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
Michał BuławaJelena Filipaj
How should a science centre fit into the centre of a city? How should it cooperate with municipal authorities and local communities? And how should it use the surrounding public spaces?
Jelena Filipaj will try to answer these questions from the...
Explainers & visitor services
Sophie BougéRémi JeanninMegumi OkuyaFabienne THOMAS
Can the subject of economics be approached in science centres and museums with the same tools used for science and technology? The session will introduce the subject through the example of the exhibition “Economie, Krach, Boom, Mue ?” (...
Selecting designers and other agencies in creative projects can be an ordeal on both sides of the table. Especially in a time when resources are scarce, we look for efficient ways of selecting and contracting. Classical pitches and modern...
Holly HastedIrene Lapuente AguilarÅsa LindgrenMatteo MerzagoraSuzy Antoniw
Whose voices? Whose interests? Science centers are increasingly involving diverse publics in the production of exhibition content. This session brings together professionals from Barcelona, London, Stockholm and Paris who have put audience...
Research, theory & evaluation
Nathalie CapletTiina BrunettoAlberta GiovanniniAnne Tove Koldal
Are our institutions the best places for peaceful work? Science centres and museums are definitely qualified for peace by the experiences they offer: joyful, collaborative, empathetic and lively. This kind of experience is facilitated by...
Research, theory & evaluation
Barbara StreicherAntonia Caola
Our community is known for advocating curiosity and engagement through innovative science communication. But are we innovative enough in the way we communicate among ourselves? Do we dare explore alternatives if established session formats and...
Networking & Partnerships
This session will introduce participants to the new financial framework of the European Commission – Horizon 2020. A European Commission representative will give insight into the new framework, a representative from the National Contact...
Explainers & visitor services
Noel JacksonGuido RamelliniAnna GunnarssonMichael Bradke
Rich Tasks are a key tool in mathematics teaching. In Rich Tasks, students gain experience of using simple maths by applying them to solve complex problems in real situations. These tasks are still novel for math teachers but many...
Johannes-Geert HagmannMarit TeerlingCaroline TurreYuko Okayama
To work in a science centre or museum may sometimes seem like an exotic profession. Yet, while each institution faces different challenges, the professional knowledge acquired through many years of experience can benefit other actors in the field...
Many Ecsite conference delegates are not from the ‘big name’ science centres. This session will discuss how small and medium-sized science centres manage financial constraints. It will also highlight some of the unique opportunities and...
Frank DittmannSarah KellbergOtmar MoritschTina KubotÅsa LindgrenSuzy Antoniw
Developing and designing an exhibition is a challenging and creative process. Visitors, and often colleagues, only get to see the final results. The idea of this session is to illuminate the process of creating an exhibition. What was the...
Maria XanthoudakiRobert SzczesnyJim ShortMaya HalevyMarjolein van Breemen
The session explores formal-informal partnerships by sharing models of how to work together to support the core curriculum of schools and to advance the core mission of science centres. Three cases will illuminate the topic: Urban Advantage...
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