It's been a while since we shared a profile, meet Poppy Isabella Nana-Akua Sarpong Cann. She is a master's student at The University of Bristol studying Abiotic Plant Signalling and was part of the first cohort of BiPS Summer Studentship Awardees in 2024. Learn more about her here: buff.ly/XNjaB2s
We are finally pleased to announce this year's Research Excellence Award winners: Sibongile Zimba (University of Bristol) and Ousmane Dao (University of York).
Both of our winners have exhibited impressive contributions to plant science and you can learn more about them here: buff.ly/qo1WJqw
Only one week left to apply for the 2026 BiPS Summer Studentship which is proven to help you on your next steps.
If you're still not sure if this is for you - why not check out the host labs on our website: buff.ly/b4jmAe2
In October 2026 we held our second Black in Plant Science (BiPS) Conference at the University of Leeds.
We asked the members of our community why BiPS is important to them, and here is what they had to say: buff.ly/OClLBP3
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this video.
Applications now open for Summer Studentships 2026!
Successful applicants will be:
🌿In receipt of £504.38 per week for a studentship period of up to 6 weeks
🌿Invited to write a blog for the BiPS website
🌿Invited to attend and present at the next BiPS Conference
Apply here: bit.ly/4qf2ZDG
Everyone’s a Seed - Celebration Event
We are happy to join our partners in inviting you to join them in celebrating amazing community poets from Leeds and Bradford and the publication of the Everyone’s a Seed poetry Anthology.
🕑10am
📍SHINE Community Centre in Harehills
Register: buff.ly/ymA80wl
If you would like to be considered please submit your expression of interest & a question focused on science policy (rather than detailed scientific topics) via the online form by 28th January: buff.ly/GXrHrn3
Candidates must be available to travel to London on Thursday 19 March 2026.
We are strongly encouraging projects in the area of Physics of Life, in alignment with our partnership with PoLNET. If your lab has a project in this area, we'd love for you to share your projects so that we can match the successful student with the right lab. Learn more: buff.ly/bE9djQK
At Black in Plant Science celebrating excellence is one of main pillars. So if you would like to apply or nominate anyone, applications are now open. We are looking for Black Heritage Early Career Researchers, if this is you, or someone you know, then please don't hesitate to apply! buff.ly/RrP7DM9
Happy New Year!! 🎉
We're pleased to be back with some exciting new opportunities which we will be sharing in the coming weeks.
We are again inviting host labs to share their projects for our 2026 BiPS Summer Studentships.
Head to our website for more details: buff.ly/g6vAJmM
Profile Spotlight: Dr. Crispus Mbaluto is a Senior Research Officer, at the School Life Sciences, University of Essex, UK. Head to our website to learn more about how the spirit of “why not give it a try” has propelled Crispus throughout his career.https://buff.ly/TtIxUya
Profile Spotlight: George Washington Carver. In this guest article written by Fatima Arshad we share reflections on George Washington Carver's contributions to regenerative agriculture and sustainability. Read more here: buff.ly/73wJWuP
The Black in Plant Science Conference 2025!
It's been just a little over a month since the biggest date in our calendar and what a day it was. Thank you to everyone who took part and we look forward to seeing you again next time! Read more here: buff.ly/Q5hJdWp
🪧 Upcoming Opportunities!
We recently updated our website with some exciting opportunities.
From scholarships specifically for Black students to PhD programmes across the country there are an incredible number of options.
Head to our website for more details: buff.ly/uVvFtBk
📢Speaker Announcement: Jessica Ashman
🧾Panel: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
Jessica Ashman is a Jamaican British interdisciplinary artist, based in London. Her practice is informed by the hidden histories of the Black British Jamaican diaspora communities.
Learn more: buff.ly/sFFQC8y
📢Speaker Announcement: Dr Christine Eyene
🧾Panel: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
Christine Eyene is an art historian, critic and curator. She is Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art at Liverpool John Moores University.
