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.
Note: Session was canceled due to absence of convenor and speakers.
Multimedia handheld guides and smartphone applications offer many new possibilities for interaction between audiences and science museums — prior to, during and after a...
Ed SobeyEd SobeyMartin KulhawczukSusanne RehnMarcin ChydzińskiMichael BradkeElin Roberts
Space and time are abstract concepts until they are measured. Children estimate distance and time poorly and have little practice in measuring either one, yet these two issues are fundamental to experiments and understanding science. Immediate...
Heather KingElaine ReganMarjolein van BreemenMeie van LaarMaria Xanthoudaki
What kind of teacher training and professional development do informal science institutions offer that other providers do not? What resources, experiences and expertise can we provide that are better than those available elsewhere? In this...
Iara Dos SantosNathalie PuzenatAude LestyEsther HamstraOwain Davies
The session will mix juniors and seniors from various exhibition fields. In these fields, seniors could be seen as representatives of established and efficient methods and juniors as messengers of innovative ideas which can help exhibitions...
Owain DaviesLinda LeucharsBjørn Winther JohansenLeila Schembri
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...
Michèle ANTOINERob van HattumLIONEL LARQUE
Sustainable development will be high in political and media agenda with the Rio+20 Conference coming up in June 2012. This is a wonderful opportunity for our institutions not only to reinforce public awareness of environmental issues but also to...
Explainers & visitor services
Moeko TABATALech NOWICKIAlexandra LangFabrice JouvenotMichael BradkeTOMONORI HAYAKAWA
An exhibition is a set of exhibits wherein the visitor walks through, touching nd experiencing one after the other. From time to time, however, our visitors like like to have real person-to-person contact. The visitor wants to talk, demonstrate...
Explainers & visitor services
This session will focus on museum practice and research insights for designing spaces appropriate for social situations and why this matters when thinking about spaces that facilitate learning. Presentations will discuss intentions and outcomes...
Martin Rees, Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge, gave a speech entitled "Space exploration, life and the cosmos".
The space age is little more than 50 years old but space technology already pervades our...
Tânia Margarida CostaPenny FidlerAna Noronha
At its heart, science is a practical, hands-on subject. Scientists must explore, test, experiment and investigate over time and across nations to gain new insights of how we humans, and the world around us works. However, the amazing careers and...
Sara SummersMoeko TABATADavid TombolatoDave Patten
How do we communicate scientific information effectively through colors, shapes, animations, and other visual means? Visualization enables visitors to think in creative ways about the information in front of them, bringing brand new perspectives...
Micol MolinariBeth HawkinsJane DowdenBeth Hawkins
It is vital to remember that science is never ‘fact’ but comprises a set of models that best explain the way the world works. Will these theories change? Only time will tell. As scientists and science communicators, we must always keep the...
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