Laura Dev: The Role of Plants in Knowledge Production - Collaborators or Objects of Study?

Indigenous Sacred Teacher Plants like Ayahuasca are explored not merely as research objects, but as agents and partners in knowledge production. Traditional research paradigms often marginalize the agency of these beings, leading to an incomplete understanding of their role in human cognition and consciousness. By engaging with plant intelligence through trans-species collaboration, researchers can cultivate more expansive, multispecies perspectives that challenge human-centric biases and colonial power dynamics. Moving beyond conventional taxonomies requires a methodological shift toward ecological and relational ways of knowing. This involves integrating traditional indigenous practices, such as dietic rituals, into scientific methodology, thereby recognizing the plant as an active participant rather than a passive substance. Such an approach fosters humility, acknowledges the limitations of human perception, and honors the intricate communication networks existing within the natural world.