The consumption of fruits and vegetables is vital to maintain a diverse, balanced and healthy diet. But have you ever stopped to consider what impact our consumption of plants and plant products has on the plant itself at the different stages through its lifecycle? Plants have evolved myriad methods to defend themselves from predation (and hence consumption by humans) before reproducing, but we have developed ways to overcome many of these powerful plant defences. This course will explore the chemistry (along with snippets horticulture and botany) of a range of our “Five a Day” giving you a very different view on the vegetable plot.

After studying chemistry at both degree and PhD level and working in different roles in the pharmaceutical industry, Alison’s passion for plants got the better of her. She retrained as a horticulturist, and joined the University of Oxford Botanic Garden, eventually becoming Acting Director. Alison is now focusing on using horticulture as a conduit for science communication but also enjoys creating new gardens for plant enthusiasts.