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.
Anna SchaefersAmparo Leyman PinoBaerbel AuffermannTibisay Sankatsing NavaShelly ValdezElizabeth RasekoalaCaroline TurreEsme WardOleksiy Karamanov
The debate on how to decolonise our museums, collections and exhibitions is strong and ongoing. The question of how, if or when objects collected in colonial contexts should be returned to their countries of origin is just one of many. Are our...
Explainers & visitor services
Hilde De LaetElina RaudseppHilde De LaetTina Kralj
How can communication with your visitors strengthen their visit and your brand? Authentic hospitality is extremely important for science organisations to give visitors an unforgettable experience and to have more fun in your everyday work. The...
Explainers & visitor services
Catherine OualianMarta KaminskaHiljanne van der MeerChristian Haug
Mobile applications, augmented reality, interactive devices... digital tools are omnipresent in science centres and museums. This presents challenges, but it can also provide opportunities. Human facilitation cannot continue in the same way as it...
Marketing & communication
Elin Ravndal BellSiri VinjeMikko MyllykoskiSheena LaursenDorothée VatinelSiri Vinje
Why do the majority of local people wait until they have guests before they visit our organisations when we’re right here on their doorstep?
The target of this session is to try to find out best practice on how to attract more visitors....
Sharon AmentKaren PetersonJennifer BreslinAnita Krishnamurthi
Less than 25% of computer science and engineering students are women and far fewer graduate and pursue careers in those fields (National Science Board, 2018). Women remain drastically underrepresented in many STEM fields and these numbers are...
Research, theory & evaluation
Louisa FoxSanne den AdelShaaron Levermentben johnsonCristin Dorgelo
What is the current profile of the science organisation sector and how do we know this? How can we use this information to inform action and decision-making? There are many initiatives aiming to improve equity of access to the informal science...
Rae OstmanElizabeth BagleyRae OstmanChris DunfordFriso Visser
The ultimate goal of involving our communities in shaping the kind of future we want to live in is highly sought-after. Using the UN sustainable development goals as a framework, this highly interactive workshop focuses on creating and...
Jurij KrpanHerbert MuenderCatherine FrancheSharon Ament
Welcome to the conference's official start.
Expect speeches by officials, host and Ecsite representatives. And... the winners of the 2020 Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards will be revealed!
Malvina ArtheauWiktor GajewskiAudrey KorczynskaRaquel da Cunha
Are you juggling priorities each day, struggling to keep up a healthy lifestyle, a fulfilling career, an Instagrammable home environment and strong relationships? Welcome to this session! For most societies, working conditions have been improving...
Marketing & communication
David ReeceDavid ReeceFrancesca Di Nuzzo
Admission tickets, special events, memberships, merchandise, food... almost all public-receiving organisations charge their visitors at some point. But how do we know when the price is right? Setting the right price and communicating it...
Rui QuintaAnna SchaefersClayton CutajarClaudia AguirreAude LestyMariana Cardoso
How do you create exhibitions that promote experimentation, co-construction of knowledge, the feeling of well-being and strengthen the emotional connection of the visitors with the exhibition space? Can plural narratives help people connect with...
Camilla ThamAisling MurrayMaria João FonsecaWiktor Gajewski
We are living in a critical period, referred to by many as the Anthropocene. This defines not only our impact on the planet, but our awareness and influence in shaping the future. How can we truly engage audiences so that they feel like key...
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