​As synthetic biology moves from microbial chassis into complex plant systems, engineered crops promise solutions to climate resilience, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Yet, reshaping living flora raises profound questions that reach far beyond the laboratory bench: Who owns programmed genetic traits? How do we build meaningful public trust? And how can society help co-design the future of living technologies?

​This session brings together social science leaders from ARIA’s flagship Synthetic Plants programme to explore the ethical, political, and governance dimensions of plant synthetic biology. Moving beyond traditional "top-down" communication, our panellists will discuss experimental governance frameworks, public co-ownership, and how upstream social dialogue can actively shape responsible biological innovation from day one.

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Speaker Bios

​Professor Joy Zhang

​Director of the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice, University of Kent

​Joy Zhang is a Professor of Sociology and a global authority on the governance of emerging biotechnologies. She leads the ARIA-funded Futuring Biological Commons project, which investigates public engagement, stakeholder co-ownership, and ethical frameworks for programmable plants. Professor Zhang has advised international policymaking bodies, including the UK Royal Society and the World Health Organisation, on responsible innovation and transnational scientific governance.

​Dr. Robert Smith

​Science & Technology Studies, University of Edinburgh

​Dr. Rob Smith is a leading researcher at the intersection of synthetic biology, policy, and public dialogue. He leads major social science and governance research within ARIA’s Synthetic Plants programme in collaboration with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. His work focuses on experimental governance models, responsible research and innovation (RRI), and creating actionable frameworks for scientists and institutions to engage meaningfully with the public on engineered biology.