Curious about how plants shape our future – and how our perception of them shapes us?
Join us for PlantLink Day 2025: From Blindness to Awareness – Plant Research and Communication for a Greener Future, where leading voices in research, innovation, and communication will gather to explore the role of plants in building a more resilient and sustainable world.
Despite being the foundation of our food systems, climate regulation, and ecosystems, plants are still frequently overlooked in research and public awareness. PlantLink Day 2025 will highlight how plant science and effective communication can help shift this perspective.
The program brings together researchers and experts to discuss recent advances in plant biology, food resilience, and sustainability, alongside strategies to counteract “plant blindness” and strengthen agricultural resilience.
The day will feature inspiring talks, discussions, and opportunities to connect across disciplines.
When: 4 December, 12:00-16:30
Where: Blå hallen, Ekologihuset, Lund University
Registration deadline: 27 November (later registrations by email: anna.manourova@slu.se)
Programme:
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch and mingle |
| 13:00-13:10 | Introduction & welcome – Olivier Van Aken, Lund University |
| 13:10-13:15 | Anabella Aguilera, SciLifeLab & Lund University – How SciLifeLab can support plant researchers: Resources for molecular biosciences at all scales |
| 13:15-13:40 | Roman Ulm, Université de Genève: Seeing the invisible – UV-B perception and signalling in plants |
| 13:40-14:05 | Fernando Geu-Flores, University of Copenhagen: Making bitter lupins sweet |
| 14:05-14:25 | Jeanette Purhagen, Cecilia Tullberg, Lund University: FORCE: Centre for Food Resilience and Competitiveness |
| 14:25-14:50 | Coffee Break |
| 14:50-15:05 | Annie Drottberger, SLU: SLU and Sparbanken Skåne Centre for Sustainable Primary Production |
| 15:05-15:30 | Dawn Sanders, University of Gothenburg: Beyond Plant Blindness – using art-based methods to explore human attention to plants |
| 15:30-15:55 | Louise Isager Ahl, Copenhagen University: The art of the plant sciences – a cell wall perspective on plant awareness |
| 15:55-16:30 | Panel discussion on how to improve plant blindness/agricultural resilience? Moderator – Carin Jarl-Sunesson, LU |
| 16:30 | Mingle with refreshments |
Come for the science, stay for the discussions, and leave with new perspectives on how plants can inspire a greener future!
