Annual Conference sessions
Browse all conference sessions since 2010
Science ♥ society
2019
"The blob: a genius without a brain".
2019
"Mathematics as Material Play"
Equity & Inclusion
2019
A blindfolded experience to grasp visual accessibility requirements.
Business & fundraising
2019
The session explores different models for financing our institutions and tackling the biggest challenges we face in the search for a diversified and balanced model.
Strategy & vision
2019
The Supreme Court of the Ecsite Conference will decide whether virtual reality (VR) in museums and science centres is visceral reality providing vital reactions, or just virtually rudimentary and very rubbish.
Research, theory & evaluation
2018
James Beacham is a particle physicist involved in the ATLAS experiment at CERN. Watch a video of his keynote.
Science ♥ society
2018
“Go forth and collide, Multiply and create” is the motto of our Science Assembly. Inspired by religious revival meetings, we will offer you songs, laughter, inspiration, and meaning.
Exhibit development
2018
Are you facilitating creative team processes? Tired of always using the same old tricks? Interested in the wider potential of creative techniques? This session is for you.
Strategy & vision
2018
What is the future of science centre exhibitions? Do we need to stick to scientific phenomena, or focus on high tech and current science? Do we concentrate on objects or interaction? Or are physical exhibitions becoming obsolete in the digital era?
Research, theory & evaluation
2017
Professor Alice Roberts is an anthropologist, author and broadcaster, and Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham. Watch a video of her keynote.
Science ♥ society
2017
Nina Simon has been described as a “museum visionary” by Smithsonian Magazine for her audience-centred approach to design. Watch a video of her keynote.
Research, theory & evaluation
2016
Dr. Frans de Waal is a Dutch-American biologist and primatologist known for his work on the behaviour and social cognition of primates. Speech title: Prosocial Primates: The Cooperative Background of Our Species
Equity & Inclusion
2016
Dr. Elizabeth Rasekoala is the President of African Gong – the Pan-African Network for the Popularisation of Science & Technology, and Science Communication. Watch a video of her keynote.
2015
Andrea Illy is the Chairman and CEO of illycaffè S.p.A., a family coffee business founded more than 80 years ago. Watch his speech on Ecsite's YouTube channel.
Strategy & vision
2014
Professor Ian Goldin is Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professor of Globalisation and Development at Oxford University. He delivered a speech entitled "Individual and Collective Wisdom and Failure".
Science ♥ society
2014
Ahmet Üzümcü is the Director general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The OPCW is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2013.
Strategy & vision
2013
Dominique Pestre is a social and political historian.Hos speech was entitled "What kind of innovation for the Anthropocene?". Watch the keynote on the Ecsite YouTube channel.
Strategy & vision
2013
Susan Greenfield is a neuroscientist at the University of Oxford and delivered a speech entitled “ The neuroscience of creativity – Making the most of 21st century technology”. Watch the keynote on the Ecsite YouTube channel.
Strategy & vision
2012
Martin Rees, Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, gave a speech entitled "Space exploration, life and the cosmos".
Strategy & vision
2012
Carlo Ratti, Professor at the MIT, gave a talk entitled "Future Cities - The real-time city is now real!"
Science ♥ society
2011
Derrick de Kerckhove, Professor at the Department of French and former Director of the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto, gave a speech entitled "Navigating among the shoals and reefs of social, state and business controls in science and technology".
Strategy & vision
2011
Michael Jones Chief Technology Advocate, Google, gave a speech entitled "The Billionth Visitor".
The first Ecsite Conference took place in 1989. Here you can browse all Conference sessions since 2010. Use the search engine to look for people, topics...
Looking for an older session? Our digital records start in 2007, with programme pdfs attached to each conference page.
Andreas MattKathrin KöstersEric LondaitsWouter van der Zouwe
The Irrational Funding Agency (www.irration.al) has agreed to provide unlimited resources to create the first science exhibition that’s absolutely free from budgetary or technological limitations. The agency...
Ana NoronhaMaría MenéndezBarbara BudassiMiriam AtienzaMiriam AtienzaCamilla Rossi-LinnemannPedro Russo
The blend of science and creativity can trigger curiosity in areas of space science and technology that differ from those traditionally pursued by science engagement, in ways that may inspire broader audiences to go on new explorations... This...
Michael RenvillardCasper Aarlit JensenRoberta Sandri
This workshop has a capacity of 30 participants.
Children learn best through play; it’s an essential part of child development.
Children already know that play is their superpower, and it is the LEGO...
Claire PillsburySarah AlexanderIliana TatsiBarbara Maria NeffMichael John Gorman
Scientific themes can be challenging to communicate and at the same time imperative for science centres and related institutions to help visitors understand. Art is a meaningful, engaging and accessible way of communicating complex ideas and...
Sheena LaursenMai MurmannMikko MyllykoskiGyöngyi KovácsMarc Friedrich
Socio-scientific exhibitions have established a new paradigm within science engagement organisations over the past few decades. But how do we approach the development of these exhibitions in order to provide space for both natural science AND...
Erik TorstenssonJon HaavieJørn HafverBianca VioletBrenda ShivanandanOla Kleiven
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in more and more applications and is affecting our reality in new and challenging ways. Science centres have a unique opportunity and obligation to educate and engage the general public in this. In this...
David JonesMeie van LaarRebecca ButtigiegGéraldine Delaforge
25% of the EU population consider themselves to have some level of disability. Working in partnership and creating environments for communities to have their voices heard does not happen overnight. Organisations need to learn to listen to...
Mairéad HurleyCamilla ThamMhairi StewartAmy van Nobelen
At a time of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, young people are showing determination and creating projects to lead the way. This session highlights the approaches that museums have taken to collaborate with young people. Our Broken...
Say goodbye and thank you to our 2022 hosts and hello to the Esplora Science Centre team who will be welcoming us to sunny Malta next year for the 2023 Ecsite Conference (15-17 June 2023).
Patricia VerheydenStacy WakefordJenny SearchMaribel IbarraAmito Haarhuis
This session will focus on three of Ecsite’s strategic commitments: 21st century skills, inclusion & equity, and health & wellbeing. As we are all still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, how can we take on those challenges in our...
Brendan OwensMairéad HurleySophie PerryLottie Dodwell
This interactive workshop will create a space to come together and better understand our role as enablers of a just and sustainable future, and consider how to create spaces to encourage transformative climate action rather than short-term fixes...
Michael RenvillardCasper Aarlit JensenRoberta Sandri
This workshop has a capacity of 30 participants.
Children learn best through play; it’s an essential part of child development.
Children already know that play is their superpower, and it is the LEGO Foundation’s goal to convince...
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