What to Expect at the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars Conference

We’re thrilled to welcome you to the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars Conference! This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Laidlaw Scholars from around the world, share diverse experiences, and reflect on your leadership journey.

This year, our theme is "Curiosity: Beyond Assumptions, Towards Understanding," which will guide us through a series of thought-provoking discussions, inspiring presentations, and collaborative activities aimed at challenging your perspectives and expanding your horizons.

Conference Highlights

The 2024 North American conference will be held at University of Columbia and Barnard College, bringing together over 200 attendees from partner universities across the region, as well as international scholars and guests. The weekend will focus on constructive dialogue, open-mindedness, and the synthesis of diverse viewpoints to foster ethical leadership.

Here’s a glimpse into the conference sessions:

One of the most important elements of this conference is highlighting Laidlaw Scholar achievements. We want to showcase the innovative research and leadership projects undertaken by Laidlaw Scholars to open constructive dialogue among students.  

We will be showcasing the research projects undertaken by students through poster presentations. There will be posters on display at the venue from each participating university, and there will be a dedicated time slot for poster viewing in the agenda. 

‘Networking’ opportunities are just a way for you to have specific time to meet each other and talk to new people who may be doing things you’re interested in, or who are interested in you. They don’t have to be dreaded! They are often exciting and surprising conversations you would never have otherwise.

We encourage you to take time to introduce yourself to people, ask questions about something said that you find interesting, share your experience, and think about what connections you might want to carry on after the conference.   

Learning about new projects is a great way to discover what inspired others’ research and the impact their work is making. If this is your first time at the conference, networking can be an excellent source of inspiration for your own work or help you dive deeper into topics that intrigue you. Remember, everyone is here to engage and connect, so don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation. If something is new to you or if you have a question, chances are others around you do too!

Panel discussions are an an opportunity for you to learn more about a range of research that has been conducted by your peers. 

This year, we will host panel discussions on the following topics:

  • Global Health and Healthcare Practices
  • Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice
  • Literature and Ecology, Sustainability and Climate
  • History, Law, Society 
  • Art, Health, Food, Labor: Community-Based Initiatives
  • Mental Health, Neuroscience and Psychosocial Care
  • Education and Health for Children and Youth
  • Biological and Health Sciences Research

While much of the conference will focus on collaboration and discussion, we’re also excited to feature some Speaker Sessions, including our highly anticipated keynote speaker: Professor Jennifer Finney Boylan.

We encourage you to actively participate in these sessions—take notes, ask questions, and reflect on how the ideas presented align with your own leadership journey. Speaker Sessions are not just opportunities to listen but also to engage with new ideas that may shape your approach to leadership and research.

Sunday is dedicated to introducing you to the ethical leadership training facilitated by the Oxford Character Project. These sessions will kickstart your certification journey which you will continue virtually in the months following the conference.

This is a unique opportunity to develop the character traits proven through extensive data studies to be essential for ethical leadership: Purpose, Love, Growth, Humility, and Wisdom. Through workshops, challenges, and personalised reflection, you will gain the insights and tools to make values-driven decisions and lead with integrity in even the most challenging circumstances.

A Collaborative Learning Environment

The Laidlaw Scholars Conference is an interactive, collaborative environment designed to push boundaries and spark new ideas. You may encounter viewpoints that challenge your own, but this is an important part of growth. We encourage everyone to remain respectful and considerate in discussions. If you ever need support or guidance, facilitators will be present in each session to help ensure a constructive conversation.

Above all, come prepared to be curious, share openly, and engage fully with everything the weekend has to offer!