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.
Martin KulhawczukKai Håkon SundeFederica TamburriniMarco MirandaDerek FishRonen MirSabine HaakeRannvei SætherOla KleivenHanna SathiapalEva HaasKim Ludwig-PetschRebecca KlemmChristina ClassenBrenda Shivanandan
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar, an informal drop-in session featuring dozens of table-top activities – and their facilitators. This long-time favourite session returns to take you on a creative and inspiring journey with spicy experiments, hands-on...
Explainers & visitor services
Martin KulhawczukDerek FishEva Hofstad HagenAnna GunnarssonPedro PomboHanne MadsenMarco MirandaKim Ludwig-PetschChiara TrevisinPeeranut KanhadilokRonen MirAlexey ZemkoNoel JacksonIan RussellKai Håkon SundeJutta SchlöglNelma Bossolan
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar. We're back with new, inspiring, mind bending and playful hands on activities and demonstrations. The Grand Bazaar is set up and run by enthusiastic experts who are ready to show you their practical ways in which to...
Martin KulhawczukIan RussellJohn DowneyPedro PomboHanne MadsenPeeranut KanhadilokMarco MirandaNoel JacksonDerek FishRonen MirSara BaggeAiyana HudginsEva Hofstad HagenCamilla LarsenAlexey ZemkoKathrin Kösters
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar. Here dozens of creative and hands-on table-top activities await you, whether new to the profession or seasoned. At each station, create, experiment, or play with the truly wonderful variety of activities and...
Martin KulhawczukNoel JacksonIan RussellMarco MirandaJohn DowneyPedro PomboSamar D. KirreshElin RobertsKai Håkon SundeChiara TrevisinRannvei SætherAstrid WaraPeeranut Kanhadilok
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar. Here dozens of creative and hands-on table-top activities await science explainers and other science enthusiasts, whether new to the profession or seasoned. At each station, make things, build things or play with...
Martin KulhawczukIan RussellNoel JacksonSabine HaakeSamar D. KirreshAnna GunnarssonElisabetta TrentinPedro PomboOzlem CamNaomi FosterMarco MirandaEva Hofstad HagenRannei Solbak Simonsen
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar, an informal drop-in session featuring dozens of table-top activities - and their facilitators. This long-time favourite session returns to take you on a creative and inspiring journey with spicy experiments, hands-on...
Ed SobeyEd SobeyIan RussellJohn Downey
Colour-related hands-on science activities that beg active participation will be presented by science centre and museum experts from seven countries. Participants will be able to test their colour vision, see how to break white light into a...
Explainers & visitor services
Ed SobeyIbrahim KunduzIan RussellAnna GunnarssonJohn DowneyDavid PriceJamila Al KhatibMartin KulhawczukElin RobertsMelissa Finali
Curiosity is at its best when our brain is faced with a challenging task, e.g. solving a non-trivial problem or puzzle or creating something new. Challenges engage creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and create a fun learning...
Explainers & visitor services
Melissa FinaliDidem AydinmakinaWendy van den PutteDavid BrostromAnna GunnarssonVassilis Vassilis PapakonstantinouJohn DowneyMaya HalevyMarjolein van BreemenNoel JacksonSheena LaursenSara CalcagniniElin RobertsIan RussellMarina D'Alessandro
The Grand Bazaar returns this year following its success at the Ecsite Annual Conference 2013.There is much more to science communication than just discussion! This highly informal ‘tabletop’ event will offer a varied selection of hands-on...
Step into the Grand Bazaar to see the mysteries of hands-on science unfold. Wander among the various “action shops” where you can join the building and experimenting. Catch the excitement as science learning accelerates when you...