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.
Paul HixSherman RosenfeldLorenz KampschultePedro ReisGiulia Tasquier
Exhibitions provide great insights into scientific topics. But doesn’t being involved in the development of an exhibition provide an even deeper understanding of a question? Shouldn’t we make this experience accessible to young people, thus...
All detailed information about this event can be found here.
Marketing & communication
Nicole LössnerGunnar BehrensDesiree VaccariniIrena CieślińskaClaire Pillsbury
The dialogue between science and art is growing. Science museums and centres have discovered art as a medium to convey specialised knowledge and content to a broader public – a popular and still complex trend. By testing ideas and concepts with...
Ryan JenkinsLydia BeallJon HaavieSabina BarcucciSebastian Martin
Our series of hands-on activities at this year’s Ecsite conference MakerSpace will be dedicated to "twisted toys": electronic toys and the wonderful possibilities that they hold for making and tinkering.
On Thursday 9 June we will discover...
A traditional Austrian Ball - with an Ecsite twist! Expect swinging bands and a classic orchestra, sparkling wine and Wiener Würstel - but also science fashion and the famous Ecsite Jazz Band.
Known as one of the world’s best concert halls...
Maya HalevyAntonio Gomes da CostaAntonio Gomes da CostaJustin DillonMaria XanthoudakiAmito HaarhuisBrad IrwinMaya Halevy
European science education policy has been hugely influential on science centres, museums, etc. The whole inquiry-based science education movement wouldn’t have happened without a big push from the ‘Rocard report’. So the new...
Isabel ChagasCláudia FariaRita BorgesIsabel BorgesIan RussellPaweł Barczyński
A growing number of studies show the importance of museum explainers during school visits to facilitate a better engagement of students. Numerous teacher courses have also recently been developed on the use of science centres as teaching...
Claudia GoebelKatrin VohlandKatrin VohlandDacha AtienzaCarole PalecoJeroen BruggeAmparo Leyman PinoFermín Serrano SanzPaulo MotaPia VivianiClaudia GoebelChristine MarizziTobias WolffAnne-Caroline Prévot
This workshop will explore the potential of Citizen Science (CS) for the Ecsite community at large. It will bring together CS experts from Ecsite member organisations - particularly science centres and museums - with practitioners from research...
Peter TrevittMatthew HeenanMarjelle van HoornMarion SabourdyJoana Lobo Antunes
Twitter is not just for reaching out to your visitors or supporters – it has also become an indispensable tool for museum and science centre professionals of all levels to cooperate across institutions and share resources, experiences,...
All detailed information about this workshop can be found here.
Micol MolinariCecilia EkstrandEnrico TombesiPaula BäckmanBeth HawkinsMicol Molinari
The concept of science capital, a way to look at all the science-related knowledge, social contacts, attitudes and experiences a person has, offers us a lens for understanding the differences in our audiences’ engagement with science... Why some...
Sandra RodegherChris DunfordAntonia CaolaNathalie CiminoGerhard Sprung
The need to address sustainability at a global level is critical, but implementation is challenging. During this reverse panel, four science centres and museums will share examples of their sustainability initiatives.
Our convenor will...
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