Confident, experienced staff are the key ingredient to operating a successful science centre. They are essential in all areas, from front of house explainer roles to managerial and administrative staff. But how can new teams be developed in a new centre – or one which is rapidly expanding – where existing expertise is limited and the potential for ‘on the job’ training is either absent or highly restricted? How can the next generation of science centre staff pick up the skills needed? This session will present the experiences of newly established science centres: How did they recruit and train their staff? What were their greatest challenges, and what surprised them about what they learnt as their teams became accustomed to their roles? What do they think their recent experiences can teach others in our field?

Bjorn Winther Johansen, CEO of Inspiria Science Centre, a recently opened science centre in Sarpsborg, Norway,

Linda Leuchars Science Learning Manager from the Dundee Science Centre,

Leila Schembri, from KCA London,