Welcome to the study of ethnobotany, the relationship between people and plants. This course offers an introduction in the academic field of ethnobotany, the study that looks at the relationship between people, plants and culture. Ethnobotany researches such fascinating topics as, how do human cultures relate to plants for food, medicine, clothes, buildings and meaning making? You could describe it as anthropology with plants – it has a lot of overlap with both anthropology and botany or biology.

The course is loosely based on the MSc Ethnobotany at the University of Kent, England.

 Documenting and reviving traditional knowledge in collaboration with indigenous peoples is essential for the earth and humanity. We are losing precious biodiversity and cultural diversity at a fast rate, and both need our protection. In addition, traditional knowledge can offer us solutions for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable food production, new medicines and much more.