6th – 10th September 2026 at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

Botanik-Tagung
International Conference of the German Society for Plant Sciences

Workshops and Special Events

Icebreaker

Join us on Sunday, 6 September 2026, for an informal Icebreaker to kick off the conference. Participation is free, but we kindly ask you to register if you plan to attend and to cancel promptly if your plans change, so that we can plan catering and minimise food waste.

Time & place: 4 – 8 pm, Mensa

Networking Event

On Wednesday, 9 September 2026, join us for an evening of networking with food and complimentary drinks, followed by a party featuring a live DJ. Tickets are €30 for students and €50 for regular participants.

Time & place: 8 pm, Mensa

Workshops

​Workshop 1: From plant blindness to visible research: An introduction to science communication for plant scientists7 Sep 2026, 1:45 – 3:30 p.m. / Jun.-Prof. Dr. Leroy Grossmann, BiologiedidaktikFee: 0 EUR Plant blindness - the tendency to overlook plants or underestimate their importance - is not only an issue in education, but also affects the visibility and communication of botanical research. This hands-on workshop introduces early-career plant scientists to practical strategies for making their research clear, engaging, and relevant to both expert and non-expert audiences. Participants will learn methods such as storytelling to structure key messages effectively and will practice applying them in short peer exercises. The workshop also encourages reflection on how to communicate research within the scientific community as well as to broader publics. By the end, participants will be better equipped to make their work visible, convey complex ideas effectively, and overcome the challenges posed by plant blindness.Workshop 2: Lunch & Learn: Plant Lighting and Energy Efficiency08 Sep 2026, 12:15 - 1:00 p.m.To what extent can light spectrum influence plant growth and development?This Lunch & Learn explores how light spectrum, LED technology, spectral measurement and lighting control can be used in plant photobiology research. A multichannel LED system, optical spectroradiometer and control software will be presented, with particular focus on reproducibility and energy efficiency. Workshop ContentPlant Photobiology• Effects of different spectral regions on plant growth and development• Plant photoreceptors and light signalling• Light transmission through leaves and the role of far-red• Use of different spectra to influence plant growth, quality and yieldSpectral Measurement and Plant Light Characterisation• Measurement of UV-A, visible and far-red radiation• Photon flux density and spectral distribution• Verification and documentation of experimental lighting conditions• Spectral logging for reproducible plant-light experimentsThe Bilberry SP4 measures the optical spectrum from 340–850 nm and can be used as a stand-alone research instrument or as a feedback sensor for the Bilberry Essentials lighting control system.Energy Efficiency & Lighting Control• Optimising spectra for different plant species and growth stages• Thermal management and minimisation of optical losses• Adaptive dimming and multichannel LED control• Sunrise/sunset simulation, luminaire grouping and data logging Target groupPlant scientists and researchers working with plants under controlled or supplemental lighting conditions. SpeakerDr. Krzysztof DobryninCo-owner and CEO of Bilberry, lighting solutions for plant cultivation & research Protein chemistry and Plant photobiology expertk.dobrynin@bilberry.pl, +48 503 675 603Workshop 3: Mit 5 Tricks schneller zum fertigen Schriftstück8 Sep 2026, 3:30 – 5:15 p.m. / Dr. Esther Schwarz-Weig, WissenschaftsredakteuerinMax. 12 participants | Fee: early bird 20 EUR / regular 30 EUR Das Verfassen von Dissertationen, wissenschaftlichen Artikeln, Förderanträgen, Poster-, Zeitschriften- und Buchbeiträgen – und besonders das populärwissenschaftlicher Texte – dauert oft wesentlich länger als geplant. Werkzeuge können helfen, Texte wesentlich schneller zu entwerfen, zu strukturieren sowie zügig fertigzustellen. Die fünf im Workshop vorgestellten und einfach anzuwendenden Techniken sind nicht etwa flottes Schreiben mit zehn Fingern oder die effiziente Anweisung einer KI, sondern dienen der Konzeptentwicklung – also Techniken, die vorher das Anliegen auf den Punkt bringen. Weiterhin ermöglichen sie die Konzentration des Inhaltes und das Schreiben mit System. Diese Techniken haben sich in der Schreibprozessforschung als effizient erwiesen und werden von Vielschreibern Tag für Tag erfolgreich angewendet. So formulieren und verfassen auch Sie in Zukunft alle möglichen Texte wesentlich flotter. Damit das Schreiben nicht mehr so viel Ihrer Zeit auffrisst. Workshop 4: Scientific publishing - Pros & Cons of a Society Journal09 Sep 2026, 12:15 - 1 p.m. / Lead: Prof. Dr. Hans-Henning Kunz, LMU MünchenFee: 0 EURWorkshop 5: Career Paths Exchange09 Sep 2026, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. / Prof. Dr. Christopher Grefen, Ruhr University BochumFee: 0 EUR What does a career in plant science look like beyond the next academic position? In this interactive panel session, scientists from academia and industry will briefly introduce their career paths and current roles, sharing personal experiences from their own job searches, important decisions, uncertainties and lessons learned along the way.The short introductions will be followed by an open discussion with the audience. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, compare perspectives and discuss career opportunities, challenges and choices with the panellists. Rather than presenting idealised career trajectories, the session aims to offer an open and personal exchange about the many different paths a career in and around plant science can take.Our panellists will be attending the meeting throughout the week, so please feel free to connect with them ahead of the workshop on Wednesday. ​From left to right:Dr. Jan Dittgen, Bayer AG, FrankfurtJun.-Prof. Dr. Leroy Großmann, RUBDr. Tobias Jores, Emmy Noether Gruppenleiter, HHU DüsseldorfDr. Josephine Mittendorf, Bayer AG, FrankfurtDr. Nadine Schumann, KWS SAAT SE & Co KGaA, EinbeckDr. Jaccoline Zegers, Lonza AG, Visp, Switzerland 

Field trips (10 September commencing at 2:15 pm)

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​Botanischer Garten der Ruhr-Universität BochumThe tour is free of charge, a donation for the garden will be much appreciated. This trip will take you to the university's Botanical Garden, situated right next to the conference venue. A guided tour will lead you through the garden's main areas, like the tropical and desert gardens, and also the Chinese garden.Museum unter TageFee: EUR 4.00 This trip will take you to the Museum unter Tage (the Museum Below Ground) and it's "Weltsichten" exhibition.Further details: https://situation-kunst.de/en/situation-kunstNote that no transport will be provided, but the museum is easily accessible by public transport. A group can start together from the conference venue.Bergbaumuseum – Tours available in both English and GermanFee: EUR 5.00 This trip will take you to the German Mining Museum, the largest of its kind worldwide.Note that no transport will be provided, but the museum is easily accessible by public transport. A group can start together from the conference venue.Further details: https://www.bergbaumuseum.de/en/Industrial Heritage: JahrhunderthalleFee: EUR 5.00 A guided tour of the iconic Jahrhunderthalle Bochum and its surrounding Westpark, highlighting the transformation from heavy industry to cultural landmark.Further details: https://www.bochum-tourismus.de/besuch-planen/stadtfuehrungen/fuehrung-unterwelt-plus-westpark.html