Fantastic Fungi + Panel Discussion

Narrated by Brie Larson, Fantastic Fungi is a descriptive time-lapse journey about the magical, mysterious and medicinal world of fungi and their power to heal, sustain and contribute to the regeneration of life on Earth that began 3.5 billion years ago.

Programmed in partnership with the Sainsbury Centre to coincide with their current season ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ We are delighted to welcome the following panellists for a post-screening discussion: Karina Aveyard, Associate Professor of Media, Arts and Humanities, University of East Anglia; A. Ganesan, Professor in Chemical Biology, University of East Anglia; Kay Yeoman, Professor of Science Communication, University of East Anglia; Vanessa Tothill, Curator of Transhistorical Narratives, Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia.

From alcohol and caffeine to ayahuasca and heroin, this six-month season of interlinked exhibitions and programmes exploring ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’, uses art to take visitors on a journey of investigation, inviting audiences to explore the world of global drug cultures from illegal to familiar across one mind-blowing museum landscape.

Panel for discussion afterwards:

Karina Aveyard

Associate Professor of Media, Arts and Humanities, University of East Anglia

School of Media, Language and Communication Studies

Dr Aveyard is the Director of the UEA Green Film Festival, an annual four-day celebration of environmental films and filmmakers from around the world that foregrounds powerful movements of environmental resistance, activism and change. Her academic research and publications have a focus on community and rural cinema with an emphasis on the social and cultural significance of collective film viewing practices. 

A. Ganesan

Professor in Chemical Biology, University of East Anglia

School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Professor Ganesan has published on chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, epigenetics, and the potential use of natural products within pharmacology. Ganesan is co-founder of the drug discovery company Karus Therapeutics, Chair of the EU COST Action CM1406 Epigenetic Chemical Biology and a member of the IUPAC Subcommittee for Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development.

Kay Yeoman

Professor of Science Communication, University of East Anglia

School of Biological Sciences

Professor Yeoman is a molecular microbiologist with a keen interest in science communication research and face-to-face science communication activities. Kay is a specialist in the biodiversity of fungi and fungal folklore. She is the former chair of the Education Group of the British Mycological Society and leads the annual Eaton Park Fungus Day in collaboration with Friends of Eaton Park. She has also run events with the Natural History Museum and Cambridge Botanical Gardens.

Vanessa Tothill

Curator of Transhistorical Narratives, Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia

Dr Tothill curated ‘Power Plants: Stimulants, Intoxicants and Narcotics’ for the Sainsbury Centre. She co-developed and delivered the Why Do We Take Drugs? exhibition programme that includes the musée du quai Branly’s touring exhibition ‘Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon’, curated by Dr David Dupuis. Vanessa also edited the programme’s linked publication that is titled ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’