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.
Heidi RosenströmWenche FivelsdalVesa LepistöUlrike Kastrup
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Our session will explore the powers of narrative storytelling in science exhibitions and...
Ian BrunswickRobert FirmhoferLinda ConlonAntonio Gomes da Costa
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We need to help citizens grasp the difference between authority-based and science-based...
The MakerSpace offers the chance to experiment with art, science and technology through drop-in hands-on activities. This session will be an informal “open studio” where you can stop by and see high and low tech tools used for tinkering, projects...
Joanna KalinowskaMarjelle van Hoorn
We are a large community with members who all have favourite books that influence our work, our creativity or joy of developing new projects and exhibitions. In this session we invite everybody who would like to share a favourite book to tell...
Research, theory & evaluation
Joseph RocheMairéad HurleyJoana Lobo AntunesMathis BogensTanja AdnađevićLena SöderströmJames DevittAna Solange LealLuis Azevedo RodriguesLeonardo AlfonsiManel Laporta Grau
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European Researchers’ Night takes place annually with the aim of bringing researchers...
Samar D. KirreshHélder FerreiraLuis Azevedo RodriguesHiljanne van der MeerElisabeth Rebekka Killie KanebogAina Fiskå
A hands-on session aiming at exploring low cost to no cost multidisciplinary practices that connect environmental education and tinkering and making. Participants will be encouraged to connect with materials they engage with daily, re-interpret...
Sara CalcagniniMaria PfeiferJürgen ÖhlingerEmma SandersLaurent BontouxWouter van der Zouwe
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We're living in a fast-paced world. Scientific discoveries are made each day leading to...
Thorsten-D. KünnemannClaire PillsburyEvelyne HiardMeie van LaarAchim EnglertAlbrecht BeutelspacherArmin DuffIan Russell
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What we know and believe about the world and about life is not always what is known to be...
Audrey O'ConnellJulie BeckerGène BertrandTim PethickUlrike KastrupAnnkatrin MeyerCristina Zúñiga OrtizPetra RotthoffLouise Julie BertrandCynthia BrownSarah AlexanderStefanie ZieglerMathis BogensJavier Hidalgo GilMoritz HeberLindsay WashburnJennifer Wallace
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A preview of current and upcoming touring science exhibitions across Europe and the world...
John SearDaniela De Angeli
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...
Explainers & visitor services
Heather KingBrad IrwinMarjelle van Hoorn
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Join the Ecsite conference's very own Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson as, together with the...
Audrey ChangRagnhild Freng DaleCarl SalkSarah SeiterHannah Sundqvist
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Surveys show that museums and science centres remain the most trusted public...
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