Sustainable Flowers Research Project
A Knowledge Exchange Hub for Sustainable Floriculture
Welcome
To our new website. We are a team of researchers based at Coventry University and the University of Surrey, UK, who have been researching the cut-flower industry for over two decades. A key focus of our work is to ask the fundamental question: What does a sustainable flower look like?
This website has been created to share up-to-date information about the progress of the Sustainable Flowers Research Project. Here you will find regular ‘Latest News’ updates on the home page; details about the individuals from the flower industry who belong to our stakeholder group; information about our research projects; reports from the various project workshops we have staged; links to our research publications and conference/workshop appearances and much more!
Keep in touch
Subscribe to our Email list for updates on new findings, industry trends, and tips to support eco-friendly practices. Join our growing community and stay connected with cutting-edge insights delivered straight to your inbox!
For inquries, please email us.
Latest Updates
The General Synod backs Sustainable Church Flowers motion
The General Synod has backed a Dioscean Synod Motion from the Diocese of Worcester encouraging churches and cathedrals to explore environmentally responsible approaches to flower arranging. Sustainable Flowers Research Project co-lead Dr Jill Timms features in a short video on the need for such a motion.
Say it with flowers: Working with industry to reconsider the ethics of the cut-flower supply chain
Weddings, funerals, Valentine’s Day – we buy flowers to show that we care on all sorts of occasions. But where do these flowers come from? Who has produced them, what are their working conditions and what are their impacts on the environment? What information is available to consumers to make informed choices? These are the kinds of questions that the Sustainable Flowers Research Project have been asking for the last decade.
Introducing: Researcher Dr Anna Bogush
Dr Anna Bogush is certainly not new to the Sustainable Flowers Research Project, but we would like to take this opportunity to shine a light on her knowledge and expertise. A leading researcher on pollutants and sustainable design, read more about Anna’s work here.
Calling all British Florists – An opportunity to share your views!
We are asking all British florists to complete our quick 5-minute survey. Tell us your views on British flowers and sustainability issues.
Petals with a Purpose – an evening of judgment-free conversations around sustainability
Project co-lead, Dr Jill Timms, hosted an exciting evening of panel discussions and live demonstrations at Guildford Cathedral, as part of the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science.
Project co-lead Jill Timms speaks to Radio Surrey
Project co-lead, Jill Timms, speaks to Radio Surrey’s James Cannon about upcoming Festival of Social Science event ‘Petals with a Purpose’. The event will take place on Monday 20th October at Guildford Cathedral.
A Wicked Challenge for a Beautiful Industry
Pleased to share a recent media feature written by David Bek in the September edition of Floraculture International Magazine on the urgent need to tackle plastics, packaging, and waste in the floriculture industry. In the piece, David writes about the scale of the...
Petals with a Purpose: Rethinking Flowers for a Greener Future | Free event
Join us at Guildford Cathedral on the 20th October for our 2025 Festival of Social Science event. Project co-lead Jill Timms will be joined by a panel of local innovators, flower farmers, florists, composting pioneers, and community organisers in revealing how growing, selling, and arranging flowers can harm or help our planet.
Project researcher Angela Coulton speaks to Radio Lancashire’s Farmwatch
Flower farmer and project researcher, Angela Coulton, speaks to Radio Lancashire’s Farmwatch. Now available for listening on BBC Radio Sounds.
Header Image: courtesy of Ksenia Makagonova / Unsplash.com