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.
Over the past years, more and more research attention has been paid to science communication so that a vast body of knowledge has developed, offering insights into its potential and workings. At the same time, the community of scicomm...
Marianne AchiamSabrina Vitting-SeerupJustin DillonLuisa MassaraniAntonio Gomes da Costa
Anti-vaxxers, flat earthers and other science sceptic groupings are symptoms of the post-truth era we are experiencing as a global society. Unfortunately, authoritative stances towards such scepticism have been proven counterproductive. In this...
Michèle ANTOINECaroline JulienStephane BerghmansDave PattenAudrey Korczynska
Digital immersive technologies are relatively new in science centres and museums. Their use for educational purposes raises tremendous potential as well as numerous challenges. More and more structures take the leap and invest in temporary...
Gabrielle ZaugBaptiste BureauSarah de LauneyXavier Dominguez Gunnar Behrens
Sustainable development is the greatest challenge of our times. As Camille Pisani pointed out in reflecting on our commitments during the Ecsite Online Conference, "mitigating the impact of climate change needs not only changes in individual and...
An exciting chance to meet with other first-time participants and meet a few Conference veterans and ACPC members who will be sharing their tips and tricks to make the most of the Ecsite Conference. Join this informal breakfast for a refreshing...
Lewis HouJen DeWittVanessa MignanShaun UssherAndrew Newman
Science centres, museums and other spaces are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in their work. For some, this is purely in the interest of reaching new audiences, but for others, such work is part of...
Erik TorstenssonJon HaavieJørn HafverBianca VioletBrenda Shivanandan
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...
Pedro RussoMaria VicenteLaura ConnerStephen POMPEA
Humanity faces many complex and dynamic problems, from global climate change to systemic racism and widening economic inequality. These challenges urgently cry for a culture of plural visions, diversity and shared goals. Museums, science centres...
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 Foundation’s goal to convince...
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...
Christina RühlmannChristof BörnerMeie van LaarKim Ludwig-PetschCecilia EkstrandAlexandra Lang
In this session we will discuss the value of mobile devices for the exhibition context. We believe that “Bring your own device” is far from obsolete! The fear of infection through loan devices has risen sharply; fortunately, visitors have their...
Dorothée VatinelAntonio Gomes da CostaNathanael Jeune
Misinformation, mistrust in science and pseudoscience are among the most difficult and pressing challenges for science communicators. Indeed the role of research, of scientific knowledge and of logical reasoning is far from making part of...
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