The Royal Society of Biology has partnered with Defra to run a series of plant health workshops

Upcoming events

Plant Health Conference | 12 June 2025 | Zoom

A free online plant health conference, highlighting the ongoing work of emerging and established plant health professionals. The event will include keynote lectures spotlighting cutting-edge topics in potato plant health, as well as expert panel discussions and flash talks from a range of early career scientists.

Previous events

The importance of plant health in One Health | 5 March 2025 | Zoom

Keynote speaker Sarah Brunel, Implementation and Facilitation Unit (IFU) Lead at the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) will be discussing global standards and strategies to mitigate the spread of plant pests and diseases. This will be followed by an opportunity for an audience Q&A and discussion.

Behind the scenes at Kew Gardens | 10 October 2024 | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

An opportunity to visit one of the UK's most important botanical research institutes and engage with experts in plant health.  Participate also had the opportunity to take part in guided tours around the Herbarium, Fungarium and Plant Quarantine Unit. 

Plant Health Conference | 6 June 2024 | Zoom

A free, online conference highlighting the ongoing work of emerging and established plant health professionals. The event included keynote lectures, discussing topics such as the Nagoya Protocol and the importance of best plant health practice in nurseries, as well as expert panel discussions, and flash talks from a range of early career scientists. 

Australia's plant health and biosecurity system | 20 March 2024 | Zoom

How to communicate science, win friends and influence people | 2 February 2024 | Zoom

Visit to the BIFoR FACE facility | 13 September 2023 | Birmingham

An exclusive guided tour around the BIFoR FACE facility, which is the second Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment facility worldwide and the only one in the Northern Hemisphere. Attendees got to visit the Wolfson Advanced Glasshouses and Winterbourne Gardens at the University of Birmingham. 

Plant Health Conference | 25 May 2023 | Read the news story

Managing diseases found in the grapevines and tree crops of California | 29 March 2023 | Read the news story

Showcasing Defra’s R&D Programme | 17 January 2023 | Read the news story

International Standards in Africa | 14 September 2022 | Read the news story

Summer Conference 2022 | 21 June 2022 | Read the news story

GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy | 16 March 2022 | Read the news story

Plant Health Summit for Future Leaders | 2-3 March 2021

Plant Health Professional Development Advisory Group

The initiatives delivered under this grant are supported by a volunteer committee – the Plant Health Professional Development Advisory group. Group members aim to represent a variety of sectors and academics in plant health.

Group membership:

• Jeremy Pritchard (Chair) - University of Birmingham
• Charles Lane - Fera Science Ltd
• Jassy Drakulic - Royal Horticultural Society
• Geraint Parry - Association of Applied Biologists
• Lucy Carson-Taylor - Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Clarinda Burrell - Scottish Forestry
• Mimi Tanimoto - Plant Health Consultant
• Stephanie Godliman - Department of Food, Environment & Rural Affairs
• Alison Wilson - Department of Food, Environment & Rural Affairs
• Gail Preston - University of Oxford