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.
Carina JaatinenLee Skolnick, FAIASuzanne MacLeodMikko Myllykoskiludovic Maggioni
Like “storytelling”, the word “narrative” has been applied to everything and is starting to lose all its meaning. But for those of us who seek to create experiences that inform and enlighten, narrative has become an effective ‘go-to’ approach....
John SearRichard Houghton
The GameLab brings together people who are working with games and play in science centres and museums. They are experienced at creating games which range from real world escape rooms to virtual reality adventures, community game hacks to...
Antonio Gomes da CostaBarbara StreicherRichard-Emmanuel EASTESChristel LE DELLIOU
Denying science and scientific facts and refusing rational and logical thought are becoming common attitudes. Fierce debates regarding issues like vaccination, climate change or GMOs take center stage in the media, at the same time as mystical...
Leonel AlegrePer-Edvin PerssonNuno Ferrand de AlmeidaHernán Crespo Bermejo
According to the physicist and museographer Jorge Wagensberg, conversation – with reality, with other people or with ourselves – is a fundamental process in the acquisition of new knowledge. Wagensberg gave conversation such great importance that...
Brad IrwinKarsten Elmose VadRobert DunnCaren Cooper
Citizen science has come to play an increasing role both in science itself and in the engagement of the public in the scientific process. The last decade has seen a maturation of the field, with the formation of new professional societies,...
Leonel AlegreRoberta MansurInes MontalvaoSusan HolmesAlisson BoiffardHerve Groscarret
Interactivity has always been part of the science centre's DNA and is now common in many types of museums. However, it doesn't necessarily take into consideration visitors' emotional journey. The concept of experience design recently started to...
The Ecsite MakerSpace is a physical location at the conference centre curated by a group of tinkerers and educators from all over the world. In this inspiring environment full of tools, materials and demonstrations, we’ll present hands-on...
Thierry BrassacJacinta MoonsÅsa HusbergDidier PERRETJonathan Toubeau
Let’s look at matter with either particle physics, biology or chemistry glasses on. Discover four games or interactives succeeding to explain the invisible.
Wondering what the GameLab is? This is...
Martin KulhawczukNoel JacksonIan RussellMarco MirandaJohn DowneyPedro PomboSamar D. KirreshElin RobertsKai Håkon SundeChiara TrevisinRannvei SætherAstrid WaraPeeranut Kanhadilok
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar. Here dozens of creative and hands-on table-top activities await science explainers and other science enthusiasts, whether new to the profession or seasoned. At each station, make things, build things or play with...
Marianne PougetMarianne PougetArmin DuffSami PihkalaAurélie CHENELRan PelegMalka YayonPippa Hough
Many artistic and cultural places are taking inspiration from escape games for the design of their exhibitions and hands-on activities in order to engage (young) audiences attracted by storytelling and gamified content.
In this session, we...
Mingle with other first-time delegates and meet a few conference old-timers who will be sharing their tips and tricks to make the most of the Ecsite conference.
Join this informal breakfast for a refreshing start to intense hectic...
Justin DillonTania JenkinsMaartje KijneYamama NaciriHenrik Sell
Evolution is the cornerstone of modern biology and is central to the public understanding of science. Scientific literacy in evolution is crucial if citizens are to make informed decisions on societal issues including climate change, food...
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