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.
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...
Explainers & visitor services
Giasemi VavoulaCecilia EkstrandTorhild SkåtunGène BertrandStamatina AnastopoulouCatherine Oualian
Remote and virtual engagements during the pandemic changed how visitors interact with the science centre. In its aftermath, we are left with new digital tools at our disposal to shape experiences that blend digital and physical interactions and...
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...
The Ecsite Annual General Meeting (AGM) is open to all Ecsite members.
Only Full members of Ecsite have voting rights.
Was there simply not enough time to network during the day? Or perhaps you were so engrossed in the sessions and our Keynote speaker that there was no time to connect with peers? And for our colleagues in North, Central and South America it was...
Ryan JenkinsCristina OlivottoAmos BlantonCorinne TakaraEmily TakaraTrisha Sathish
Commitment: Climate & biodiversity crisis
In the past few years many museums have been developing tinkering studios, makerspaces and fablabs as part of their programmes and exhibitions. These spaces can offer ways to...
Matteo VillaMaria XanthoudakiAndrew NewmanHeather King
What do we want visitors to experience when they engage with our exhibitions and programmes? Most would agree that we want them to feel excitement, wonder, and a passion for ‘more!’ But how can we support such emotion-filled experiences...
Research, theory & evaluation
Patricia Willems-MawenuSaskia NuijtenKlaus G. GrunertSara Castillo
A 1/3 of all food produced in the world goes to waste while 800 million people are still undernourished. Yet more food is needed to feed the world’s growing population while maintaining the health of our planet. How can we solve all these...
For those of you accustomed to an Ecsite Conference, you'll know that the Business happy hour is not to be missed! A dedicated moment during the Conference to browse our exhibitors booths, make business and enjoy those memorable 'little extras.'...
Research, theory & evaluation
Mairéad HurleySophie PerryARIS PAPADOPOULOSAutumn Brown
Commitment: 21st century skills
Zines, small handmade booklets, offer an emancipatory way to explore, critique and reflect upon a given topic. These artefacts position the learner as creator, and the evaluator as audience...
Anna SchaefersAmparo Leyman PinoGabriele ZipfElizabeth RasekoalaMariam BachichGeorgina YoungAlexandra AlberdaTibisay Sankatsing NavaDevina LobineCaroline TurreEva TrujilloMicah Parzen
Commitment: Equity & inclusion
This is the 2nd part of a two-part session, part one is...
Mikko MyllykoskiJohn Falk
Based in Corvallis, Oregon, USA, John H. Falk Ph.D is the Director of the Institute for Learning Innovation and Emeritus Sea Grant Professor of Free-Choice Learning at Oregon State University. He is a leading expert on free-choice learning; the...
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