Laidlaw Scholars Eligibility and Expectations

Katie McMurphy working with Ghanaian locals during her research trip.

Eligibility

The program is open to Tufts undergraduate students, preferably in their sophomore year. Students must be able to commit to two consecutive summers, while enrolled as an undergraduate Students are not permitted to count the summer following their graduation as the second summer. Faculty mentors must be Tufts faculty, and can come from any of the University’s schools.

Other faculty who are interested in becoming mentors for the Laidlaw Scholars program should contact the program at laidlaw.scholars@tufts.edu.

Expectations

All students are required to sign a commitment form at the time of submitting their application. In order to be eligible for program funding, scholars must commit to the following:

• Pursue their research project during the first summer, a five to six week commitment
• During the second summer, undertake an immersive leadership experience lasting six weeks. There will be a number of options to choose. Specific details will be available nearer the time as options change annually.
• Attend all leadership development activities in person, or, if not possible due to the research experience or COVID restrictions, attend remotely
• Actively participate in the research day at the conclusion of each research summer and produce a poster, presentation, and research paper which can be used to explain their research project to different audiences
• At the conclusion of the second summer, write a report or three minute video on the overall learning and leadership outcomes from the experience as a scholar
• Produce a submission for the My Tufts Story Video Contest
• Serve as an ambassador of the program
• Keep the central Laidlaw Program informed of career developments in future years via the Laidlaw Network website

Schedule of Mandatory Events for the 2023 Cohort

Plearn Aroonchote doing in-field research at the Queen Sirikit Dam in Thailand with dam staff.