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.
Justin DillonTania JenkinsMaartje KijneYamama NaciriHenrik Sell
Evolution is the cornerstone of modern biology and is central to the public understanding of science. Scientific literacy in evolution is crucial if citizens are to make informed decisions on societal issues including climate change, food...
Enjoy a giant Swiss Fondue at the Patinoire des Vernets, Geneva's ice rink.
A convivial way to discover Switzerland, enjoying a gastronomic dish you cook yourself! An authentic cheese fondue from Fribourg, as smooth and creamy as you like...
Elizabeth McGregor JacobidesPeter WardripDaniel RosqvistAlina NatmessnigPedro Pombo
While making and tinkering currently occupy mostly informal environments (museums, libraries, MakerSpaces etc) it has exciting potential in outreach to and integration into formal learning environments. Bringing making/tinkering into schools and...
Jörg EhtreiberSarai LenzbergerPilvi KolkIan Simmons
Visitors, especially families and schools, often understand our institutions to be absolutely liable and we are frequently confronted with claims for compensation. This session will explore the difficulties curators and exhibition designers face...
Camilla Rossi-LinnemannGiulia de MartiniJohn DurantKaren WilkinsonLim Tit Mengpatrizia ceruttiSamar D. KirreshMaria PfeiferMarina LeonardSamuela CaliariVincenzo Napolano
Today, the world of scientific research and innovation is asked to connect more closely to society, embracing the concept of responsibility and working towards models of cooperation and interrelation.
Consequently, science engagement...
Yuri MattemanJuliette Walma van der MolenNellie KonijnendijkSara TougaardAnna Starkey
Every science engagement initiative seems to aim at sparking curiosity and inquiry thinking in audiences. Curiosity is considered key driver for science and inquiry, but what do we actualy mean by 'curiosity'?
The scientific literature...
Leonel AlegrePer-Edvin PerssonNuno Ferrand de AlmeidaHernán Crespo Bermejo
According to the physicist and museographer Jorge Wagensberg, conversation – with reality, with other people or with ourselves – is a fundamental process in the acquisition of new knowledge. Wagensberg gave conversation such great importance that...
Barbara StreicherMarkus WeißkopfPhilipp BurkardAleksandra Drecun
This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of coordinating collaborations with a nationwide scope and compare solutions in different European countries. What kind of projects need national collaborations? What are the challenges...
Brad IrwinKarsten Elmose VadRobert DunnCaren Cooper
Citizen science has come to play an increasing role both in science itself and in the engagement of the public in the scientific process. The last decade has seen a maturation of the field, with the formation of new professional societies,...
John SearRichard Houghton
The GameLab brings together people who are working with games and play in science centres and museums. They are experienced at creating games which range from real world escape rooms to virtual reality adventures, community game hacks to...
The Ecsite MakerSpace is a physical location at the conference centre curated by a group of tinkerers and educators from all over the world. In this inspiring environment full of tools, materials and demonstrations, we’ll present hands-on...
Maarten OkkersenSteven SchaekenAstrid Sonneville-DingsSophie Wisbrun-Overakker
Recent theories suggest that the only brands to survive are those with a purpose, that create a positive impact for planet and people. They therefore need new ways of connecting to consumers. Purposeful brands could form creative collisions with...
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