The University of Birmingham and Birmingham Botanical Gardens have announced a 12-month partnership. The partnership will see these historic institutions undertake joint research projects during 2025 and 2026, designed to improve understanding of the natural world, wellbeing and cultural benefits of the gardens.

It will enable world-leading researchers from the University of Birmingham to access parts of the Global Living Collection of plants and better understand how horticulture can bring economic and social benefits, as well as explore the potential for specialist horticultural research.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham said: “This partnership comes during a landmark year for the University of Birmingham as we mark 125 years since becoming the country’s first civic university. This is an exciting example of the type of civic engagement that the University is committed to, working with the best of Birmingham and considering how the city can have a positive impact around the world.”

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries. Click here for more information on the unviersity.

Founded in 1829, the Grade II listed Birmingham Botanical Gardens hold more than 30,000 plants from around the world within 15 acres and in four Victorian glasshouses, each showcasing unique climates and ecosystems that provide an abundance of research opportunities for the University.

Sara Blair-Manning, CEO of Birmingham Botanical Gardens said: “Seeing Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the University of Birmingham come together in this way is an incredibly gratifying experience that we know will lead to some truly fascinating research projects and findings that will serve our city and beyond. We are excited to work together to uncover more intriguing stories and secrets from the gardens’ complex and diverse habitats and species that may hold answers to some of the biggest challenges we face in the world today.”

The partnership builds on work between the University of Birmingham’s Winterbourne House and Garden and Birmingham Botanical Gardens delivered through ‘West Midlands Gardens’, an organisation that aims to promote the value of green spaces in the region.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at University of Birmingham (click here for more information), Professor William Bloss said: “The Botanical Gardens are an oasis of biodiversity in the heart of Birmingham. Having access to such a rich and diverse space opens up a wealth of opportunities for unique research into rewilding our urban landscapes with flora that can improve environments, mitigate against man-made climate change, and support economic growth. More specifically, helping to answer questions like ‘What is required for improved physical and mental health via better urban design in the city that would ultimately provide savings for the NHS?’; and ‘What is the future pipeline for ‘green tech’ employment?’.”

As part of the partnership, Birmingham Botanical Gardens will also be offering discounted visits and membership for University of Birmingham staff and students along with other benefits, such as using the gardens for wellbeing walks and other activities promoted by University of Birmingham mental health practitioners and for volunteering days. Both parties see the initial year-long partnership as having potential that reaches beyond the next 12 months.

The partnership is one of several activities demonstrating the University’s civic commitment. Earlier this year, the University of Birmingham formed a strategic alliance with another iconic Birmingham institution, Birmingham City Football Club, creating opportunities in research, education and health. Click here for more information on this alliance.

It also pledged its ‘Promise’ to Birmingham, with Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell signing the ‘Birmingham Civic Agreement’ at a ceremony at The Exchange, click here for more information on the promise.