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.
Livio Riboli-SascoChris GaryJan RiiseBarbara Streicher
In our efforts to foster socially inclusive science communication approaches, innovative and challenging strategies can be particularly relevant. For instance, involving under-served populations with scientists in the co-construction of research...
Nicolas KösterSilke PetzoldSusanne NawrathKathrin MeyerMichał Buława
Many science centres are very critical of using scenography or atmospheric room design. The main concern is that the visitor will be distracted from the interactive exhibit itself. However, other science centres feel the necessity to upgrade...
Alexandre QuintanilhaMao ImaizumiSophie BougéCarmen GuerraLeonel Alegre
When developing a new exhibition most science centres rely on scientists and scientific institutions. But what do we expect from them? Expertise and skill, validation and acknowledgment, creativity and inspiration, or even money? In this session...
Explainers & visitor services
Wenche FivelsdalIngrid EikelandMikko MyllykoskiEmily Dawson
Do you know who is walking through your doors? Do you know what motivates your guests to visit? Do you know their prior knowledge, their benefits and attitudes? Do you know what their learning preferences are? Can we really learn from...
Marketing & communication
Natalia Sergievskaya Luigi AmodioJelena FilipajJan Riise
When setting up a new science centre one has to approach decision makers in order to get funding for the project. Confronted with their expectations, we often wonder: Are the decision makers from a totally different planet? How do we sell our...
Explainers & visitor services
Jon HaavieSabina BarcucciGène BertrandIan SimmonsJon HaaviePatricia Verheyden
Maker Faire is the world’s greatest festival for creativity and making. This is where technology, art and science meet. It is a festival where inventors, artists, hackers, enthusiasts, geeks, craftsmen and tinkerers – can show others what they...
Explainers & visitor services
Ana NoronhaLaszlo Robert ZsirosPaweł WójcikAaike van OordMiha Kos
“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong,” journalist H. L. Mencken observed. In science centres, it is not easy to be educational and entertaining while remaining scientifically accurate at all times. As a...
Explainers & visitor services
Leonardo AlfonsiHerbert MuenderMassimiliano TrevisanLivio Riboli-Sasco
How will science events innovate their content and structure over the next ten years to avoid becoming dinosaurs? After a decade of rapid and constant development worldwide, science events are starting to diversify, focusing on specific science...
Marketing & communication
Clara LimLim Tit MengDorothée VatinelSean Clarke
Pop culture is by definition popular – so why not use it to convert potential audiences? Popular recognizable characters can act as a hook for attracting new audiences by providing a face and voice. Universcience, for example, shares their...
Gérard CobutDominique JongenMiha KosJoonas JuutilainenKathrin KöstersIrena CieślińskaCornelia ReichertAnna Schaefers
Participants pinpointed a need to explore less classic media during last year’s session on the perfect exhibition text . The aim with exhibition text is both to improve a general audience experience while also improve accessibility for...
Preview current and upcoming travelling science exhibitions across Europe. This fast-paced session will give you a glimpse of the enormous range of exhibitions on offer, leaving it up to you to make contacts and find out more.
Explainers & visitor services
Malvina ArtheauMarc JamousGrozdana ErjavecMicol MolinariMarc JamousBeth Hawkins
Serious games are a mean of sharing scientific contents in a new way. As gaming gets the player emotionally and personally involved, serious games have been shown to enhance the efficiency of a given message. But designing one implies to reach...
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