

In the second year, you will complete a fully-funded six-week immersive Leadership-in-Action project which will take place in summer between your second and third year of study (typically between late June and end of August, after your summer exams). This work-based learning placement (full-time) will allow you to gain valuable experience and develop relevant leadership skills beyond your programme of study. The project you will be working on will focus on work with a community in need and will take you out of your comfort zone

Each year you’d be given £6000 to complete the required activities. For more information please visit: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/laidlaw/