Joni Wildman

Joni is a PhD student at the University of Bath, specialising in the rapidly evolving field of mycelium-based materials. Her research focuses on using mycelium as a sustainable form of insulation, and her work has been published and presented at international academic conferences.

Beyond her research, Joni is a passionate science communicator dedicated to sharing the wonders of fungi with broader audiences. She creates educational videos for social media, covering everything from her research on mycelium-based materials to foraging tips and her favourite mushroom finds. Nothing brings her more joy than exploring the woods and celebrating the fungal kingdom, and she’s eager to share that joy with others.

Joni has received national recognition for her science communication, winning the UK FameLab competition at the Cheltenham Science Festival and going on to represent the UK in the international finals. She has organised and led events for UK Fungus Day, delivered lectures for the British Mycological Society, and spoken at science festivals across the UK and Europe. She’s excited to return to the All Things Fungi event after speaking there in 2024.

In her talk, Joni will delve into the exciting world of fungal-based materials- explaining how mycelium can be used to make new materials, exploring the challenges and future potential of these products, and offering insights into life as a researcher in this innovative field.

‍