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.
Networking & Partnerships
In a roundtable discussion, participants will present different models for national and sub regional science centre networks in Europe: Why they were formed, what they do and how they operate in relation to the European scene. We will look at...
Do not lock your ideas inside a science centre or museum building – there are crowds out there awaiting your workshops, science shows, or just your time spent answering questions. But what does it take to organize a successful outdoor event for...
Challenging stereotypes and encouraging girls to pursue scientific careers are important parts of the work of science centres and museums. But how can we do this if we are biased ourselves? Join speakers from the ecsite members’ project ‘TWIST’...
Today we live in a complex society, where our “liquid modernity” shakes the old clear-cut separation between scientific knowledge and humanities, melting them together in one culture. What are the risks and benefits of moving away...
Jacqueline McGlade is the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency since 2003. She has worked extensively in North America, Asia and Africa; she has published more than 100 research papers, written popular articles, presented and...
When science relates to culture such as food, music, sports, traditional events, etc. then it can be more relevant to people. We will explore potentially (un)successful original examples from France, Austria and Japan. How can we initiate...
Natural history museums and science centres stress that biodiversity deserves protection. Many museums display old specimens, sometimes of extinct species. Can they take the risk of using those “unfortunate ambassadors of biodiversity” to engage...
It is not always easy to transmit the evolution of the role of museums: not only places of research, education and exhibitions but also places of dialogue. This is particularly necessary for experts of science communication such as journalists....
Thomas Edison reportedly made over a thousand unsuccessful attempts to create a lightbulb before hitting the solution that worked. A constructive approach to failure is recognised as a key factor in innovative organisations. This session invites...
In this interactive session, many speakers briefly present examples of competitions they have run. Speakers and audience then engage in a live discussion involving reflection, philosophy and physical movement. Everyone is invited to propose their...
From the times when astronomical knowledge was based on naked eye observation to the 21st century, when huge scientific instruments reveal the diversity of the far universe, imagination and dreams are still at the heart of sky observation,...
Four different approaches will be presented where science centres promote innovative training courses for school teachers, offer workshops and outreach in schools as well as at the science centres. Questions will be addressed, such as how...
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