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.
Networking & Partnerships
Barbara StreicherAntonia CaolaBernard AlauxLaurence Muller
How do science centres link with the innovation sector (companies, research institutions, etc.)? Do we go beyond treating partners as potential sponsors by inviting them as active subjects in shaping our content? Do we convey to our audiences...
Sheena LaursenNathalie Caplet
Sometimes an exhibition or a programme of activities seems to attract more of one gender than the other. What can we do about this? Initiatives taking place across Europe are shining light on this important issue for science centres and museums....
Micol MolinariBeth HawkinsJane DowdenBeth Hawkins
It is vital to remember that science is never ‘fact’ but comprises a set of models that best explain the way the world works. Will these theories change? Only time will tell. As scientists and science communicators, we must always keep the...
Networking & Partnerships
Grace KimbleSavita Custead
Biodiversity invaded the media space in 2010. Many messages surrounded us; endangered species, climate change, proliferation, preservation…
But how do scientists study biodiversity in the field and in the lab? How do species relate to each other...
Kim Gladstone HerlevKim Gladstone HerlevKim Gladstone HerlevGuy LabineEllen McCallieKirsten EllenbogenEva JonssonJudy Gradwhol
Most science centres and museums are dynamic institutions who are continuously changing to optimize their space. Change management is an extremely relevant challenge throughout this continuing process. Some changes are easy to manage but very...
Explainers & visitor services
Social media is everywhere. Individuals and institutions use it all the time. Social media can influence the way people perceive time and space. The ideas of time and space are changed through social media; the museum space gets bigger and bigger...
Networking & Partnerships
Alain COINEAlain COINESharon AmentMaría Menéndez
Some enterprises, institutions and research centres want, through science centers, to promote scientific and technical culture to the general public and in particular to the youth and wish to have key issues, challenges and themes addressed in a...
Explainers & visitor services
Gunnar BehrensIan RussellIrena CieślińskaAnna Schaefers
You only have so much time to help visitors understand how to use an exhibit before they turn away in fustration. How can 3D design, graphics and text be used to help visitors engage with your exhibit without patronizing or asking too much of...
Kati TyystjärviLiisa JuustilaJulie MoskalykDRONEAU PHILIPPE
The role of a science centre in its local community is a many-sided issue. Recently it has been discussed in connection to PLACES, a European project developing a common platform for science centres and museums, local actors and citizens....
TOMMASO NASTASIShana TurakhiaDominique JongenTOMMASO NASTASIElodie TouzéStéphanie Kappler
Are museums prepared to welcome visitors with special needs at the same time or in the same spaces as other visitors? This challenge is met by some museums where the tools developed for that aim could be relevant for all.
Some experiences...
Julie MoskalykOlle NordbergJulie MoskalykStephen Pizzey
Travelling exhibitions have many challenges. What happens when borrowing and lending parties have different expectations regarding prices? Is there a risk of important information being lost in translation? What are standard staffing and...
Carlo Ratti, Professor at the MIT, gave a talk entitled "Future Cities - The real-time city is now real!"
The increasing deployment of sensors and hand-held electronics in recent years is allowing a new approach to the study of the built...
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