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.
Marjolein van BreemenAlexandra BurchMaren KrumdieckAnnemarie van Eekeren
Museums and science centres have well-established business models and forms of delivery – and whilst these have been successful, we must remain alert to changes within the societies in which we operate and which we intend to serve. As we look to...
Catherine GanzlebenIan MarnaneCaroline WhalleyJoana Lobo VicenteAndromachi Katsonouri-Sazeides
We live longer and are healthier than ever, enjoying the 21st century’s many conveniences. Chemistry and the use of different chemicals have played an important role in shaping society and improving our standard of living. But do we understand...
Daniel RosqvistOlle BjerkåsSamar D. KirreshInka de PijperYihsuan Lin
In this conversation corner session, we’ll focus on the grand challenge facing us in making our way of life compliant with the limitations of our planet. In this crucial and exciting endeavour, how can we as educators, tinkerers and makers make a...
Laura SmillieJochen HungerHolly HastedHedinn Gunhildrud
When it comes to busting myths and tackling tricky issues, science communicators are armed to the teeth with the necessary tools to inform and educate. Or are they? If science is so great, why do so many pseudoscientists succeed in selling their...
The substantial extension and refurbishment of Experimentarium, which re-opened its doors in 2017, future-proofs the science centre as a significant cultural destination. The project doubled the exhibition area with a total of 18 interactive...
Remco MolenaarBart van den BergMike GandertonMette Stentoft TherkildsenKaren Drost
Personalisation is a strong mechanism to increase the impact of visitor experiences. Not every visitor is the same: think of languages, interests, expectations, knowledge, behaviours or (special) needs. We want to ‘touch’ visitors by creating...
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,...
Amito HaarhuisMaria João FonsecaAnnelore ScholtenRaphael ChanayKen ArnoldTorkil AdsersenKate FordeGeoffrey Belknap
In this session, presenters from many different science museums all over Europe share how they use storytelling to create more context for their heritage collections, and make them come alive. What museological strategies do they use to make...
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...
Carmen FenollosaMaria ZоlоtоnоsаWiktor GajewskiFrank Kupper
With all the discussions and uncertainties around the European Commission's next Research & Innovation funding framework (the so-called “Horizon Europe”), one thing is clear: Responsible Research and Innovation (R.R.I.) as a concept will be...
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...
Martin KulhawczukNoel JacksonIan RussellMarco MirandaJohn DowneyPedro PomboSamar D. KirreshElin RobertsKai Håkon SundeChiara TrevisinRannvei SætherAstrid WaraPeeranut Kanhadilok
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar. Here dozens of creative and hands-on table-top activities await science explainers and other science enthusiasts, whether new to the profession or seasoned. At each station, make things, build things or play with...
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