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.
Nele Van der ElstMarjolein Van GinnekenPieter TijtgatJose Augusto OcampoJens Astrup
If we really want to succeed in lifelong learning, STEM and digital literacy for everyone, we need to have clear goals and a toolbox for reaching those goals. Nowadays, many science organisations create exciting, popular exhibits that are...
Marketing & communication
Brad MacDonaldKatie PavidDanny BirchallTom Rockwell
Over half of the world’s population now has an internet connection. In this digital era, how do we create compelling yet accessible learning experiences for the global public? In a time where 'fake news' is rife, museums have a big part to play...
Patricia VerheydenMikko MyllykoskiAilsa BarryMaribel IbarraYuko OkayamaMaria Isabel GarciaJulia WillisonElizabeth RasekoalaLath CarlsonJuan Pablo Gaviria Arteaga
What are our greatest fears and hopes for the future of our field? How do we see the world evolve, and what will the role of our institutions be? Will science centres and museums still exist? Moreover, if they are still around what will they be...
Cristina PacaAnna RiethusTanja AdnađevićDobrivoje Lale EricHolger SeifertSümeyye Ceylan
Could an object describe your entire project?
The courageous speakers of this session took on this challenge and will be telling you about their projects in an original and jargon-free style.
Expect a 2-minute story for each project...
Research, theory & evaluation
Patricia VerheydenDaria DvorzhitskaiaNils Petter HauanAndrea DurhamVictoria Thomson
Why is it important to evaluate exhibitions and how do we account for different stakeholders?
In this workshop session our presenters will give a short presentation on their implement evaluation research methods within the exhibition...
The Kavli Foundation keynote lecture
Nicolas Nova is a multidisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of...
Marianne BenningAmparo Leyman PinoAlex VerkadeFrank Kupper
First half of the session: a darkened room. Anonymised seating. Voices speak up in the dark to confess personal professional sins, doubts about their institutions and dubious things we do as a science engagement community. Second half of the...
Ronen MirRobert FirmhoferLinda Abraham SilverNetzach FarbiashDerek FishLinda ConlonAlemayehu Abera
This interactive session will present collaborations with developing countries to implement science centres and STEM education projects, as well as insights from the 2nd Science Centre Global Workshop. Topics include:
* Working with...
Alisson BoiffardMarie PichardHana DethlefsenTom Cummins
To become strong STEM thinkers, children need to play. How can we provide rich play experiences that give children the skills they need in order to deal with the challenges of the future?
Children are born curious and deeply enjoy...
Barbara StreicherSanne den AdelVanessa MignanShaaron LevermentEmanuel ReisSanne den AdelBarbara Streicher
What does it take to be an agent of change and how can we become changemakers as individuals, organisations or networks? We need you to become an active part of the diversity and inclusion movement! We are fast becoming aware that we are neither...
Joanna KalinowskaBenedicte WolffNele Van der ElstLars Maroy
The interactive session will explore - together with you - different models on how institutions use sales to diversify their income. Is it only the tickets that we sell or is it more than this? Speakers will say a few words about their...
Thomas HoferHarry WhiteIan RussellClaire PillsburyCamilla Rossi-Linnemann
Tired of all those self-congratulatory “look what we did” sessions? Now it’s time to appreciate someone else's work! Nothing is more convincing than being inspired by something not part of your field or domain.
In a pecha kucha session,...
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