Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden hosts a Festival of Plants in May that provides the public with an opportunity to explore the diversity of flora and also find out how this important resource contributes to scientific plant research locally and globally.

We presented accessible activities to explain some of our research goals and how they might impact on society.

Through taking time to explain and discuss our projects at events such as this, people feel more confident to take a positive interest in the process and potential outcomes. It also gives us an opportunity to hear people’s thoughts on our research goals that we can then reflect upon.