Speak at 2026 Ecsite Conference
The Ecsite 2026 - Call to Speak is now open and closes on 26 October 2025. Please read the following information to help you submit a successful proposal.
We welcome sessions and speakers who encourage engaging peer learning, critical reflection, push our shared practice further, and offer a broad overview of case studies from across the world.
4. BAZAARSBazaars take place in a large, open room where speakers present their activities from individual tables, while participants wander between them to hear the latest updates.
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SELECT THE BEST SPEAKING OPPORTUNITYIdentify the right speaking opportunity for you, using our handy decision-making tree. |
All submitters should:
- Read this page thoroughly
- Join the Ecsite Speakers Lounge on LinkedIn to find colleagues
- Sign up to Spokes News to keep up to date
Conference session proposal
Session submissions are evaluated and selected by the Conference Programme Committee (ACPC). The committee members are experts in the field of science engagement. Submissions will be evaluated by the ACPC using the assessment rubric. Do you need to find fellow speakers? Join the Ecsite LinkedIn Group here and share your ideas |
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We are looking for a critical view on a variety of topics: exhibitions and collections; learning and education; public programmes and outreach; research and evaluation; marketing and business development; strategy, leadership and operations. Within these areas, you can talk about anything you'd like, but if you are short of ideas, please see the list we've prepared. |
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3. Choose a format We invite you to think about how best to organise your session using the tools you know work best with your audiences. We have collated a handful of formats to choose from. Feel free to add your own experimental ideas. The Ecsite Conference audience is very responsive, likes to be involved and challenged. Take time to create your title and abstract. The quality and clarity of your speaking proposition are very important for the success of your submission and the attendance at your session. |
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4. Create an account on Cvent & submit We use Cvent to manage submissions. One member of the group should log in and create the submission. The email addresses of all speakers will be required to complete the submission. Please note speakers appearing in multiple speaking opportunities should use the same email address for all. You will find an overview of the Cvent Form here |
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5. Evaluation
The ACPC will meet and review all proposal submissions and issue feedback in Mid/end December, which will be positive, negative or conditional acceptance. Those receiving a conditional acceptance will have a month to make the requested changes in order to receive a positive outcome.
Deep Dive half day workshop proposal
1. Read the assessment rubric
Session submissions are evaluated and selected by the Conference Programme Committee (ACPC). The committee members are experts in the field of science engagement. Submissions will be evaluated by the ACPC using the assessment rubric. Do you need to find fellow speakers? Join the Ecsite LinkedIn Group here and share your ideas |
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2. Decide on a topic We are looking for a critical view on a variety of topics: exhibitions and collections; learning and education; public programmes and outreach; research and evaluation; marketing and business development; strategy, leadership and operations. Within these areas, you can talk about anything you'd like, but if you are short of ideas, please see the list we've prepared. |
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3. Prepare a draft scenario Please prepare an order of play for a 4 hour workshop. This should include target group and detailed learning outcomes Feel free to use the Format ideas document as inspiration to choose multiple ideas for the scenario. |
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4. Create an account on Cvent & submit We use Cvent to manage submissions. One member of the group should log in and create the submission. The email addresses of all speakers will be required to complete the submission. Please note speakers appearing in multiple speaking opportunities should use the same email address for all. You will find an overview of the Cvent Form here |
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5. Evaluation The ACPC will meet and review all proposal submissions and issue feedback in Mid/end December, which will be positive, negative or conditional acceptance. Those receiving a conditional acceptance will have a month to make the requested changes in order to receive a positive outcome. |
Travelling Exhibitions Showcase proposal
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FORMULATE YOUR PITCH Share the title and a brief description of your exhibition, and include when it will be available. You’ll then find a few additional questions to answer about your exhibition. You will find an overview of the Submission Form here |   |
Describe and use photos to show us your best hands-on activities where participants can either make things, build things, play with things or experiment. We are particularly interested in seeing new ideas and practical ideas & tools which participants can take home and implement. You will find an overview of the Submission Form here |
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Inspiration Bazaar proposal |
Share your title and tell us about your resource, project, or activity that could inspire others.
We’re especially interested in new ideas that participants can adapt in their own work. You will find an overview of the Submission Form here |  |
We will be hosting live online help sessions for anyone interested in submitting to speak at the 2026 Ecsite Conference.
- Call to Speak - Webinar for new speakers at 2026 Ecsite Conference - suited for people who have never spoken at the Ecsite Conference before
- Call to Speak - Speakers networking - an interactive webinar to find colleagues to submit with or sessions to join
- Call to Speak - Webinar to shape proposals for the 2026 Ecsite Conference - suited for those working on a proposal or have already spoken at the Conference
See our Events Calendar for more information and how to register here
Important Information for Speakers
Please ensure you have read the following information before submitting a proposal to speak
- There are four free Speakers passes per Deep Dive workshop valid on the morning of 2 June only.
- A person could be a Speaker and/or Facilitator at a maximum of three sessions (plus one Deep Dive workshops).
- Please avoid resubmitting sessions presented in previous Ecsite Conferences.
- This is an open and honest peer learning moment, sharing failures and learnings is a good thing.
Sessions must be updated in line with ACPC feedback by the agreed deadline to be included in the provisional programme.
- Final programme changes must be submitted by the agreed deadline to be included in the final programme.
- Ecsite may adjust session titles, summaries, and topic tags.
- Each session must have at least three speakers representing different organisations and countries.
- Speakers must register to attend the Conference by 8th April 2026; sessions with unregistered speakers may be withdrawn from the programme.
- Only content, images, videos, and data may be presented that you have created or have permission to share and always credit sources.
- Unless part of an Ecsite-designed commercial showcase or a sponsored session, presentations must remain free of direct or indirect selling, product demonstrations, or promotional pitches.
- Unfortunately, the Programming Committee are unable to enter into discussions about the outcome of the assessment process.
- If you have read to here and you still have a question, please contact us at speakers@ecsite.eu and we will be very happy to help you.
Ecsite, 89/7, Avenue Louise, Louizalaan, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium VAT number: BE0443 655 135 |  Follow us on social media
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