Letter from the President
Society for Ethnobotany
President’s Remarks
Sonia Peter, Ph.D.
‘Fostering Research and Education on the past, present and future uses of plants by people’
It is an honor to assume the role of President of the Society for Ethnobotany, 2025-2026, as I accept the gavel from Alex McAlvay who gave a stellar contribution during his year in the executive position. I wish to express appreciation to all Past Presidents for their inputs into the development of the society from its inception in 1959. My early interest in the society was nurtured by Past Presidents, John Rashford (2007) and Eve Emshwiller (2009) who impressed as they encouraged junior members to participate and be advocates for the society. This early period of my activity saw the establishment of chapters of the society at the 50th Annual Meeting held in Charleston, South Carolina in 2009. The most consistent has been the Kenyan chapter (SEB-K) that holds meetings annually. The 13th conference of SEB-K was held jointly with the Natural Products Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA-K) in 2024. The Caribbean chapter produced a newsletter, Plants and Heritage, featuring ethnobotanists and other scientists in the region as well as tropical biocultural narratives. The European chapter has established a working group, and we express appreciation for the leadership rendered in the organization of the recently concluded SEB Annual Meeting in Prague. We will continue to work on the growth of these chapters as they provide active global outreach.
I am committed to working with the incoming SEB Council as we focus on the targets for the year and work to engage members across all platforms offered, including professional development opportunities for recent graduates and those at mid-career stage. We are delighted to inform you that the members only Fall online symposium will examine the nexus between ethnobotany and industry. Look out for the opening of registration. We encourage members to support the student committee and their Student Café which offers exposure to varied narratives in the study of ethnobotany. Other informal talks are being considered to expose the nuances of the landscapes and communities within which members conduct fieldwork as we celebrate science, education, culture, biodiversity and traditional knowledge. The planning of the 2026 meeting is in the early stages and will be held in yet another intriguing destination offering great exposure to biocultural diversity.
We encourage members to submit their works for publication in our hallmark Journal of Economic Botany, soon to be renamed Journal of Ethnobotany and Economic Botany. The journal publishes original research articles, notes, review articles and book reviews. The healthy impact factor offers exposure to a wider audience with greater visibility and recognition of published articles. The newsletter, Plants and People, had its first issue in 1988 and has blossomed into an informative and dynamic edition produced by and for members of the SEB. The call for submissions, and guidelines, are provided in the newsletter.
The Society for Ethnobotany has garnered members from the across the United States and 64 countries. The expertise within the membership spans disciplines including agronomy, anthropology, archaeology, chemistry, economics, ethnobotany, ethnology, forestry, genetic resources, geography, geology, horticulture, medicine, microbiology, nutrition, pharmacognosy, and pharmacology. Collectively, our support drives the activities of the SEB, but we need to see an expansion of membership. I see the study and practice of ethnobotany as of great significance as we look to the future to address the imbalances occurring due to environmental change. Providing opportunities for networking, exchange of innovative ideas, project collaborations, exploration of educational programming are realities of the delivery that SEB can offer. Your support is vital, and we encourage you, the members, to actively engage in our membership drive. Let’s make the 2025-2026 year one of substantial growth and increased visibility of the SEB.
Sonia Peter, Ph.D.
Director
Biocultural Education and Research Programme
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
St. Joseph, Barbados