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.
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.
Nina Simon is the...
Ran PelegKate KnealeRan Peleg
The GameLab is an informal space entirely dedicated to gaming.
It will be open all day on the conference's three days. It is a drop-in space. There will be games to play, game makers to meet. A different host each day will be present to...
Christine MarizziAnna DławichowskaJoão GonçalvesJantien SchuijerMaria ZоlоtоnоsаAnett RuszanovLucia Martinelli
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This session will explore public engagement methods from four Responsible Research and...
Hans GubbelsErik JacquemynDov BercoviciFrank SteslowHamid Al NaimiyJakub SvrcekMichele LanzingerKim Gladstone HerlevRachael Blackburn
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Setting up a science centre is a challenging and complex task, requiring amongst others...
Bart Van de LaarMonique MouritsJustin DillonKathrin KöstersMairéad Hurleymichael van der meerSevil AkaygunMelita Oven
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Science centres, universities, schools, cities, companies and FabLabs already offer a...
The Farewell Party is the conference's most informal social event: dance, chat, share a drink with other participants...
As Porto gets ready for its traditional Saint John’s street festival, get an anticipated taste of this mini-carnival...
Antonina KhodzhaevaLiesbeth de BakkerDavid SittenfeldMarjoleine van der MeijHelin Haga
“Talking in museums is one of the things that makes them matter, and the way in which we talk in museums is one of the things that define for us what they are.” – Adam Gopnik
Campfires, providing light and warmth, have always...
Antonio Gomes da CostaAliki GiannakopoulouInes PRIETORosina Malagrida
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It is often said that school is a mirror of our society. Is this true though? We live in...
Pernille HjortDaniele Di DomenicoThomas B BergMalka YayonRan Peleg
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There is an increasing demand on museums and science centres to attract more visitors....
Explainers & visitor services
Carmen FenollosaJulie BeckerElin RobertsMalvina ArtheauMichael BradkeOrna Cohen
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If we say face-to-face science engagement, is the first image that comes to your mind a...
All detailed information about this workshop and session presentations can be found here.
Maria XanthoudakiMark WinterbottomHiljanne van der MeerJutta SchlöglStefano BurattiElin RobertsEszter Varga
Tinkering is increasingly becoming part of the life of museums and science centres. From professional development and team building to school teaching and family learning in museums, all indicate its potential for (science) learning. But what...
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