This workshop will launch a multidisciplinary network to unite currently fragmented research on how people perceive, experience and respond to flowers across disciplines such as psychology, horticulture, neuroscience, sociology, food science and the arts.
By consolidating these diverse strands into an integrated scientific community, the workshop aims to pioneer a new interdisciplinary field, bridging the natural, social and behavioural sciences, and positioning Surrey at the forefront of this emerging research area.
The 1st Workshop on Research on Humans’ Response to Flowers will inaugurate a new, multidisciplinary network dedicated to understanding how humans perceive, experience, and respond to flowers. Although research involving flowers appears in many fields: psychology, horticulture, neuroscience, sociology, environmental science, design, art, and anthropology, it remains fragmented and under-recognised. To date, there is no academic journal or international conference dedicated to this theme. Scholars conduct their work in isolation, often unaware of related findings or complementary methodologies across disciplines.
This workshop seeks to pioneer a coherent scientific community around this topic, integrating diverse perspectives to generate shared frameworks and collaborations. Flowers hold unique significance as biological, aesthetic, and cultural artefacts that shape human emotion, cognition, and behaviour. They are central to art, wellbeing, ritual, and environmental sustainability, yet remain scientifically underexplored as a unifying subject. By connecting researchers who study these dimensions separately, the workshop will help define a new interdisciplinary field that bridges the natural, social, and behavioural sciences.
Honey & Balm Bar: During the flower farm visit, Rebecca Beveridge will host an interactive activity and tasting session featuring honeys crafted from various flowers.
With thanks to the British Society of Flavourists for their sponsorship of the ECR Flower Award.
SPEAKERS
Professor Sylvie Baudino, Jean Monnet University, France
Michael Dariane, Blooming Haus, United Kingdom
Dr Martin Hůla, University of California, Santa Barbara
Professor Matt Jones, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Dr Melinda J Knuth, NC State University, United States of America
Michal Kowalski, Blooming Haus, United Kingdom
Erika Oberholzer, PicoGro, South Africa
Professor Miroslav Poje, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dr Hélder Oliveira, University of Porto, Portugal
Jay Thorneycroft, Blooming Haus, United Kingdom
Dr Jill Timms, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
The Keynote Speakers document contains biographies and photos of our keynote speakers.
ORGANISERS
Dr Heber Rodrigues, School of Psychology
Professor Monique Raats, School of Psychology
Dr Jill Timms, Sociology
Professor Lada Timotijevic, School of Psychology
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Please note that this workshop has a limited number of spaces.
Registration closes on Monday 15th June.
Registration Fees:
Registration (Student) £50.00
Registration (Professional) £100.00
Optional: Fee to attend Passion Flower Farm on the evening of 24th June (including dinner and transport) £60
Please note that your registration will only be confirmed once the form below has been submitted and payment has been received via the online store 1st Workshop on Research on Humans' Response to Flowers (24 - 26th June 2026) | Surrey Online Store
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
How to get here | University of Surrey
Abstract submission has now closed.
Notification of outcome: 28th April 2026
Would you like to be considered for the Early Career Award provided by the British Society of Flavourists?
This award is available to PhD students and researchers from Europe who are within 5 years of finishing their PhD. If so, please tick the box: ‘I want to be considered for the ECR Award’. The winner will be expected to write an article for the New Flavourist Magazine and give a talk to the British Society of Flavourists later in 2026