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.
Representatives from three of the largest travelling exhibitions programmes talk about their experiences in the planning, production, sales and execution of international tours. Pick their brains to find out how to adequately prepare for your...
What experiences do visitors seek in museums and science centres? What experiences do museums and science centres encourage? This session is organized by Ecsite’s THE Group and focuses on visitors by looking into their experience from the...
Marketing & communication
This session will feature three case studies of how science centres have developed their digital marketing strategies. We will assess their holistic approach, provide tips for understanding online audiences and cover a range of online marketing...
Marketing & communication
Several questions must be considered in order to tap the full branding potential of a science centre: What role does the architecture play? What kind of Unique Selling Proposition is at the centre’s heart? Which key attractions does it provide?...
The best funding comes with very few conditions attached. But that doesn’t happen very often. Today’s sponsors are increasingly demanding and there is a real skill in ensuring that a science museum’s objectives are not lost to a sponsor’s...
The speakers will explore the relation between Science and Art. Today many artists are influenced by scientific discoveries and use scientific information or methods in their work. Science is also changing, scientists are more focused on...
An open question implies that the answer is unknown to the inquirer. Skillfully framed open questions are a powerful, but under-used, science communication tool in exhibit labels, science shows and science centre explainer-training.
Numerous museums and science centres in Europe have initiated efforts to improve the accessibility of their buildings, programs and exhibitions for visitors with disabilities. Science centers are often well-equipped — from a technical point...
Science museums have become an important and increasingly visible element in the public effort to promote science education and science literacy in modern society. Science museums produce exhibitions and educational programs on a wide variety of...
Marketing & communication
There is no longer any question that science centres should be using social media. The real question is how they can optimize its potential. The number of people in Europe using social networks such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube etc.,...
Learning in a science centre – informal learning –happens differently than school-based learning. We design our exhibitions and educational programmes to hook our visitors and propel them to explore with all their senses. We want to awaken their...
For many years, science engagement professionals across Europe have been helping people explore climate change. Yet as a population we are not making any major and substantive changes in our lives to seriously reduce carbon. Is it time to do...
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