Botanical University Challenge was started in 2016 by three plant-obsessed academics (Dr Jonathan Mitchley (University of Reading), Professor John Warren (University of Aberystwyth) and Professor Paul Ashton (Edge Hill University)). They had become increasingly concerned at the limited opportunities and initiatives for plant-aware students to network together and the consequent feelings of student isolation in the botanical community. So, to champion these students and help bring them together, they developed the first BUC, held on one day in 2016 at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew with 5 teams.
Since 2020, the competition has been held every year and in 2025 involved 31 teams from the UK and Ireland. It occurs over 4 days, initially on-line in February and then live in the summer. Since 2023 it has been followed by the Student Botany Festival. This is open to all participants in the competition and is student-centred to maximise networking
opportunities between different groups of students.
You can read more about the background and evaluation of Botanical University Challenge in The Botanical University Challenge: Bridging isolation and empowering plant-aware students, Plants, People, Planet. volume 4, issue 4, July 2025, Pages 906-919
The BUC Planning Team
Dr Jonathan Mitchley, originator and guiding light. Associate Professor in Field Botany, University of Reading. Website drmgoeswild.com . X as @drmgoeswild ; Instagram as @drmgoeswild ; BlueSky as @drmgoeswild.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus John Warren, originator and question supervisor. Emeritus Vice Chancellor of the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment. X as @John_in_Aber BlueSky @botanyjohninaber.bsky.social
Dr Meriel Jones, social media, newsletter, website, questions and organisation ideas. Honorary Senior Lecturer University of Liverpool. Social media for Botanical University Challenge: X as @BUCBotany ; Instagram & Threads as @botanicalunichallenge ; BlueSky as @bucbotany.bsky.social
Dr Lauren Baker, Secondary Education Officer, Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum.
Dr Nigel Chaffey, questions. Independent plant science communicator. Website Plant Cuttings X as @NChaffey; BlueSky as @plantcuttings.bsky.social
Dr Helen Ougham, questions. Emeritus Reader, Aberystwyth University .
Dr Colin Clubbe, advisor and supporter. Senior Research Leader, Kew. X as @CClubbe
Dr Alastair Culham, question setter and supporter. Associate Professor of Botany and Curator of Reading University Herbarium. X as @BotanyRNG and @RNGHerb.
Dr Sven Batke, organiser and supporter. Senior Lecturer in Plant Science, Edge Hill University. X as @batkesp
Sebastian Stroud, behind the scenes IT. Teaching Fellow in Ecology, University of Leeds. X as @seburbanbotany Insta as @bastastr
Dr Hannah Hall, behind the scenes IT. University of Reading
Jonathan Charmley, behind the scenes IT. BA Archaeology graduate from University of Reading.
SUPPORTERS AND ADVISORS
Dr Susan Medcalf, supporter. Protected Sites Lead Advisor, Natural England. X as @pennymarshwort
Professor Alastair Fitter CBE FRS, advisor and supporter. University of York.
Professor Paul Ashton, originator and supporter. Professor of Botany, Edge Hill University.
Dr Hamish Symington, supporter. Head of Academic Skills, Downing College, University of Cambridge.
For any further questions or more information about BUC2026
contact Dr Jonathan Mitchley
(j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk)
University of Reading