London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Where and what did you study before joining LSHTM?

Before joining LSHTM, I studied Biomedical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, where I chose to specialise in Infectious Diseases during my honours year.

What barriers have you faced during your education?

To support living costs during my undergraduate degree, I undertook consistent employment, often working late evenings alongside my studies. This meant passing up several unpaid roles and shadowing opportunities in the industry due to financial constraints.

Within academic and social circles, I also navigated environments in which I didn’t always feel represented as a gay man. Together, these challenges contributed to periods of high pressure, where I had to learn to balance academic performance, work and wellbeing. I often relied on peer communities, which helped me develop an early awareness of how access and opportunity can differ between students.

How have the barriers you’ve faced shaped your academic and personal development?

As a result of these barriers, I have developed strong time-management skills and the ability to work well under pressure, becoming adept at balancing multiple responsibilities. I have also grown in confidence when advocating for myself and others, both academically and socially.

These experiences encouraged me to build strong connections with peers as a support system, deepening my understanding of inequalities in access and opportunity. They have given me a renewed appreciation of the importance of community and social connection, which I believe are just as important as academic achievement.

What advice would you give to someone to help them overcome a similar challenge?

Reach out to both peers and academic staff. There are always resources available and, in many cases, a little support and a strong sense of community can go a long way.

As a scholarship recipient, how would you describe the impact this has had on you?

The scholarship has had a huge impact on my experience. It allowed me to uproot my life and move to London to pursue my MSc, something that would not have been possible otherwise.

Because of this support, I have been able to fully commit to my studies and contribute to the wider LSHTM community. I have taken on the role of Social Chair for the MSc Control of Infectious Diseases course, working with peers to build a strong sense of community and support throughout what is a challenging but rewarding year. The scholarship has given me the freedom to make the most of both the academic and social opportunities at LSHTM.

Many of our scholarships are kindly funded through philanthropy – what message would you like to share with someone considering contributing to our scholarship programme?

I would say thank you for considering it; it genuinely makes a meaningful difference. It allows students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study at LSHTM to fully engage with the course and contribute to the community, while setting them up for future success.

What has surprised you about LSHTM?

The sense of community. Everyone is incredibly friendly, open, and willing to share advice, whether staff or peers. The support I’ve experienced here has been second to none, and the connections and friendships I’ve built will stay with me for life.

What are your plans for after your MSc degree?

I hope to pursue a career within a health NGO. A particular passion I have developed during my time at LSHTM is health in humanitarian settings, and ideally, I would like to work in this area to support communities most affected by inequitable healthcare access and disease risk.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying for your programme and/or the Next Generation scholarship at LSHTM?

My advice would be to go for it. I was uncertain about my own application, but I am very glad I applied. The process allows you to share more about your experiences and perspective, which are genuinely valued.

For the application itself, take your time, be honest, and stay focused. Be clear about your motivations for attending LSHTM and how the scholarship will support you in reaching them.

• More student blogs on widening participation.
• Explore how the LSHTM Scholarship Fund is shaping the future of the next generation of global health leaders.
• Learn more about MSc Control of Infectious Diseases at LSHTM.