(un)common threads - Meet The Researcher

Meet the researcher who's work inspired and is featured in (un)common threads

About the Exhibition

(un)common threads is a participatory installation that uncovers the beauty of microscopic mycorrhizal fungi and celebrates the vital ecological role fungi play in supporting forests and fighting climate change. It is part of the Fungi Festival Week and made possible with support from the British Mycological Society.

About Dr. Laura Suz

This exhibition was inspired by the research by Dr. Laura Suz (Senior Research Leader in Mycology at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) and her team, into the role mycorrhizal fungi play in ecosystem functioning and the knock-on consequences when these belowground fungi are affected by environmental and anthropogenic changes.

Laura captures stunning microscope images of fungal hyphae and rhizomorphs (fungal cords) while examining belowground ectomycorrhizas to identify the fungi in roots of trees and understand their soil exploration strategies and diversity of these key fungi in a given location.

About This Event

In this ‘meet the researcher’ event Laura will talk about threats of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in forests, ongoing research into the role of mycorrhizal fungi in soil carbon sequestration and forest resilience and the questions her team are striving to answer.

Plenty of time will be given for questions and chatting to the researchers and other guests - the London National Park Cities visitor centre is an intimate, relaxed venue so an ideal space for starting conversations with fellow fungi enthusiasts.

You will also be able to visit the installation and contribute to the evolving, co-created art work.

(un)common threads is part of Fungi Festival 2025 hosted by London National Park City with events across the city, the festival showcases fungi’s vital role in connecting ecosystems, inspiring art and offering sustainable solutions for the future.

See all events here: nationalparkcity.london/fungi-festival

Evening schedule:

6:00pm - Relaxed arrival time - visit the exhibition. Mushroom infused drinks will be available.

7:15pm - Talk by Dr Laura Suz

7:45pm - Questions and discussion

8:15pm - Networking, visit the exhibition

9:00pm - Close

Photo Credits:

Fungal hyphae - Cortinarius species, Dr Laura Suz

Fungal hyphae -Xerocomellus pruinatus, Dr Laura Suz