Defend Your Science
A free two-week online course with Dr. David Spencer.
Confident argumentation in science
Our PLANT 2030 ACADEMY online course “Defend Your Science” offers practical tools and insights to help you structure strong arguments and handle challenging conversations with confidence.
The course encourages active participation, self-reflection, and provides a growing toolbox of response strategies – designed for scientists who want to speak with clarity, credibility, and confidence.
The content is released in two parts:
27 October 2026 – Part 1 covers the foundations of scientific Argumentation.
3 November 2026 – Part 2 provides hands-on guidance on argumentation in real-world research contexts.
Throughout the course exercises and reflection prompts ensure that you can apply and consolidate your newly learned skills. Please download the course workbook using the button below. We recommend printing the PDF to get the most out of the practical tasks.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at plant2030@die-blattmacher.com!
Meet Dr. David Spencer
Dr. David Spencer is a plant biologist and science communicator based in Germany, celebrated for making complex biology both accessible and engaging. His research focuses on the hidden strategies wild plants use to survive extreme environments – insights he applied to develop sustainable, climate-resilient crops using advanced genetic tools.
Beyond the lab, Spencer is a bold advocate for evidence-based science in public discourse. Through his podcast Krautnah, his book Alles bio–logisch?!, and his vibrant social media presence, he defends scientific integrity against misinformation with clarity, wit, and empathy. Unafraid to tackle polarizing topics like genetic engineering, he argues that thoughtful biotech can empower ecological values rather than threaten them.
Course schedule
Start: 27 October 2026. Introduction and Week 1 are available immediately; Week 2 opens on 3 November 2026.
Work through 16 short videos and apply the ideas to your own research using the downloadable course workbook. The course is taught in English and is free of charge.