Award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer.
In October 2022 Laura began her PhD between the University of Abertay and the University of Dundee as a Hydro Nations Scholar in climate resilience work. To see her full project please visit this webpage.
She has a First Class honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, and a Masters with Distinction in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh.
As part of her studies she spent a year at the University of Guelph, Canada, before setting off to complete her dissertation working on mangrove projects in Akumal, Mexico.
Laura regularly speaks in the media, bringing her expertise into conversations about climate, waste, sustainable fashion, and environmental justice issues. You can hear her regularly on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio 5Live, and on television on the BBC, STV, and Sky News, as well as other media outlets and platforms.
Speaking engagements, online and in-person, have been a core part of Laura’s work, from her TEDx Talk to schools, conferences, and working with the private sector. She works with businesses of all sizes from independent local shops through to global brands such as Volkswagen, Lush, Boots, Bin Twinning, and the Scottish Government.
Based in Scotland, Laura previously worked for the international development charity Tearfund as the COP26 Coordinator and “Let’s Change The Climate” programme manager and is now an ambassador. She has a wide variety of voluntary positions, in the Scottish Wildlife Trust Young Leaders, Marine Conservation Society Youth Ocean Network, and 2050 Climate Group.
Seeking to bring younger voices into influential spaces, she also sits on a variety of boards and advisory committees. Since the beginning of 2021 she has sat on the Public Theology Group for the Baptist Union of Scotland, Diamonds Scotland’s board of trustees, is a recent graduate of the Evangelical Alliance Scottish Public Leaders, and took part in the Christians in Media pilot mentorship programme.
Laura’s social media platforms continue to grow, creating a community of activists. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube all under @LessWasteLaura. She was recently awarded the Scottish Influencer of the Year – Inspiration for her work.
