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.
Marianne PougetMarianne PougetArmin DuffSami PihkalaAurélie CHENELRan PelegMalka YayonPippa Hough
Many artistic and cultural places are taking inspiration from escape games for the design of their exhibitions and hands-on activities in order to engage (young) audiences attracted by storytelling and gamified content.
In this session, we...
Mingle with other first-time delegates and meet a few conference old-timers who will be sharing their tips and tricks to make the most of the Ecsite conference.
Join this informal breakfast for a refreshing start to intense hectic...
Camilla Rossi-LinnemannGiulia de MartiniJohn DurantKaren WilkinsonLim Tit Mengpatrizia ceruttiSamar D. KirreshMaria PfeiferMarina LeonardSamuela CaliariVincenzo Napolano
Today, the world of scientific research and innovation is asked to connect more closely to society, embracing the concept of responsibility and working towards models of cooperation and interrelation.
Consequently, science engagement...
Kate KnealeRichard Houghton
The GameLab brings together people who are working with games and play in science centres and museums. They are experienced at creating games which range from real world escape rooms to virtual reality adventures, community game hacks to...
Elizabeth McGregor JacobidesPeter WardripDaniel RosqvistAlina NatmessnigPedro Pombo
While making and tinkering currently occupy mostly informal environments (museums, libraries, MakerSpaces etc) it has exciting potential in outreach to and integration into formal learning environments. Bringing making/tinkering into schools and...
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. They use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of...
Maya HalevyMeie van LaarAnnette KlinkertFrederick Fenter
Engaging and empower future decision makers is crucial to "build effective cooperation between science and society", as the European Commission's...
Yuri MattemanJuliette Walma van der MolenNellie KonijnendijkSara TougaardAnna Starkey
Every science engagement initiative seems to aim at sparking curiosity and inquiry thinking in audiences. Curiosity is considered key driver for science and inquiry, but what do we actualy mean by 'curiosity'?
The scientific literature...
The Ecsite MakerSpace is a physical location at the conference centre curated by a group of tinkerers and educators from all over the world. In this inspiring environment full of tools, materials and demonstrations, we’ll present hands-on...
Barbara StreicherMarkus WeißkopfPhilipp BurkardAleksandra Drecun
This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of coordinating collaborations with a nationwide scope and compare solutions in different European countries. What kind of projects need national collaborations? What are the challenges...
Samuel LagierAdria LeBoeufCristina SorianoSamuel LagierAdria LeBoeufCristina Soriano
Metaphors are more than sophisticated poetic embellishments – they shape our everyday lives in the way we speak, understand and act. A metaphor is a gateway between a known concept and a new dimension: it is this collision between disparate ideas...
Gène BertrandSybill EbersDick de JongAnna SchaefersPatricia VerheydenBaerbel AuffermannGertie Cuijpers
Usually permanent exhibitions have a very long lifetime. But eventually, every museum or science centre has to face the challenge of renewing them. Old presentation techniques, outdated contents, old-fashioned architecture or damages to your...
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