Shaping the Plant Synthetic Biology Community: A Dual Launch Event

📍 Centrum, Norwich Research Park & Online
🗓 Monday, 15 June
🕒 13:30 – 16:30

Join us for the launch of a new initiative shaping the future of plant synthetic biology.

This event marks the release of the first Relational Map of the field - designed as both a navigational tool and a catalyst for collaboration,as well as the announcement of the Synthetic Plant Community Observatory, a new cross-sector network supporting dialogue on the social, ethical, and policy dimensions of scientifically enhanced plants.

Part of the ARIA-funded project Futuring Biological Commons (https://research.kent.ac.uk/futuringcommons/), this effort aims to foster constructive public conversation and support responsible innovation in engineering biology. By bringing together scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, farmers, and publics, the project strengthens the research ecosystem and promotes informed, inclusive engagement with emerging technologies.

We are inviting contributors from across disciplines to help expand and deepen this work. In particular, we welcome perspectives that can help position the Observatory not just as a knowledge platform, but as a community-building infrastructure.

Speakers will also be asked to reflect on a guiding question:
What should, and could, a Synthetic Plant Community Observatory 'observe'?

Whether you attend in person or online, this is an opportunity to be part of shaping an emerging field and its future.

For enquiries, please email

Programme:

Welcome

• Roz Bird – Chief Executive Officer, Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP
• Joy Y. Zhang – Principal Investigator, Futuring Biological Commons, University of Kent

Speakers

• Oliver Pritchard Moore – Lead Author, Relational Map of Plant Synthetic Biology in the UK, University of Kent
• Danielle Hamm – Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics
• Keith Lindsey – Professor of Plant Molecular Biology, Durham University
• Michael Lewis - County Durham farmer
• Penny Hundleby – Research Partnerships & HP3 Hub Lead, John Innes Centre & The Sainsbury Laboratory
• Pat Thomas - Director, Beyond GM
• Sarah Calcutt – Non-Executive Directors, Rural Payments Agency; Outfield Technologies
• Jon Williams – Public & Government Affairs Manager, BASF Agricultural Solutions (UK & Ireland)

Chairs

• Julian Little, Expert consultant, Futuring Biological Commons; Public Affairs Lead, Anglia Innovation Partnership LLP
• Liz Rylott, Co-Investigator, Futuring Biological Commons, University of York

*We thank ARIA for the financial support of this project and for Norwich Research Park for hosting this event.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, United Kingdom

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