Future of Fungi Panel Discussion

Our panelists discuss the future of fungi, in uses beyond food and medicine - from materials to cleaning up our human made mess, via composting

Confirmed panelists:

Kit Ondaatje Rolls: Kit is a biodesigner, fungi researcher, and author. She holds an MA in Biodesign from Central Saint Martins, where she specialised in regenerative systems and mycelium-based materials. She founded the London Native Fungi Library, a living genetic archive of medicinal mushroom strains sourced from Greater London, which she cultivates and extracts into native mushroom tinctures. Her work explores the ecological, cultural, and creative worlds of fungi, encouraging deeper engagement with the natural world. Her book 'FUNGI: Creatures & Cultures' was published by Watkins Books earlier in Jul

Alice Sophia Pefanis: Alice Sophia Pefanis is a mycologist, researcher and educator with a background in plant science, regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration. Her work with fungi spans ecology and identification, low-tech cultivation, medicinal mycology, and the cultural and community dimensions of working with fungi. As a researcher at Flete Field Lab, she specialises in mycoremediation, exploring how fungi can be used to address freshwater pollution and support ecological restoration. Alongside her research, Alice lectures on ecology and agriculture courses and leads fungal forays and practical workshops.

Jarred Henderson: Jarred is the founder of Vermi Culture, a Margate-based research and development company exploring how worms can transform waste into high-quality, biologically active soil amendments. Alongside his work in architecture and conservation, Jarred has spent the past few years developing a system for processing organic waste at increasing scale. 

Vermi Culture has recently secured over half a million pounds of R&D grants, which will take the work through prototype development and into real-world agricultural trials in Margate and Essex. The projects will use worms and microbial processes to transform organic waste streams - including spent mushroom substrate - into valuable material for rebuilding soils.

Panel Facilitated by Dr Randa Kachef

Dr. Randa L. Kachef is an urban waste and sustainability expert, whose work and research are focused around reducing environmental impacts through infrastructure, product innovation and policy change. Her research spans a variety of topics within waste reduction, particularly litter, material recovery, and sewage. An experienced science communicator with a background in corporate marketing, she is a frequent consultant and commentator on topics where science and policy overlap.

Please note: This event is included in Festival Passes

Accessibility info: This event is UPSTAIRS at Gather &.