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.
Explainers & visitor services
Ana NoronhaPenny FidlerMarc Moutin
This official Ecsite Space Group session explores how space science and technology can raise public awareness on the responsible use of water and food.
Seen from far away, Earth is a pale blue dot. This is our spaceship, with its limited...
Explainers & visitor services
Mikko MyllykoskiJoachim LerchVincenzo LipardiCarlos Catalao Alves
Join a special “buffet” for a science popularization fest. Formats for science popularisation programmes are exploding today all around the word: science festivals, picnic, days, weeks, happenings, etc.
Promoted by science centres, science...
Explainers & visitor services
Marjolein van BreemenKaren DaviesAnne Kahr HällmanVarda Gur Ben Shitrit
Museums and science centres increasingly involve themselves in psychological and educational research. The type of research initiated greatly varies within and among centres. Research ranges from theory-motivated academic studies on the one side...
Heather FarnworthLisa R TucciGail SymingtonDidier LavalBruno Araújo-Gomes
It takes more than a great idea or unique collection to produce a traveling exhibition other science centres will want to host. This session will uncover what it takes to get started in touring exhibitions. We will cover:
The...
Research, theory & evaluation
Bernadette SchrandtSiëlle GramserAndrea GironRegan Forrest
We eat for all sorts of reasons: a hurried breakfast meets a physiological need; a leisurely meal with family and friends meets a social and spiritual one. Similarly, visitors to museums and other educational leisure settings come with a variety...
Explainers & visitor services
Marjelle van HoornKaren DaviesMarjolein van BreemenNils Petter HauanMarie HobsonSally Collins
How can science museums and centres create memorable experiences that inspire students about science and the natural world and that also support the school curriculum, without any facilitator? What does the perfect self-guided school experience...
Explainers & visitor services
Ramon SanguesaIrene Lapuente AguilarLaurence HumierMoritz Moritz StefanerSusanne Jaschko
Food can help us learn about science and about food itself. We’ll explore novel methods to engage audiences with a familiar material and to show scientific ideas and processes. This will allow us to:
1. visualise scientific data
2. stimulate...
Explainers & visitor services
Ian SimmonsIan RussellJana BittnerováPeeranut KanhadilokKaterina Ruban
Children’s toys are uniquely successful in attracting and holding children’s interest, stimulating their curiosity, empowering their creativity and inspiring their imagination.
Surely, as professional communicators of science, technology,...
Explainers & visitor services
Matteo MerzagoraKamil RogulskiMaria Xanthoudaki
In this reverse session, explainers and other staff responsible for face-to-face interaction on the exhibition floor are invited to reflect on the trends and future challenges of our field. What might be the implications for daily practice, or...
Explainers & visitor services
Weronika ŚliwaThomas KraupeMaciej MuchaAnna ÖstMarc Moutin
Sometimes in a science centre or nearby there is one huge exhibit: a planetarium, hosting at least a few dozen visitors simultaneously. How to treat it? Is it a separate place with distinct aims from the rest of the science centre or does it...
Louise WindfeldtAiyana HudginsHeidrun SchulzeSpela Godec
Many people think that science is not for people like them: they are not the ‘right’ gender, they do not have the ‘right’ background, or they are perhaps not ‘good enough’ students. In this session, we will highlight why thinking about identities...
Explainers & visitor services
Heather KingEmma PegramJustin DillonHenrik SellIlse van ZeelandPreeti Gupta
Natural history museums are more than simple storehouses – they share a mission of promoting appreciation, understanding and conservation of the natural world. But are we getting this across to our visitors?
In this reverse session, round tables...
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