Exploring the black poplar story in Manchester

In collaboration with storyteller Susie Oldfield and the Science and Industry Museum, David and Chris plan a research event in early May exploring the story of Manchester’s black poplar tree. The black poplar was extensively planted after the city’s period of industrial expansion in the nineteenth-century. It had remarkable powers of survival and propagation at a time when many of the city’s trees were killed by air pollutants. Working with the back poplar as an instance of Manchester’s living non-human heritage, speakers will explore possibilities for future transdisciplinary research. With its emphasis on curriculum content and values this event for teachers will also explore the black poplar story as a vehicle for curriculum innovation in secondary English studies and science.