Learn more about Christine and register here: buff.ly/jWhjAei
📢Speaker Announcement: CARGO Movement
🧾Panel: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
CARGO is a not for profit organisation founded in 2016 by creative director Charles Golding and Poet Lawrence Hoo.
Learn more about CARGO Movement and register here: buff.ly/jWhjAei
📢You have until this Sunday evening to register for the Black in Plant Science Conference 2025!
Join us for an unforgettable day of connection and celebration and hear from some of the leading plant enthusiasts from the UK and beyond.
Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1362997455...
📢Speaker Announcement: Jade Bleau
🧾Panel: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
Jade Bleau, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the University of Dundee/James Hutton Institute.
Learn more about Jade and register here: buff.ly/jWhjAei
We are so honoured that we are hosting our second Black in Plant Science Conference which wouldn't be possible without our incredible sponsors:
@TheGatsbyFoundation
@SEB
@JohnInnesCentre
@UniversityofLeeds
@GrowMoreFoundation
@NewPhytologist
@ThePlantJournal
@BioImaging UK and @PhysicsofLife
📢Panel Announcement: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
Join us for an inspiring and educational panel exploring the profound connections between plants, people, and the powerful legacy of Black botanists throughout history and today.
Register here: buff.ly/D0t0mgb
📢Deadlines fast approaching for the BiPS Conference 2025!
Join us for a day of connection and celebration where we'll be hearing from the renowned academics Nicola Patron and Kevin Cox. With workshops on a variety of topics and a chance for you to build your community.
Register: buff.ly/J9PM0Wj
📢Speaker Announcement: Katharine Hubbard
🧾Workshop: Culturally Sensitive Mentoring
Dr Katharine Hubbard is a leading expert in areas including equity within HE, awarding gaps, effective pedagogies within STEM subjects and career support for education focussed academics.
Learn more: buff.ly/huckAbw
📢Speaker Announcement: Chloe Lewis
🧾Workshop: Culturally Sensitive Mentoring
Chloe Lewis is the founder and Programme Director of The Catalyst Collective, an organisation that pairs Black teenage girls with Black women mentors for high impact mentoring experiences. Learn more: buff.ly/huckAbw
📢Workshop Announcement: Culturally Sensitive Mentoring
Chaired by Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso alongside Dr Katharine Hubbard and Chloe Lewis this interactive workshop equips mentors with the tools to engage meaningfully across cultures.
To find out more, head to our website: buff.ly/huckAbw
🌿 Calling All Undergrads!
Black in Plant Science Conference 2025 - Friday 24 September
- 🤝 Meet fellow students & researchers
- 🎤 Hear from inspiring speakers
- 🍃 Build your academic and social community
- 🎓 Student Fee: £15
🔗 Register Here: buff.ly/cdIr29N
📢Speaker Announcement: Lisa-Dionne Morris
🧾Workshop: Working beyond academia, different routes
Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris is a distinguished UK-based Black female leader who is transforming the landscape of leadership, equity, and diversity in academia & beyond.
Learn more here: buff.ly/sFFQC8y
📢Speaker Announcement: Brian Chimzinga
🧾Workshop: Working beyond academia, different routes
Brian is a crop scientist and certified seed inspector specialising in cereals and pulses, currently working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Learn more and register here: buff.ly/sFFQC8y
🌿 Thinking of joining the Black in Plant Science Conference but worried about cost? Don’t be! 💸
This conference is intentionally affordable — because access to science, community, and opportunity shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag.
🔗 buff.ly/smf8LAP
📅 Friday 24 October
📍 University of Leeds
📢Speaker Announcement: Bharat Pokhrel
🧾Workshop: Working beyond academia, different routes
Dr Bharat Pokhrel is a Research Development Manager, where he supports the development of large-scale research and innovation proposals in engineering and physical sciences. Learn more here: buff.ly/XYpRIHy