The Plants @ Otago workshop hosted by the Department of Botany was attended by 48 scientists and students from the University of Otago and associated research entities. 21 scientists from 11 departments showcased their plant related research. We saw a vast range of work presented from the fields of ecology, cultural involvement, applied physiology, plant genetics and protein analysis to name but a few.

This inaugural workshop was a great networking opportunity and a successful event for the new research cluster. In an open discussion participants decided to hold a “PLANTS @ OTAGO” workshop once a year and to further expand the networking nationally and internationally. For a continuous presence of the research cluster, involved departments will host at least one of their departmental seminars throughout the year under the category of PLANTS  @ OTAGO.

The programme, a summary of the presentations and a list of participants, including contact emails, will shortly be available in pdf format.

Thanks to all participants for their support, to the student helpers on the day and the Department of Botany for funding and hosting the event.

Are you interested in Plants or research related to Plants?

As the only University Botany Department left in New Zealand we would like to foster relationships with other researchers at the University of Otago who also have an interest in Plants. We see ourselves as being in a unique position and are looking to develop new collaborations that will help cement the reputation of the University of Otago as the leading University in New Zealand for plant-related research.

We invite researchers to register their interest in a one-day workshop named "PLANTS @ OTAGO". The Botany Department will organise and fund the event, although any further support is welcomed. This workshop will provide the opportunity for anyone working on plant-related research to showcase their research. Our invitation is general; we welcome not only researchers working on living and fossil plants, but also those who work on other organisms (e.g. vertebrates, invertebrates, bacteria, viruses, fungi) where the research is plant-related. We encourage researchers to present their plant-related work as applied in not only the life sciences but also in research undertaken in the health sciences, business and humanities.

The workshop will be held during the 2011 mid-year break:
Wednesday 8th June 2011.

Those who register their interest will be advised of a venue once numbers are finalised. We envisage that there will be a number of short presentations outlining the research interests of those attending, followed by an afternoon breakout session. The workshop is intended to form the platform for the creation of a Plants @ Otago Research Group, from which we hope fresh collaborations will result, and a more definite and visible identity for plant-related research at the University of Otago will be established.

If you need any further information, please contact Dr Katja Schweikert at the Department of Botany, 464 Great King Street (ext. 9061).

Registration details and deadlines

  • Please register your interest by emailing Katja Schweikert with Plants @ Otago in the Subject Line.

  • Registration deadline for talks is April 7, 2011. Final registration deadline for attending is May 23.

  • The workshop will be held during the 2011 mid-year break:
    Wednesday 8th June 2011.

Download the Plants at Otago flyer (pdf)

 

 

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