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.
Claire PillsburyAndreas HeineckeBernd HoltwickTheano Moussouri
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our lives and their versatility offers great potential for visitors and museums. They can be used to deepen visitor engagement, personalise a visit, record visitors’ unique paths and where they spend time,...
Meredith DobyPeter BishopKristin AlfordMeredith DobyMikko Myllykoski
Thinking about the future is fundamentally important for people of all ages. How can we as science engagement organisations provide a platform for this thinking? Three museum practitioners and a professional Futurist share their future thinking...
Meredith DobyPeter BishopKristin AlfordMikko Myllykoski
Following the "Future thinking in science centres: methods" session, you are invited to join the speakers in the GameLab. A unique opportunity to attend a sample lesson in future thinking, try out...
Koen PetersEugeen van WeesCatherine MurphyDirk Bertels
Personalisation, storytelling, participatory strategies: the exhibition designer of the 21st century needs to know all these techniques to communicate science information effectively. But what about the role of atmospherics? How does it interact...
Gillian ThomasTrautmann CharlieLeigh-Anne StradeskiGillian ThomasKirsten EllenbogenHanne Haack LarsenTrautmann CharlieLeigh-Anne Stradeski
Every manager, whether a first time one or a CEO, can achieve greater impact if they have a good working relationship with their own manager. Agreement on strategic projects as well as daily tactical work are critical and can occur most easily...
Carmen FenollosaJulie BeckerRyan JenkinsSebastian MartinHanne Haack LarsenJulie BeckerRaquel da CunhaCarmen FenollosaNathalie CiminoMai Nguyen
The planet needs vocal green superheroes - but it also needs discreet green fairies, working in the shadows and corners of our workplaces without necessarily waiting for top-down change or elaborate organisation-wide sustainability plans. Is...
Maria João FonsecaMargaret Wertheim
Your opportunity to engage in conversation with science writer, artist and curator Margaret Wertheim after hearing her keynote in the previous time slot.
Can't get enough? Also...
Malvina ArtheauRaquel da CunhaWiktor GajewskiAlejandro MancillaVesna Pajić
Occupational burnout occurs in all professions and ours is no exception. Many in our line of work root their motivation in values, a sense of mission and the people they serve. But sometimes we...
A networking highlight!
Ecsite invites all participants to come together for a drink among exhibitors' booths.
Traditionally exhibitors bring specialities from their home countries.
Research, theory & evaluation
Joana Lobo AntunesGioia MoslerMalvina ArtheauDaniela De AngeliIain ColemanLiesbeth de BakkerDerek FishRobert WestNatt DayIndrayani Ghangrekar
Collaborations between science centres and universities can provide effective routes to success, as well as rewarding experiences for both sides. But where to start? What to aim for? How to build the necessary bridges? Answers to these questions...
Manuel CiraMalvina ArtheauManuel CiraMalvina ArtheauBernard Combes
When it comes to the environment, it can be a challenge for us to go beyond education, through to engagement, all the way to advocacy. Join us for this dynamic, collaborative workshop session where you will experience a new set of tools: first as...
Ryan JenkinsJenny CarlssonChristof BörnerAndreas Matt
In this hands-on tinkering session we will explore computational tinkering, a playful open ended approach to digital tools. We’ll try out activities that combine crafting with physical materials with digital tools like block-based programming...
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