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.
Antonio Gomes da CostaBrooke SmithBrian SouthwellBrian SouthwellSara YeoJohn BesleyJohn CookJaron HarambamLaura SmillieJacques PetitpréDidier MICHEL
This two-day pre-conference workshop will bring together social science researchers and the science engagement community to explore the role of science communication professionals at a moment when many worry about the prevalence of misinformation...
Sebastian MartinLiam NilsenSebastian UribeMartin SwiftKathrin KöstersRyan JenkinsStefania Druga
Digital technology has long been a part of science centres’ and museums’ exhibits, programmes and activities. The recent surge of interest in MakerSpaces and introduction of new tools have led to opportunities for creating playful, open-ended and...
Henrik SellCarole PalecoThomas B BergMarianne AchiamBrian Degn MårtenssonJuliette FritschStefan Leiner
How do we ignite action among our visitors and make them reflect on causes and effects?
The world is facing major challenges in terms of local and global environmental problems. These are problems that worry many people and can seem...
Vanessa MignanShaaron LevermentBarbara StreicherElizabeth RasekoalaAntonia CaolaNicole BullockMaarten OkkersenSharon HealMarie-Agnès BernardisAmparo Leyman PinoJulie LeclairSylvaine ChampagneDavid JonesMeie van Laar
How do we break out of our own echo chamber(s) and roll out the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda throughout all areas of our organisations for embedded, transformative change? Tying in with the “pushing boundaries” conference theme, this...
Research, theory & evaluation
Nils Petter HauanIlona Iłowiecka-TańskaRoy SchedlerTheano Moussouri Elizabeth McGregor JacobidesPeter Wardrip
What kind of learning is really taking place in museums and science centres? How do we measure it? This two-day pre-conference workshop will equip participants with tools enabling them to identify the learning taking place at their venue. The...
Ana NoronhaMarc MoutinMaría Menéndez
Bringing Space “down to Earth” is a priority for the Space sector. Space is a vantage point for monitoring our ever-changing planet – from floods and forest fires to changes in ice cover and rising sea levels. Europe plays a leading role in this...
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Julia WoitheTania JohnstonAnne LandHanne TytgatFreddy GripWolfgang VieserJulia Woithe
Many science centres and out-of-school learning labs offer hands-on workshops for (high-school) students in addition to their interactive exhibitions.
A common challenge is to find the right balance between open inquiry and "cookbook" type...
Research, theory & evaluation
Marjelle van HoornJen DeWittRoy SchedlerIlona Iłowiecka-TańskaNils Petter HauanColin Johnson
There is a lot happening in evaluation and research. How can you find your way around it all?
The first day of this two-day in-depth workshops offers an introduction and a refresher. Small group activities and inspiring talks will help...
Leonel AlegreRoberta MansurInes MontalvaoSusan HolmesAlisson BoiffardHerve Groscarret
Interactivity has always been part of the science centre's DNA and is now common in many types of museums. However, it doesn't necessarily take into consideration visitors' emotional journey. The concept of experience design recently started to...
Fabrice JouvenotIsabelle Chabanon-PougetMelissa RichardMalvina ArtheauJohn SearRadhika BeaumeAymeric FaucherIsabelle Chabanon-PougetMelissa RichardMalvina ArtheauFabrice JouvenotJohn SearRadhika BeaumeAymeric Faucher
Positioned at the crossroads of theatre, games and personal experiences, live action games (LARPs) are powerful tools for social inclusion, decision taking and content communication. Fully immersed and emotionally engaged, players are "pushed"...
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