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.
Christina ClassenChristian HaugDavy ChampionElsa BaileyChristel LE DELLIOU
Children need boundaries – even in science centres and museums. They need a corner or a room dedicated to them; detailed guidance to be able to properly interact with exhibits; a step-by-step list of how to craft take-home objects; a scenography...
Sebastian MartinLiam NilsenSebastian UribeMartin SwiftKathrin KöstersRyan JenkinsStefania Druga
Digital technology has long been a part of science centres’ and museums’ exhibits, programmes and activities. The recent surge of interest in MakerSpaces and introduction of new tools have led to opportunities for creating playful, open-ended and...
Mingle with other first-time delegates and meet a few conference old-timers who will be sharing their tips and tricks to make the most of the Ecsite conference.
Join this informal breakfast for a refreshing start to intense hectic...
Dacha AtienzaWiebke RössigDiana Escobar VicentMichiel BuchelLing Lee
Societies are changing, new challenges are emerging and citizens increasingly want to be considered and meaningfully involved in the search for solutions. Living labs, fabrication labs, science shops and citizen science programmes support an...
Lizzy BakkerBernhard KehrerAmparo Leyman PinoJochen HungerStefan FahrngruberBrad MacDonaldPaul OrselliHolly HastedMaarten TaborskyBob Van CleemputteAdam Boal
During this session, Experimentarium’s rooftop will turn into a verbal playground, in which we will jam with ideas, improvise, and be as creative as we can be. The principle is simple: everyone gets one minute to share an idea that they’ve had...
Raphael ChanayJulie BeckerMarie HobsonPaolo Degiovanni
Warning: session taking place at the Interactive theater (and not Movie House 4 as announced in the printed programme).
Signals sent by our field’s leaders are clear: yes, we want to do our share and contribute to...
Harry WhiteSarah de LauneyDeepak MehtaSarah de LauneyAnna SkrzypekMaja WasylukHarry WhiteGabriele Zipf
How can exhibitions of potential futures avoid the pitfalls of prediction? This session will start with six 5-minute case study presentations in which exhibit developers will describe their own futureproofing processes.
Methods include:...
Research, theory & evaluation
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Ilona Iłowiecka-TańskaRoy SchedlerLisa BrahmsWenche FivelsdalAleksandra Wójcik-Głodowska
Many museums throughout the world have developed learning research centres not only to advance the mission of the institution but also to support their business model. These centres serve multiple purposes: they uniquely impact the programming...
Join us for light yoga on the roof of Experimentarium.
Get ready for the conference day with a short yoga workout on the roof before sessions begin.
All you need to bring is clothes you can comfortably move in. ...
Bálint Balázs Leonardo de la Torre ÁvilaMaria Jesus PinazoShailaja BaichooMarjolein ZweekhorstMichael Søgaard Jørgensen
The Science Shop movement has 40 years of experience in developing innovative and often experimental models to channel social demands into research topics. In various countries, Science Shops support socially innovative local communities to...
Carmen FenollosaAliki GiannakopoulouMaya HalevyJeroen Wiegertjes
In 2015 EU Commissioner Carlos Moedas defined three strategic priorities for European Research and Innovation: Open Innovation, Open Science, and Openness to the World. Open Science is the movement to make scientific research, data and...
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