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Annual Conference sessions

Science ♥ society 2019
Keynote - Audrey Dussutour

"The blob: a genius without a brain". 

2019
Keynote - Margaret Wertheim

"Mathematics as Material Play"

Equity & Inclusion 2019
In the shoes of a blind person

A blindfolded experience to grasp visual accessibility requirements.

Business & fundraising 2019
Funding: what do our pie charts say about us?

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
On trial: virtual reality

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.

Science ♥ society 2018
Keynote - Giulia & Jill Enders

Giulia Enders is the author and Jill Enders the illustrator of the internationally acclaimed book Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ

Research, theory & evaluation 2018
Keynote - James Beacham

James Beacham is a particle physicist involved in the ATLAS experiment at CERN. Watch a video of his keynote.

Science ♥ society 2018
Can you feel it? A science revival meeting

“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
Team creativity and facilitation techniques: expand your toolbox

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
The future of science centre exhibitions

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
Keynote - Alice Roberts

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
Keynote - Nina Simon

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
Keynote - Frans de Waal

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
Keynote Elizabeth Rasekoala

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
Keynote - Andrea Illy

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
Keynote - Ian Goldin

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 2015
Keynote - Tristram Stuart

Tristram Stuart is an author and campaigner tackling the food waste scandal. Watch a video of his keynote.

Science ♥ society 2014
Keynote - Ahmet Üzümcü

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
Keynote - Dominique Pestre

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
Keynote - Susan Greenfield

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
Keynote - Martin Rees

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
Keynote - Carlo Ratti

Carlo Ratti, Professor at the MIT, gave a talk entitled "Future Cities - The real-time city is now real!"

Science ♥ society 2011
Keynote - Derrick de Kerckhove

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
Keynote - Michael Jones

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. 

2015 Ecsite Conference
Equity & Inclusion
Barrier-free and accessible exhibitions - Challenges and opportunities
Nicolas KösterJessica BradfordMałgorzata Gorgul-TomczykNathalie PuzenatJunko AnsoKaroline von dem Bussche

Nowadays it is common that new exhibitions must be barrier-free and meet high requirements concerning accessibility. Legitimate demands of organizations representing disabled people and official guidelines for accessibility are a major challenge...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Exhibit development
Multimedia systems for visitor orientation and tracking
Bernd HoltwickAnne Kahr HällmanElena MashintsovaAnne Kahr HällmanChristophe Chaffardon

All curious minds will be grateful for hints and signs that show them the best way to what they are looking for. We will present best practice examples of indoor navigation systems and visitor tracking, and will discuss the concepts of different...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Explainers & visitor services
Food as a way into history of science and medicine
Massimiano BucchiAnne Jorunn FroeyenPhil Loring

Traditional “science in the kitchen” initiatives seldom foster a historically nuanced and politically engaged perspective on science. This panel explores three innovative projects using food and cooking to engage audiences with the past, present...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Explainers & visitor services
Activities to pick your brain - Grand Bazaar
Ed SobeyIbrahim KunduzIan RussellAnna GunnarssonJohn DowneyDavid PriceJamila Al KhatibMartin KulhawczukElin RobertsMelissa Finali

Curiosity is at its best when our brain is faced with a challenging task, e.g. solving a non-trivial problem or puzzle or creating something new. Challenges engage creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and create a fun learning...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Exhibit development
No exhibition needs to be boring
Maarten OkkersenLeonel AlegreIan RussellAxel E. HüttingerAnssi AhlgrénSophie Bougé

What can the designer and the content planner do when faced with an exhibition topic that is neither fancy nor sexy, but just plain boring? This can happen if the topic is dated, narrow, far removed from our everyday life or perhaps in conflict...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Explainers & visitor services
Digital possibilities - A new blend
Charlotte KoldbyeJane RaynerBent Johan PoulsenMarjolein van Breemen

Digital technology can deliver engaging, personalised experiences that combine with more traditional elements of the science centre and create a whole new setting – a digital blend. Do these digital interpretation methods enhance the science...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Exhibit development
PechaKucha - Future visions for science centres
Johannes-Geert HagmannAlison BoyleMaarten OkkersenBarry LordMichele LanzingerUlrich KernbachKen ArnoldWalter StavelozClaire Pillsbury

Join leaders from a range of disciplines as they offer a rapid-fire series of visions for the future of science museums and science centres. Different prospects for museums and science centres have included neutral “third places” for communities...

2015 Ecsite Conference
Explainers & visitor services
The future of citizen science
Joanna KalinowskaAntonio ParodiFermín Serrano SanzMuki Haklay

Citizen science projects offer a new form for the engagement of citizens in scientific research. In this session we will explore the opportunities and challenges of this emerging area by looking at different case studies covering a wide range of...

2014 Ecsite Conference - 25th anniversary edition
Equity & Inclusion
Innovation: a potential to achieve a Blue Society
Manuel Cira

Our planet is our home. However, it is a finite world which will have to satisfy the needs of 12 billion people by 2100. How can we foster innovation so as to help make our planet a better place to live for all? How can we generate new...

2014 Ecsite Conference - 25th anniversary edition
Stakeholders and emerging technology: Collaboration for RRI
Norbert Steinhausilse MarschalekMaria ZоlоtоnоsаMelanie SmallmanMarzia Mazzonetto

Are we successful at involving different stakeholders in the debate on emerging technologies? At what stage of the research process should stakeholders be involved? These issues are part of the new European challenge of Responsible Research and...

2014 Ecsite Conference - 25th anniversary edition
Explainers & visitor services
School visits: New approaches to old challenges
Cláudia FariaAna Alexandra Valente RodriguesInês OliveiraMarianne AchiamNils Petter HauanJen DeWitt

How can informal learning sites provide optimal learning experiences without placing demands on teachers? This session will move beyond familiar conversations about how to encourage/force/support teachers toward desired behaviours. Instead,...

2014 Ecsite Conference - 25th anniversary edition
Marketing & communication
Marketing to teachers
Harrie SchlechtriemCathrine Strøm NøstvoldElina VesanenCecilia Ekstrand

Teachers in primary and secondary schools are one of the science center’s most important target groups. In this session, Heureka (Finland), Tom Tits Experiment (Sweden), VilVite (Norway) and Continium – Discovery Center Kerkrad (...

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