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.
Julia WillisonMarjolein van Breemen
Do you have an idea you want to get off the ground; a new science centre, an exhibition or an activity? Are you grappling with where to start or how to move it forward?
This clinic offers you a safe space in which you can explore your...
Špela Petrič is a Ljubljana and Amsterdam based new media artist who has been trained in the natural sciences and holds a PhD in biology. Her artistic practice combines the natural sciences, wet biomedia practices, performance, and critically...
Anne PrugnonMark ReadPascal GoblotStefan FahrngruberJörg Ehtreiber
How to predict, imagine and communicate what the future of our planet or society might look like to our audience? How can we use science to explore uncharted territories without falling into the issue of being too kitsch, too doom and gloom, too...
Mark WinterbottomMaria XanthoudakiInka de PijperGrace D'ArcyMathieu Mahve-Beydokhti
Tinkering has the potential to strengthen engagement with STEM. Furthermore, research has found that tinkering could be particularly beneficial for students facing social, economic or cultural disadvantage. Museums across Europe have been...
Michel GroulxCaroline JulienLars SchnatmannWouter van der ZouweCybèle Robichaud
“Metaquests”, or interactive quests, can be very engaging ways to encourage participation, particularly when it comes to the younger generation. These quests entice their visitors into actively engaging in self-guided itineraries which catalyse...
Ryan JenkinsSebastian MartinMarina LeonardReid BinghamBeatriz ReyRaquel ArévaloIda Hirsenfelder
Art and artists can inspire children, visitors and us to think about museums in new ways. As more and more science organisations explore possibilities for tinkering-based programmes and environments, artists can also play their part. This pre-...
Ana NoronhaMarc MoutinMaría Menéndez
In a time when science engagement organisations and professionals are increasingly called upon to foster more sustainable futures, what role can Space play? We are inviting all interested parties to come and explore this theme during a two-day...
Nele Van der ElstMarjolein Van GinnekenPieter TijtgatJose Augusto OcampoJens Astrup
If we really want to succeed in lifelong learning, STEM and digital literacy for everyone, we need to have clear goals and a toolbox for reaching those goals. Nowadays, many science organisations create exciting, popular exhibits that are...
Marketing & communication
Brad MacDonaldKatie PavidDanny BirchallTom Rockwell
Over half of the world’s population now has an internet connection. In this digital era, how do we create compelling yet accessible learning experiences for the global public? In a time where 'fake news' is rife, museums have a big part to play...
Patricia VerheydenMikko MyllykoskiAilsa BarryMaribel IbarraYuko OkayamaMaria Isabel GarciaJulia WillisonElizabeth RasekoalaLath CarlsonJuan Pablo Gaviria Arteaga
What are our greatest fears and hopes for the future of our field? How do we see the world evolve, and what will the role of our institutions be? Will science centres and museums still exist? Moreover, if they are still around what will they be...
Cristina PacaAnna RiethusTanja AdnađevićDobrivoje Lale EricHolger SeifertSümeyye Ceylan
Could an object describe your entire project?
The courageous speakers of this session took on this challenge and will be telling you about their projects in an original and jargon-free style.
Expect a 2-minute story for each project...
Research, theory & evaluation
Patricia VerheydenDaria DvorzhitskaiaNils Petter HauanAndrea DurhamVictoria Thomson
Why is it important to evaluate exhibitions and how do we account for different stakeholders?
In this workshop session our presenters will give a short presentation on their implement evaluation research methods within the exhibition...
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