Imperial announces the launch of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme, made possible thanks to support from the Laidlaw Foundation.

The fully funded 18-month programme is designed to train the next generation of ethical leaders and equip participants with the necessary skills and perspectives to excel in their chosen fields and make meaningful contributions to society.  The selected scholars will benefit from a unique combination of hands-on research and leadership experiences, mentoring and personal development opportunities.

Imperial will join 16 prestigious universities around the world that currently offer the programme, which commences in autumn 2023. Up to 25 exceptional undergraduate students per year will be selected to participate in the programme. Applications will be open to undergraduate students from across all four of the College’s faculties.

"Along with technical and scientific expertise, leaders who possess the traits of empathy, resilience, intercultural competence and alertness to the needs of their stakeholders will be critical in building an Earth in which people and planet can flourish." Professor Maurizio Zollo Scientific Director of the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society

Hosted by the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society, Imperial’s programme will be unique thanks to its alignment with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This framework will enable the selected scholars to develop their research and leadership skills with a view to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from achieving food security to ensuring health and wellbeing for all.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London said: “Imperial students have the talent and drive to change the world, and the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme will support them to engage with some of the most complex challenges society faces today. We are grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for supporting this exciting initiative and look forward to seeing the achievements of our scholars.”

Professor Maurizio Zollo, Scientific Director of the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society added: “The leaders of tomorrow will be required to play a role in addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing our planet today - the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and inequality, just to name a few. Along with technical and scientific expertise, leaders who possess the traits of empathy, resilience, intercultural competence and alertness to the needs of their stakeholders will be critical in building an Earth in which people and planet can flourish. The Leonardo Centre is delighted to lead the charge on this prestigious and inspiring programme for change makers across our student community”.

Developing the leaders of tomorrow

Before the first year of the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme, scholars will conduct independent research projects with support from a supervisor. Students will be able to select from a list of topics provided by the Leonardo Centre or devise their own programme of research inspired by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

In the second summer of the programme, scholars will take part in an immersive Leadership in Action experience, where they will put their leadership theory into practice by planning and leading a change project based on their research findings.

Throughout the programme, scholars will receive bespoke leadership training, visits from guest speakers and coaching, and will become part of the Laidlaw Scholars Network, a global community of more than 1,000 scholars from the 17 top global universities participating in the programme.

To find out more about the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme and how to apply, visit the Imperial website. 

About the Laidlaw Foundation

"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Imperial to the group of world-leading research universities offering Laidlaw scholarships to develop a new generation of ethical leaders and change makers." Susanna Kempe CEO of the Laidlaw Foundation

The Laidlaw Foundation believes that education is the single most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and reduce inequality in the world. The Foundation invests in the education of the underprivileged and the under-represented in order to create systemic change.

The Laidlaw Foundation’s goal is to develop a new generation of engaged global citizens and leaders; who embrace research, make evidence-based decisions and believe that there is a moral imperative to act with integrity.

Susanna Kempe, CEO of the Laidlaw Foundation said: “President Brady’s and Professor Zollo’s ambition and determination to empower their students to tackle the world’s most complex challenges is inspiring. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Imperial to the group of world-leading research universities offering Laidlaw scholarships to develop a new generation of ethical leaders and change makers.”

To find out more about the Laidlaw Foundation, please visit the Foundation's website.