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.
María MenéndezAna NoronhaTobias WolffCatherine FrancheChristophe ChaffardonTobias WolffTina IbsenAudrey KorczynskaGuillaume TrapDaniel ScukaBarbara BudassiAna NoronhaRobert MeisnerAnna Arnadottir
This workshop is organised by the European Space Agency – ESA – and the Ecsite Space Group, the Ecsite thematic group that aims to improve and extend...
Mikko MyllykoskiANA MARIA NAVAS IANNINIJussi KahlosErminia Pedretti
This workshop session will cover the topics of scientific literacy, science communication and science exhibition typologies. Through the exploration of a controversial science exhibit about mental health we will invite participants to reflect...
Mariana Arjona SoberónCatherine OualianLorenz KampschulteRiina LinnaTim van WesselKrista Leusink
Uncertainty is an inherent part of the scientific process. For our audiences, however, uncertainty and science often do not mix, as evidenced by the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. Science engagement organisations can play a role in empowering...
Welcome to the 2022 Ecsite Conference’s official start. Expect speeches by officials, host and Ecsite representatives. And... the winners of the 2022 Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards will be revealed!
Research, theory & evaluation
Marios PapaevripidouYvoni PavlouShaun UssherKatarzyna Potega vel Zabik
Transforming science education to address 21st century challenges is one of the top priorities of our field. Evaluation is a key component to ensure the successful development and application of relevant initiatives. However, it is often...
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...
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 PillsburyMikko Myllykoski
Come, take a stand, and win others on your side. House of Commons engages you to take part in debating the burning issues of our field. Everybody is an MP at the Ecsite Parliament!
The Speakers of the House of Commons – will present...
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...
Ines MontalvaoDaniel RosqvistClaire PillsburyCarla Molins-PitarchMarco MirandaMichael Bradke
In this two-part, in-depth session, we would like to know where participants stand when it comes to prototyping - what it encompasses in theoretical terms and also in practice. Through a deeper understanding of this concept and how we approach it...
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...
Thierry BrassacMargot COICMichael BradkeAnna Gunnarsson
During the pandemic, science centres adopted a special role in children's daily lives. They proposed a platform to play with science at home but were also responsible for an important relay of information in a time of disinformation. Now that we...
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