Fungi Talks: Stinkhorn!

This Book Week Scotland, enter the fascinating world of fungi - specifically weird and wonderful stinkhorns!

Dive into two newly published books, guided by their creators: Stinkhorn: How Nature's Most Foul-Smelling Mushroom Can Change the Way We Listen by Siôn Parkinson; and The Fascinating World of Fungi, edited by Max Coleman and contributed to by Patrick Hickey.

Join us in the Botanics' Lecture Theatre for this unique, multisensory event, which will include never-before-seen footage of stinkhorn growth by scientist Patrick Hickey, an audience Q&A, as well as the opportunity to purchase books by the authors and have them signed.

This event is part of Book Week Scotland 2024 and will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted.

If you have any access requirements or questions relating to this event, please do not hesitate to email [email protected]

Siôn Parkinson and Patrick Hickey's work currently features in the exhibition Fungi Forms, on display in Inverleith House Gallery until 8 December.

Dr Siôn Parkinson is a visual artist, composer, performer, and writer investigating our sensory relationship with the more-than-human world. Siôn is a research fellow at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where he is exploring the olfactory heritage of fungi — mushroom smells that are meaningful to individuals or communities due to their association with significant places, objects or traditions. Originally trained as a sculptor, Siôn received his PhD in sound studies from the University of Leeds, where he was an Amanda Burton scholar. His first book Stinkhorn: How Nature’s Most Foul-Smelling Mushroom Can Change The Way We Listen is published by Sternberg Press (UK/EU 2024; US/Canada 2025).

Dr Patrick Hickey is an independent scientist based at Summerhall, specialising in time-lapse photography, laser microscopy and imaging of living fungi. Patrick’s research is focused on understanding hyphal tip growth, fusion, development of mycelium networks and spore release mechanisms. Patrick has explored the interfaces between art and science through collaborations on films, documentaries, exhibitions, installations, music events and advertisements. Patrick is a guest lecturer at The University of Edinburgh and regular contributor to broadcast TV, including the BBC's Afterlife (2011); The Magic of Mushrooms (2014); and Planet Earth III (2023).

Dr Max Coleman is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s science communicator. Being a botanist rather than a mycologist, Max tries to communicate the vital role of fungi to plant health and the functioning of life on Earth. Max acted as an editor for the book From Another Kingdom: The Amazing World of Fungi, which accompanied a major exhibition on fungi at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2010. For the current exhibition in Inverleith House – Fungi Forms – Max has edited an updated and redesigned second edition under the new title The Fascinating World of Fungi. Max makes regular livestreams for the Garden’s Instagram and has recently featured the current exhibition and seasonal fungi.

Host or Publisher Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Creative Programmes