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.
Is every interactive exhibit ‘hands-on’? Is every hands-on exhibit truly interactive? Which ‘immersive experiences’ could be considered interactive? Should every interactive exhibit be didactic? How often do we allow didacticism to spoil...
Networking & Partnerships
Marc MoutinAna NoronhaAna NoronhaRob van den BergMarc MoutinMaría Menéndez
This Ecsite inaugural workshop focusing on space will highlight collaborations between the European Space Agency (ESA) and museums and science centres across Europe. Together we will collect feedback and will start developing future space-themed...
A group from different science centres is getting together for a week of collaborative hands-on learning focused on exhibit development and fabrication in June 2012. Before we start building our exhibits, we are seeking your critiques and advice...
Michèle ANTOINELaurent CarrierMaja WasylukGrichka RedjalaJörg Ehtreiber
The methodology used in the development of exhibitions is strongly tinged with the “word culture”, language and literacy. The starting point is usually a scientific text (lato sensu), usually embodied in articles, which leads to...
This is a showcase of collaborative projects each described in a poster and presented by one participant. The showcase runs outside the confines of conference sessions in a special reserved timeslot — during an extended coffee break on the...
Research, theory & evaluation
Jen DeWittSandra MartellPaola RodariKirsten EllenbogenHeather King
This session will explore and explain how key ideas and findings emerging from academic research can inform practice in museums and science centres. Summaries of contemporary research will be offered, including a look at their implications, and...
Michèle ANTOINEManuel CiraMichele LanzingerIlse van Zeeland
Scientific research is undergoing a slow transformation characterized by openness to civil society and transparency of its methods and findings. This is being driven by a growing commitment to sustainable development and society’s...
Erik JacquemynOle WeberJennifer MartinAntonia Caola
Renewing a permanent exhibition in whole or in part is a common task for employees in science museums and science centers. To tap the full potential of a reopening and avoid the associated pitfalls different issues should be considered: How can...
Networking & Partnerships
What is Europe 2020 Strategy? And what is Horizon 2020? The European Union has launched a new strategy that impacts the work of organisations involved in science communication. This workshop will give an insight on the new objectives of the EU,...
Research, theory & evaluation
Holly HastedHolly HastedEmily DawsonJin A KimTessa van SchijndelMarianne AchiamAmy SeakinsMarie Hobson
The development and implementation of innovative approaches in research and evaluation is essential for improving the experience of our visitors. How can we think outside-the-box? How can we collaborate with colleagues from different departments...
Naomi HaywoodHolly HastedEmily DawsonAndrea Bandelli
Why do some people visit science centres and museums while others do not? How can science centres and museum be inclusive in their own governance? What do visitors and non-visitors have to say? This panel session examines whether science centres...
Marketing & communication
Pär MauritzsonKatrina NilssonZuzanna LigowskaLuigi Amodio
The core age groups that visit our institutions are younger than 14 or older than 20. Visitors between 14 and 20 are notoriously hard to reach. It is imperative that we do reach them, however, because they are on the cusp of deciding what...
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