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.
Joseph RocheLaura BellFabiana Zollo
Commitment: 21st century skills
How can we make social media more credible and reliable?...
Abi AshtonSanne den AdelVanessa MignanAlexia SonnoisMeie van LaarKathrin KöstersAna Ramos
Commitment: Equity & inclusion
The Equity@Ecsite workgroup created a Framework for diversity, equity, access and inclusion (DEAI), which was test-piloted with 17 pioneer...
Christian SichauChristian SichauMaarten TaborskyMette Stentoft Therkildsen
Commitment: Climate & biodiversity crisis
Sustainability is a pressing issue today – not only as a topic for the exhibitions we are showing, but increasingly also with the regard to the production of the exhibitions...
Julia WoitheRahel BruggerHelena BååthNina SvenssonJulia Woithe
Commitment: 21st century skills
This session will start with a brief introduction of the speakers and their respective institutions, including their online escape game or treasure hunt activities. Then, we will assign...
Vanessa MignanCristina Veiga-PiresSimona CerratoLuis Alberto de Sousa GonçalvesEva Durall
What a year! We all remember how it started; we closed our doors, we had to protect collections and jobs, and tried reaching out to our audiences. We went in all directions; adapting programmes, creating new online content, trying different...
Maren KrumdieckMartyn Best Audrey KorczynskaStacy WakefordPatricia Verheyden
This is part two of a pecha kucha-type session whereby new science centres, science museums, exhibitions... that are currently in the start up and/or design phase will be presented. Presenters will give a short overview of their project. What are...
Armin DuffMeie van LaarClaire PillsburyKim Ludwig-PetschJulien Bobroff
We all use smartphones, every day – but few are aware of their potential for science and science education. The numerous built-in sensors turn any mobile device into a mobile lab, which enables visitors to experiment and measure physical...
Gène BertrandCecilia EkstrandSigurd HunstadTorhild SkåtunGiasemi VavoulaStamatina Anastopoulou
Commitment: 21st century skills
“We need to replace old education standards with an educational framework that combines knowledge with the 21st century skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication and...
We may be apart, but the spirit of Ecsite must live on!
To close day one of the Conference, join us for the first ever Ecsite goes Eurovision - a musical extravaganza and competition as members from across our community perform their...
Ben WardKate KnealeDafni Konstantinidi SofronaAnnabella ZamoraAndy Keenan
Commitment: Equity & inclusion
One in five people live with some form of disability or disease; this is a huge proportion of the population. For many this can be a barrier to engaging with physical locations. New...
Catherine OualianMarjan DoomNathalie PuzenatAlain GloorAisling Murray
The Covid-19 crisis and its "infodemics" brought critical thinking issues back to the forefront. The crisis made clear how little sight on science and scientific thinking makes science extremely vulnerable for mistrust.
What strategies...
Explainers & visitor services
Join Copernicus Science Center on a journey into astronavigation, from old ways of Vikings to modern methods used by astronauts during missions to the moon. We will dive into old myths of medieval warriors from the north and we will reach stars...
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