Frequently Asked Questions - 2025 Thinking with Plants and Fungi Conference
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the conference being held?
- The conference is being held May 15-17, 2025, at the Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The conference will take place in the James Room of Swartz Hall, at 45 Francis Avenue, Cambridge, MA. The afternoon of day two, May 16th, will be held at Arnold Arboretum, located at 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130.
What is the theme or focus of the conference?
- This conference convenes scholars from across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences together with artists, culture keepers, and practitioners to explore how plants and fungi help us rethink the nature of mind and matter, and humans’ relationship to the ‘more-than-human' world. In short, how can apprenticing to plant and fungal life transform human life at a time of ecological and social crisis?
Who is the conference for (e.g., specific disciplines, levels of expertise)?
- The conference is for anyone in any discipline and any level of expertise. Speakers will be scholars, practitioners, and arts with expertise in plants, fungi, and their diverse relationships with human beings. We welcome both early-career and emerging scholars, alongside established experts in their field. We also welcome practitioners, artists, activists, and those who have a deep lived relationship to plants and fungi.
What is the official language of the conference?
- All addresses and presentations will be made in English.
Is the conference open to the public?
- Due to space constraints, all participants must register and receive registration confirmation to attend. The conference registration is now full; we are operating a waitlist.
How do I register for the conference?
Please register using the following links:
How do I register for the Arnold Arboretum visit during the Friday, May 16 afternoon portion of the conference?
- Conference participants will register to visit the Arnold Arboretum when they register for the conference. Please note whether you will require transportation to the Arnold Arboretum, which is provided
What are the registration fees, and are there any discounts (e.g., student, early bird)?
Attendance at the conference is free.
What is the cancellation policy?
- Registered participants who must cancel their conference attendance are asked to do as soon as possible, no later than one week before the conference commences. This will allow for waitlisted registrants to join. You may cancel your conference registration by emailing plants@hds.harvard.edu.
Are there options for virtual participation?
- Individuals can register to view conference proceedings remotely using this livestream registration link. Recordings of the conference will be posted on the Thinking with Plants and Fungi Initiative website after the conference concludes.
Are there special rates for accommodation near the conference venue?
- Yes, special rates are available at local hotels where room blocks have been reserved for conference participants. Please find those hotels on the “Logistics” page of the conference website.
How do I get to the conference venue?
- The conference is being held in the James Room within Swartz Hall of the Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The address is 45 Francis Avenue. The James Room can be accessed via several doors of Swartz Hall. We will post signs and have greeters at each door.
How do I get to the Arnold Arboretum during the Friday, May 16th afternoon portion of the conference?
- Transportation from the Harvard Divinity School to the Arnold Arboretum on Friday, May 16, will be provided via chartered shuttle buses for those who request it via the in-person registration form. Conference participants are also welcome to opt for their own, alternative means of transport to the Arnold Arboretum, located at 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130.
Are there any travel grants or financial assistance available?
- All accepted submissions to present at the conference will be awarded a $1,000 stipend. We do not have funding to support travel of non-presenting attendees.
Do international participants need a visa, and where can I get an invitation letter?
- We are happy to provide a formal invitation letter to support visa applications. Please email plants@hds.harvard.edu to request a letter.
When will the detailed conference program be available?
The full conference program is available on the Program page.
Will there be keynote speakers, and who are they?
- The conference will include several keynote speakers: Merlin Sheldrake, Giuliana Furci, Emanuele Coccia, Banu Subramaniam, Monica Gagliano, and Jessica J. Lee.
What is the format of the sessions (e.g., panels, workshops, roundtables)?
- The conference will consist of keynote speakers and panels of two to three presenters.
Will the conference offer hybrid or virtual options?
Yes, the conference will be live-streamed. Please register for remote participation to receive the Zoom links.
Will sessions be recorded?
The conference will be recorded and be shared on the Thinking with Plants and Fungi Initiative website.
What are the technical requirements for presenters (e.g., PowerPoint format, video file types)?
- Presenters are welcome (but do not have to) to use slides in one of the following formats: PowerPoint (preferred), Keynote, and PDF. Presenters are asked to provide their slides to conference organizers by May 12.
What accessibility accommodations are available at the venue? How can I request special assistance (e.g., dietary requirements, sign language interpreters)?
- Swartz Hall is ADA compliant. The James Room is accessible via an elevator for those who need it. If you wish to request accessibility accommodations or other special assistance, please write plants@hds.harvard.edu.
Will accessible tours be provided during the Friday, May 16, afternoon portion of the conference at the Arnold Arboretum?
- Yes, the Arnold Arboretum will provide a guided tour for those with mobility considerations.
Banner image © Maya Karkalicheva.