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.
Monika MayerDaniel Rosqvist
In this drop-in session, take the opportunity to meet with fellow museum professionals and makers and learn about all things tinkering and making.
Come by at any time during the session to explore the Ecsite Conference’s MakerSpace, hang...
Kenneth SkeldonNiek D'HondtLizzy BakkerSaskia Noordhuis
Science engagement is often so full-on. Whether it’s the physical spaces or the active formats we use, our world is packed with vibrancy, information and interactivity. But have we gone too far? Have we left behind balanced experiences? Do we...
Audrey O'ConnellMichał BuławaTim PethickManuel RocaHeidi RosenströmKathrin KöstersTérésa RibeyronHélène WangAgnes Ruizcoleen quisenberryRachel SturgisDimitris KontopoulosMaarten OkkersenFelicity SylvesterCere DavisTroy Rainville
A preview of current and upcoming touring science exhibitions across Europe and the world. This fast-paced session will give you a glimpse of a large range of exhibitions on offer, leaving it up to you to make contacts and find out more.
...
Kate KnealeDaniela De AngeliJohn SearRan PelegMalvina ArtheauRannei Solbak SimonsenClaudia Sodini
Let’s investigate and reinterpret the Experimentarium science centre, venue of this Ecsite Conference, through the lens of a fun and inspiring two-day workshop. Inspired by the Museomix...
Kate KnealeJohn SearMalvina ArtheauRan PelegDaniela De Angeli
The GameLab is an informal space dedicated to gaming.
It will be open throughout the three days of the Ecsite Conference (even during coffee and lunch breaks). It is a drop-in space, with an exciting mix of workshops and demonstrations as...
Explainers & visitor services
Paola RodariGiacomo SannaMassimiliano TrevisanAndreja Perat
Taking science centre activities outside our buildings and into vans and buses is not completely new, but this practice has evolved over the past few years: there is a deeper awareness of the social inclusion agenda and its impacts on our...
Henrik SellCarole PalecoThomas B BergMarianne AchiamBrian Degn MårtenssonJuliette FritschStefan Leiner
How do we ignite action among our visitors and make them reflect on causes and effects?
The world is facing major challenges in terms of local and global environmental problems. These are problems that worry many people and can seem...
Jane PickeringMaria João FonsecaChris NorrisJanet Stott
The power of natural history collections as tools for scientific enquiry lies in their sheer size. But how do we convey this to visitors? Conventional approaches that treat these collections like art pieces, using small numbers of selected...
Patricia VerheydenMikko MyllykoskiAntonio Gomes da CostaAndrea DurhamTom RockwellMarilena Pace
What is the future of science engagement? Will science centres stay relevant in engaging the public with science? Or should we focus on programmes and outreach activities? Will artificial intelligence take over from human educators or is virtual...
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Ida Marie BøeJen DeWittAnna SandvenMeie van LaarCybèle Robichaud
This session will address the thorny question of how to juggle the multiple demands placed on tinkering spaces. For instance, how can we create rewarding experiences for visitors but also high-performance, durable and easy-to-operate spaces? How...
Audrey O'ConnellChris HarrisPetra RotthoffMilada FiserovaMarianne PougetKaterina ChabovaAndreas WaschkCatherine JohnsonAmy Noble SeitzAnna OmedesYihsuan LinHakan LidboAndreas HeineckeJuanita Schläpfer-MillerJole MartinenghiElmar Reinhold
A preview of current and upcoming touring science exhibitions across Europe and the world. This fast-paced session will give you a glimpse of a large range of exhibitions on offer, leaving it up to you to make contacts and find out more.
...
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