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.
Ana Rita Claro RodriguesDebora NucciJulia PittsRoger KneeboneEsther Hamstra
Immersion is a new trend in visitor experiences, but what does it look and feel like? Get engrossed in this showcase of a variety of immersive concepts which use rich environments, strong narratives and sensory engagement to create personal,...
Sergio CagolTalila YehielPeter SlavenburgJane Rayner
Audio guides, video guides and other apps are not very common in science museums. App experiences on mobile devices can provide an opportunity for visitors to engage with exhibitions pre-, in-, and post-visit, enhancing their overall museum...
Marketing & communication
Joanna KalinowskaAnna DziamaEnrico TombesiAnna RedaelliPatricia Verheyden
This session will present a few short examples of cooperation between science centres and corporations. An expert from each science centre involved and the coordinator of the partnership will gather for a joint presentation.
Each pair will first...
Yuri MattemanAlison BoyleLauren NemroffPatrizia Famà
Science centres and museums aim at tickling the curiosity of visitors, provoking questions and scientific thinking. A unique strength is that we can offer the public real objects, real experiences and real examples.
This can be challenging. Some...
Research, theory & evaluation
Rosalia VargasPer-Edvin PerssonPer-Edvin Persson
This presentation summarizes the scientific literature on the impact of science centres on their respective communities, with a focus on learning and education, local economic development and community development. These effects contribute to the...
Marketing & communication
Julie BeckerOlivier Retout
When mainstream media report on art exhibitions, they tend to publish in-depth reviews by specialists commenting not only on the art on show itself, but also on curator choices like narrative, object selection or design. When it comes to science...
Kayte McSweeneyJessica BradfordSonja NeumannMarie Hobson
Objects are at the heart of science museums, but they very rarely speak for themselves. They may be historically unique or significant to those that understand them, but to others they can seem banal and disconnected from any meaning. These...
Explainers & visitor services
Michael CreekAliki GiannakopoulouMaria Xanthoudaki
Science centres and museums often resort to competitions as a way to engage young people, using prizes as incentives and finding original ways to get kids involved with the museum. In European projects, they can also be a go-to solution for the...
Explainers & visitor services
Malvina ArtheauMarc Jamous
Most of us don’t have the time to try out many serious games. We might have tried a couple of them and have gotten discouraged by their poor quality, or, lest say it, because we got bored. Time consuming, unequal quality: it doesn’t really...
Explainers & visitor services
Richard HoughtonRebecca CaswellTessa van SchijndelJoe MartinClara Lim
Each child is unique and their learning processes are complex. Furthermore, children in their early years vary widely in their stages of growth and development. How can we create situations and environments that address childrens’ unique...
Jamie BellLouise Julie BertrandDominique BotbolMichael Bradke
What would happen if exhibition designers used music as a conceptual trigger and creative constraint? Music and exhibitions share some characteristics: Listening to music and visiting an exhibition happen over time, in varying tempos, in dense...
Research, theory & evaluation
Anneli PaulLim Tit MengRosalia VargasJohn Falk
Although science centres have long asserted their critical role in supporting science engagement, learning and attitudes of the public, comprehensive data to support these claims are limited. This session will describe the International Science...
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