Format: ORAL

Navarro Prieto, Francisco Javier

Department of Philosophy, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

In the realm of plant sciences, both classical and contemporary experiments have unveiled a level of complexity in plant behavior surpassing conventional perceptions held by the general public. Beyond their fundamental ecological roles, plants exhibit intricate behaviors akin to those observed in higher animals. Positioned as scholars within the academic sphere, we bear the responsibility of disseminating this knowledge widely throughout society. This dissemination contributes significantly to the evolution of our shared civic epistemologiesthe processes through which knowledge is cultivated and authenticated within a given society, ultimately influencing public engagement and decision-making. This oral presentation, framed under the overarching theme of Plants and Society, showcases recent educational initiatives that effectively mitigate students cultural blindness towards plants. Commencing with an exploration of its historical context, I will introduce the concept of plant blindnessa term coined in 1999 by botanists and educators James Wandersee and Elizabeth Schussler. Subsequently, an examination of civic epistemologies in the context of plants will ensue, drawing insights from the scholarly contributions of Sheila Jasanoff. The presentation will proceed to scrutinize three experiments in higher education (Brenner, 2017; Bonser et al., 2013; Nyberg y Sanders, 2013). Leveraging common technologies such as smartphones, these experiments have demonstrated efficacy in heightening students' awareness of plant behavior and ecological significance. Following this, I will contemplate the implications of these experiments in challenging preconceived civic epistemologies. Additionally, a conclusive sociological study by Katherine Mach and colleagues (Mach et al., 2020) will be presented to underscore the imperative for a collective "coproduction" of knowledge across diverse educational levels, ensuring heightened applicability. Confronting the urgent challenges posed by climate change necessitates an imperious call for societies to cultivate a more widespread dissemination of plant-related knowledge within the public domain.