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.
María MenéndezMarc MoutinAna NoronhaJose Antonio Gordillo Martorell
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Robert FirmhoferBarbara Streicher
National networks and Ecsite are powerful instruments to develop science engagement. We share common challenges, and our collective effectiveness could be reinforced through a regular collaboration. Yet we seldom have the chance to share, analyse...
Research, theory & evaluation
All detailed information on this workshop can be found here.
Explainers & visitor services
Kate KnealeIsabelle Chabanon-PougetMatthieu VernetJohn SearMalvina ArtheauDaniela De Angeli
One day to trigger participants’ creativity, imagine one or several science-related game(s) and bring them to life through prototyping. Prototypes will then be beta-tested during the main conference, hosted in the...
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Andrea Troncoso QuilaqueoIgnasi López VerdeguerCarlos Catalao AlvesSheena LaursenSteve MillerAntonina KhodzhaevaMaria SchrammelViola PinziEva Zua ZuaMargit Hofer
This workshop provides a comprehensive training on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), the ongoing process of aligning research and innovation with societal needs and expectations and one of the most important science policy trends in EU...
Ryan JenkinsSara CalcagniniSarah FunkVanessa MignanJon HaavieLydia BeallSamar D. Kirresh
As part of this this unique pre-conference workshop, we'll first all participate in a large collaborative chain reaction event called "Ecsite for all", organised with the Graz inhabitants on Tuesday 7...
Nathalie CapletCécile MarsanDon UndeenBaerbel AuffermannAnna OmedesJose Antonio Gordillo MartorellLauren SouterRobert WestNathalie PuzenatIan BrunswickJessica Bradford
How widely do science centres and museums open their doors? Do we always maximise opportunities to connect with our local communities (general public and professionals)? These collaborations can widen our audiences but also enrich the expertise...
Jörg EhtreiberSarai LenzbergerBernadette DecristoforoChristiane TheniusPatrizia TomasichMarta BiarnesErdoğan KahyaoğluPatricia Barciela Durán
This special pre-conference workshop, open to all, is run by the Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums. Hands-on! and Ecsite are partnering up for the first time in 2016.
Join us for a practical one-day workshop which...
Henrik SellIlse van ZeelandAnnette ScheersoiBryan CarrollAnne-Caroline Prévot
Museums and science centers often put on exhibitions about nature or environmental topics, aiming to equip visitors with a deeper understanding for the importance of conservation and the need for sustainability. Attracting visitors in man-made...
Brad IrwinKevin CrowleyMaria XanthoudakiRyan JenkinsAntonio Gomes da CostaHeather KingPaola RodariBeth StoneLAURENT CHICOINEAU
Facilitation within museums and science centres is changing! New forms of facilitation are emerging from tinkering to digital interaction. The way we think about training and professional development is fundamentally shifting. In our two-day pre...
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