Dear Members,
Happy New Year to all!
First and foremost, I would like to sincerely thank the many members who answered our call to host the 2026 Ecsite Conference. Your generosity in stepping forward, offering your incredible organisations as hosts on such short notice, exemplifies the true strength of our network. This act of solidarity reminds us that we are a community that supports one another in times of need. In moments of uncertainty, this spirit of generosity and mutual support should serve as our guide in all our interactions with the wider world. By continuing to uphold these values in our actions, we can inspire others to follow our example and help build a better, more compassionate future.
As we step into 2025, I want to reflect on our communal achievements of the past year. In 2024, our network continued to demonstrate its strength and unity through a series of outstanding initiatives. The 2024 Ecsite Conference, hosted by the Kersnikova Institute in Ljubljana, brought us together to explore the intersection of art and science, while the Directors Forum, hosted by We The Curious in Bristol, inspired us with stories of resilience and sustainability. On a broader stage, our MEP Action is working towards our long term goal of promoting science engagement within the EU agenda, and by joining the DG CLIMA European Climate Pact, we reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability. Importantly, our collaboration with the Simons Foundation strengthened science engagement efforts in Ukraine, showcasing the profound impact of our network.
On the topic of collaborations, we will be launching the second edition of the Annual Statistics Survey supported by ASTC in mid-February. From the results of the last survey, it was estimated that Ecsite’s 311 member organisations welcomed over 33 million visits - a remarkable testament to our collective impact. It would be invaluable to see how this figure has evolved in 2024, providing a true measure of the reach and influence of our network. The statistics from this survey also provide valuable insights into how our organisations differ both within and across continents. I was particularly interested to see the difference in space usage outside of exhibitions. Our US based colleagues were more likely to have dedicated classrooms and Making spaces and less likely to have a computer Lab, an auditorium, or Food service than those of us in Europe.
These practical differences in how we operate can spark meaningful discussions and contribute to the development of best practices as we work together to engage the public in science and advance our field. Therefore, I encourage you to join this initiative to share and benefit from the data for the betterment of all our organisations.
Finally, this year brings Ecsite Board elections, with 9 positions, including President, open for nomination. If you’re passionate about shaping our future, I encourage you to apply and help guide our network forward.
Thank you for your commitment to this community and I wish you a fulfilling and prosperous 2025!
Best regards,
Bruno Maquart
President of Ecsite