The colonial roots of botany – legacies of empire in the botanic gardens of Oxford and Kew

While botanic gardens such as Oxford and Kew have long been linked to colonial expansion, their public communication of this history remains superficial despite growing awareness among scientists about the need to acknowledge Indigenous peoples and places. This study reveals that colonial-era scientific practices persist in plant nomenclature even as institutions grapple with ethical reckoning. Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2022–2023, researchers analyzed signage and guided tours to demonstrate how colonial legacies are only lightly addressed for visitors, despite internal efforts. The findings highlight a disconnect between institutional recognition of these issues and their public representation.

Nielsen, V. (2023). The colonial roots of botany – legacies of empire in the botanic gardens of Oxford and Kew. Museum Management and Curatorship, 38(6), 696–712. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2023.2269222