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.
Marketing & communication
Peter KolesárBranislav SitárOtakar HorakPetra LipnickaFrédérique HazéováMatúš Kvas
In this workshop participants will brainstorm the most effective ways to communicate science for various purposes and target groups.
We will start with a short lecture from an excellent particle physicist and a member of the CERN council...
Jochen HungerAgnes BauerGène BertrandRauno BergmanChristian SichauMichael Bradke
Not everyone is a maker*, yet everyone “makes” him- or herself through a process of learning. We acquire knowledge from different fields through different channels, in distinct places, with selected people and at certain times. However, some of...
A networking highlight!
Ecsite invites all participants to come together for a drink among exhibitors' booths.
Traditionally exhibitors bring specialties from their home countries.
Karin GarberArmin DuffMeie van LaarManuela RingbauerBethan RossTanja Nymark
In our science centres or hands-on laboratories we aim to offer visitors a first-hand experience of the beauty of science. However, what the audience expects when signing up for a science workshop, might be very different to what the work of a...
Robert FirmhoferBarbara StreicherAndres JuurLynn ScarffAsger HøegErnesto ParamoTapio KoivuMiruna Amza
Raymond Kurzweil, famous American author, inventor, computer scientist and futurist predicts that by the year 2030 implants will enhance human intelligence and memory; nanobots smarter than biology will eradicate diseases; transport and...
giovanni crupiFrancois VesciaHeidi RosenströmPeter Skogh
Science centres are more and more engaging into co-production ventures together.
There are many reasons for cooperating in exhibition development:
- Economical, as initial investment is shared between partners
- Cultural, as...
Marketing & communication
Maarten OkkersenPeter SlavenburgSvein Anders DahlTuomas OlkkuHans GubbelsJessica Hilliard
It is widely understood that innovation is central to the success of modern enterprises, whether they are product or service focused, and belong to the private, public or voluntary sector. But the term is often used loosely to include virtually...
See all information about this series of workshops here.
Marketing & communication
Maarten OkkersenSara CalcagniniStephen RobertsJet de Wit
Our public programmes are powerful drivers to reach audiences on the one hand and partners on the other hand. We want to both challenge the way visitors think and generate revenue. Achieving these aims can be seen as mutually exclusive or as...
John DowneyAlma RehmonenJohn DowneyElisabetta TrentinDiana Escobar VicentDavor Komericki
We define popular culture as "culture based on the tastes of ordinary people rather than an educated elite". Science is at the heart of popular culture, we know that!
Unfortunately, scientists and academics (and many teachers) are the...
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...
Ian RussellIan RussellEd SobeyPeeranut KanhadilokErik TorstenssonThierry Brassac
A toy is anything that succeeds in attracting and holding a child’s interest, stimulating curiosity, encouraging creativity and inspiring imagination. Toys can teach us how to create better experiences for young people. We have so much to learn...
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