The 2018 Ecsite Annual Conference is officially starting today in Geneva, Switzerland. It will bring together 1,100+ science engagement professionals over the next 5 days. Registration is still possible on site.
If you're currently making your way to the conference, here is some practical information to help you plan your stay.
The conference is celebrating its 29th edition and is hosted by the Natural History Museum of Geneva in partnership with CERN, University of Geneva Scienscope, and Campus Biotech.
The programme offers a diverse mix of more than 90 sessions delivered by over 400 speakers, ranging from science communication in the post-truth era to exhibition narratives. Other covered topics include responsible research, gender equity, touring exhibitions or virtual reality.
High profile guest speakers will include:
- Keynote speaker James Beacham, particle physicist at CERN, speaking on Friday 8 June
- Keynote speakers Giulia and Jill Enders, author and illustrator of the internationally acclaimed book Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ, speaking on Saturday 9 June
More than 50 exhibitors will be showcasing their latest products and services at the buzzing Business Bistro and participants will be able to get hands-on in two workshop spaces, the MakerSpace and the GameLab.
Not to forget the many networking opportunities and social events like the Gala Dinner held at The Vernets ice rink (Thursday 7 June); the Nocturne, an evening of science entertainment at the Natural History Museum of Geneva (Friday 8 June); and the Farewell Party, at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (Saturday 9 June).
Today is the first of two days of in-depth pre-conference workshops, with five parallel full-day sessions. Participants will be exploring how to engage audiences with space; dusting up their evaluation fundamentals; discussing inquiry-based workshops for high school students; unraveling the potential of live action games as communication tool; or deepening their understanding of data-based marketing. This evening the Natural History Museum of Geneva is inviting participants to an exhibition opening at the History of Science Museum located on the banks of Lake Geneva. The "Animal beauty - From taxidermy to sculptors" exhibition features François Chapelain-Midy, Yvan Larsen and Thierri Jaccoud.
Follow the #Ecsite2018 feed on Twitter, connect on Facebook, browse through pictures on Flickr… and stay tuned for today’s slideshow summary released tomorrow morning.