According to the researchers, the decline in botany content across biology degrees has left many plant-aware students feeling disconnected from the broader scientific community. Plants are recognised as having an essential role in tackling global challenges, yet urbanisation and other factors have reduced engagement with plants and botany, decreasing awareness, especially among students.
The Botanical University Challenge (BUC) was set up by the University of Reading in 2016 and is now Europe’s largest botanical contest. Annual competitions have been held at the University of Oxford, Kew Gardens, and the University of Nottingham. As well as intellectual stimulation the quiz was designed to foster community amongst students and equip them with skills to tackle environmental challenges.
Dr Jonathan Mitchley from University of Reading, a co-founder of the competition, explained: “We launched Botanical University Challenge in 2016 after recognising a decline in botanical skills including plant identification skills among our students. To see it grow into such a dynamic force for botanical education demonstrates the vital role this initiative now plays in developing the next generation of botanists.”
Published in Plants, People, Planet (February 2025), the study was conducted by a team of botanists and educators, to reveal profound benefits of engaging students in interactive and competitive learning experiences centred around plant biology.
The researchers found that by combining competitive quizzes with professional development opportunities, the program successfully addresses student isolation while building crucial skills. Results from the study showed that 96.6% of participants reported increased botanical knowledge and expanded professional networks, while 91.4% discovered new career opportunities through the program.
In 2024, a total of 126 students from 28 institutions competed in the online heats of the challenge, before 85 competitors took part in the finals held at Queens College Oxford, in August 2024. Its success has sparked similar contests internationally, showcasing BUC’s broad appeal and potential to elevate botany globally.
For the 2025 BUC, a record 31 teams will compete, starting with the first round on the 12th of February. Round 2 takes place on the 19th of February. The Quarter Finals will take place on the 26th of February – Semi Finals and Final will take place in August. All rounds can be watched, live, on the Botanical University Challenge Youtube channel.
Reference: ‘The Botanical University Challenge: Bridging isolation and empowering plant-aware students‘ by Hall, H., Stroud, S., Culham, A., Clubbe, C., Batke, S., Medcalf, S., Jones, M. G., Baker, L., Lydon, S., McGale, E., Acedo, C., Charmley, J., Warren, J. M., & Mitchley, J. (Plants, People, Planet, 2025).