The Oxford SDG Impact Lab

Can the “thrill of driving” be measured?
We are extremely excited to launch our collaboration with Polestar exploring how electric driving performance is experienced — and how it might influence trust, behaviour change, and modern driving adoption.
Bringing together researchers across psychology, neuroscience, engineering, and social science, the project combines desk research with real-world field testing to explore the connection between performance, emotion, and sustainable mobility.
The pilot will help shape evidence-based recommendations and proof points around performance-based modern driving experience, while laying the groundwork for wider future research.
A big thank you as well to our equipment partner ANT Neuro for supporting the project with state-of-the-art equipment and training.

Next stop: field testing in Sweden

No one has ever measured the thrill of driving. Together with the SDG Impact Lab at the University of Oxford, we’re going to try.

We’ll explore whether the thrill of driving can be scientifically observed, analysed, and decoded.
The initiative brings together researchers from Engineering Science and Experimental Psychology to study what happens in the brain and body behind the wheel.

The research begins this summer.

Read more: https://plstr.car/polestar_oxford

A very special evening in Berlin celebrating Nico Rosberg and this well-deserved recognition at the German-British Freundship Award.

Dr Susann Stritzke joined on behalf of The Oxford SDG Impact Lab, and it was a lovely moment to reflect on the importance of building bridges across cultures, ideas and communities.

Nico’s journey from Formula 1 World Champion to entrepreneur and sustainability champion has been a real source of inspiration for our students and the wider SDG Impact Lab community. Through our collaboration with Nico and Rosberg Philanthropies, Oxford graduate students have explored projects from ocean clean-up to sustainable fan travel in F1 and carbon capture — always encouraged by Nico’s passion, enthusiasm and hands-on mentality.

We’re very grateful for this collaboration and already looking forward to the next exciting projects ahead.

Congratulations again, Nico.

📣 Call for Community Partners | Summer 2026

Does your organisation have a question, challenge, or evidence gap you’d love to explore — but limited time or capacity to do the research?

The Community Impact Lab at the The Oxford SDG Impact Lab, University of Oxford is inviting charities, social enterprises, education organisations, and community groups across Oxfordshire to partner on applied research projects this summer.

🗓 29 June – 7 August 2026
🤝 Work with small teams of highly selected Oxford Laidlaw Scholars
🎓 Supported by a dedicated graduate Impact Advisor
💡 No fully formed research question needed
🔁 Open to new partners and Phase 2 projects
📊 Practical, high-quality research you can actually use
If your organisation could benefit from focused research capacity, fresh perspectives, and structured academic support, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Apply here: https://www.sdglab.uk/news/drive-change-us-become-community-impact-lab-partner

The deadline for submission of the Expression of Interest form is 7 March 2026.

Please share with organisations and networks who might be interested!

Leadership doesn’t always announce itself. Often, it’s shaped quietly, through unfamiliar places, new responsibilities, and moments that stretch you beyond what feels comfortable.

For Maisie Angus (2024 Oxford Laidlaw Scholar), that came through her Leadership in Action experience in Kerala. Working alongside women’s artisan organisations, she stepped into real-world challenges that required , confidence, and care, not just theory.

“My Leadership in Action experience as a CraftHER Scholar pushed me into new and exciting directions. I worked with women's artisan organisations in Kerala, developed weekly consulting presentations, and designed a family-centred Keralan craft-kit business concept. Navigating cultural and language differences helped me grow in confidence and reshaped how I understand leadership and social enterprise.”

Maisie’s reflection speaks to a defining thread across this year’s cohort: as something learned in motion. Shaped by context, grounded in , and built through experience rather than certainty. It’s about learning with others, building trust, and growing into responsibility when there’s no ready-made path to follow.

Entering the final days for 2026 Cohort applications.
➡️ Find out more and apply: https://www.sdglab.uk/programme/laidlaw-scholarship-programme
⏰ Deadline: 12.00 (UK) on 6 February 2026

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of scholars ✨

The Oxford SDG Impact Lab | The Oxford Character Project | ODID - Oxford Department of International Development | Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford | Social Sciences Division, University of Oxford | University of Oxford

Leadership isn’t fixed. It moves with , context, and trust.

For Kaito Bremner (2024 Oxford Laidlaw Scholar), that realisation came through his Leadership in Action experience, where leadership wasn’t something one person held, but something a shared and adapted together.

“My Leadership in Action project with TRACC in Malaysia transformed how I understand teamwork and leadership. Each dive involved a new team and a different person taking the lead. I realised that leadership can be shared, adaptive, and shaped by the environment you are working in, rather than defined by a single individual.”

Kaito’s reflection captures a defining feature of the programme: learned in motion, shaped by real conditions, and grounded in , not control.

Applications for the 2026 Cohort are closing soon.
➡️ Find out more and apply: https://www.sdglab.uk/programme/laidlaw-scholarship-programme
⏰ Deadline: 12.00 (UK) on 6 February 2026

Laidlaw Foundation | The Oxford SDG Impact Lab | The Oxford Character Project | ODID - Oxford Department of International Development | Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford | Social Sciences Division, University of Oxford | University of Oxford

✨ Seven reasons to become an Oxford Laidlaw Scholar.

The Oxford Scholars Programme combines funded , leadership development, and hands-on with communities and globally.

It’s a chance to explore what matters to you, grow as a leader, and be part of a network committed to ethical and positive change.

Applications for the 2026 Cohort are open.
➡️ Find out more and apply: https://www.sdglab.uk/progr.../laidlaw-scholarship-programme
⏰ Deadline: 12.00 (UK) on 6 February 2026

📍 Programme Q&A
Oxford SDG Impact Lab (Albion House)
21 January 2026, 16:00–18:00 (UK)
https://www.sdglab.uk/progr.../laidlaw-scholarship-programme
Limited spaces, RSVP required

Laidlaw Foundation | The Oxford SDG Impact Lab | The Oxford Character Project | ODID - Oxford Department of International Development | Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford | Social Sciences Division, University of Oxford | University of Oxford

isn’t always about having the right answer. Sometimes it’s about asking better questions of yourself.

For Luke Liang (2024 Oxford Laidlaw Scholar), his Leadership in Action shaped how he thinks about positionality, responsibility, and what it means to lead ethically in contexts.

“Working with the Toronto Chinatown Land Trust pushed me to reflect deeply on my own positionality and responsibilities. Supporting their work showed me that responsible leadership requires constant self-examination, honesty about your assumptions, and a willingness to adapt your approach in response to community needs.”

Luke’s reflection speaks to a core theme of the programme: leadership grounded in listening, humility, and accountability, not certainty.

Applications for the 2026 Cohort are open.
➡️ Find out more and apply: https://www.sdglab.uk/programme/laidlaw-scholarship-programme
⏰ Deadline: 12.00 (UK) on 6 February 2026

📍 Programme Q&A
Oxford SDG Impact Lab (Albion House)
21 January 2026, 16:00–18:00 (UK)
https://www.sdglab.uk/programme/laidlaw-scholarship-programme
Limited spaces, RSVP required

Laidlaw Foundation | The Oxford SDG Impact Lab | The Oxford Character Project | ODID - Oxford Department of International Development | Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford | Social Sciences Division, University of Oxford | University of Oxford