Decolonising Plant Knowledge: Thinking around ‘Rau’

A series of seminars at Cambridge explores botanical knowledge and Indigenous perspectives, available online – opening 15 October 2025

Published on 15 October 2025 | News

The seminar series “Decolonising Plant Knowledge: Thinking around ‘Rau’” launches today at Cambridge, organised by the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge. The initiative addresses the decolonisation of botanical knowledge, highlighting how colonial history has shaped the production, classification, and dissemination of knowledge about plants.

The series, entirely in English, runs from 15 October to 19 November 2025 and is available online. It offers interdisciplinary approaches to rethinking the relationship between science, environment, and society, while valuing Indigenous and local perspectives. The term “Rau”, in Indigenous Amazonian cultures, refers to plants that confer power, knowledge, and shamanic capacities, going beyond purely nutritional or medicinal uses.

The first seminar will take place on 15 October 2025. Participation is free, but registration is required to receive the online access link.

For more information, visit the CRASSH website.