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.
Research, theory & evaluation
Inga SpechtSiëlle GramserAnne Land
When developing an exhibition or activity, we want the best possible visitor experience and learning outcomes - but how do we know we've achieved this? Personal meaning mapping, multiple choice tests, follow-up interviews, pre- and post-...
Christian SichauMarkus WeißkopfMichael John Gorman
The climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic and the debate surrounding genetic engineering are just three current fields where scientific knowledge carries far-reaching political consequences, causing a predicament for scientists about their...
Barbara StreicherAmparo Leyman PinoShaaron LevermentSanne den AdelVanessa MignanAntonia CaolaAlexia SonnoisCristina Veiga-PiresDavid JonesColleen M. SchmitzMeie van LaarKathrin KöstersSilvio Wey
This one-day workshop is targeted at colleagues who are interested in advocating and implementing strategies to become a diverse and inclusive science engagement organisation, but do not know where to start or how to put their current projects in...
Ronen MirJoseph RocheRooske FranseVera GouveiaSanne van Gammeren
One of the main characteristics of open science communities such as open schooling or citizen science projects is the collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Co-creation within such a community can be very rewarding and valuable. However,...
Lizzy BakkerStefan FahrngruberWouter van der ZouweMaarten Taborsky
Climate change is a defining challenge of our time and it is happening more quickly than we feared. Limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, reaching net-zero by 2050. This sounds like a race we cannot win. But we are far from...
Raphael ChanayThomas B BergViola HoffmannNils Petter HauanLizzy BakkerFranziska Lang
Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges we face, but simply presenting an exhibition or a publication on the facts and figures doesn’t seem to have the desired effect on the public. What could be more effective? Should our...
The Farewell Party is the Conference’s most informal social event: chat, share a drink with other participants and dance the night away to say goodbye to friends, colleagues and our wonderful Conference Host!
Barbara StreicherAutumn BrownLewis HouMavis Ramazani
Researchers from two projects focusing on the needs, interests, and wellbeing of migrants and refugees share their work alongside participants from each project. Tech Scéal, an Irish initiative, explores issues of algorithmic justice with...
Hillary SpencerSandro DebonoHerbert Muender
March 2020: Science centres and museums around the world shut their doors to the public and staff are tasked with coming up with new ideas on how to engage with the public. After two years of being opened, closed, and reopened again, venues are...
An overview of five projects, all commended by the Ecsite Awards jury during their decision-making process for the Responsible and Responsive Award. The work undertaken and the lessons learned in how these organisations were bold, innovative and...
Sebastian MartinSamar D. KirreshAmos BlantonCristina OlivottoRyan JenkinsJon Haavie
“Good tinkerers borrow, great tinkerers steal.” - As A. Kleon emphasises in his book “Steal like an Artist”, "no idea is original and all creators and their output are a sum of inspirations and heroes…”. Art & artists can inspire children,...
Emmi HuhtaniemiMaarten OkkersenLorenz KampschulteKati Tyystjärvi
Today, science centres and museums are committed to serving new audiences, promoting social justice in society. Is science capital a useful tool or not? A common situation in our institutions is that visitors seem to have high science capital...
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