There is something underfoot. They were not there recently. Yet, seemingly overnight, they sprouted up above the surface and forced the world to notice. The mushrooms are here, and they are having a moment.
The purpose of this symposium is to bring together fungal experts from social science, humanities, and natural science disciplines, as well as artists, professionals, and members of the interested public from Finland, the Nordics, and beyond to explore how we may produce mushroom knowledge, and for what purposes. To do so, we ask the following questions:
How has interacting with mushrooms changed the way researchers think about their work/research area, or the values and objectives of their research/work?
What, if anything, can fungi teach us about creating a healthier, more sustainable world? Conversely what potential dangers may ‘the mushroom hype’ pose?
Can we do research not on, but with mushrooms? Can we learn from mushrooms, not just about mushrooms? What would be the value of such a shift?
How do human-fungi relations matter to different groups of people and in different places? In what ways are fungi relevant to Finland, the Nordics, and the wider world?
How does mushroom-oriented research and social activity link with climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental toxicity, and other challenges related to the ‘Anthropocene’?
Responses