From 15 – 17 June 2023, Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums, held its annual conference, hosted by Esplora Science Centre in Valletta, Malta.
Over the course of the three-day event, museum and science communication professionals from across Europe and beyond were able to connect, share ideas, discuss key topics and provide inspiration. There was also a trade show element, the Business Bistro. Here exhibitors presented the latest in exhibit design, museum technology, and more.
Against the backdrop of this stunning Mediterranean city and within the setting of a 16th-century hospital turned modern-day conference centre, attendees had the chance to hear from inspiring speakers on a wide range of relevant topics, share best practices, and make new connections from across the science communication community. All under impressive vaulted ceilings and the watchful eyes of suits of armour!
Ecsite 2023 – day one
To begin the Opening Ceremony, attendees were treated to a dance performance by ŻfinMalta, and later a snippet of Teatru Malta’s production of O. Both were artistic reactions to and interpretations of the climate and biodiversity crisis that we are facing. This set the tone as one of the key themes of this year’s conference. The other themes were health and well-being; equity, diversity and inclusion; misinformation and trust; and 21st-century skills.
Local representatives addressed the crowd, including Clifton Grima, Minister for Education and Sport, and Dr Tonio Portughese of the Malta Council for Science and Technology. Both spoke about the importance of science education and science communication. Following this, Catherine Franche, Ecsite’s executive director, and Bruno Maquart, president of Ecsite, took to the stage to welcome attendees.
As part of this welcome, Franche addressed the challenges ahead, urging attendees to “shift from a heart that cares, to a heart that acts”. Dr Portughese also returned to the stage, becoming the first person to sign Ecsite’s Environmental Emergency Action (EEEA) Pledge. Throughout the rest of the conference, this was located at the registration desk for attendees to sign as well.
Educational sessions begin
Concurrent sessions then took place throughout the day, with breaks for lunch and coffee. One interesting session was presented by Catherine Oualian of Universcience, an organisation that works to make science accessible to all, on the topic of how to approach sensitive subjects. Annemarie van Eekeren from NEMO Science Museum gave insights from NEMO’s Energy Junkies exhibition. This faced the challenge of how to present harsh truths to a broader audience and used humour to approach the topic in a new way.
We also heard from Lisa Faye of Universcience. She referenced a number of exhibitions that touched on hard-to-talk-about subjects, including cancer, coronavirus and vaccinations, love, and the climate emergency. Then Heidi Rosenström of Heureuka spoke about the Finnish venue’s exhibition on mental health and shared lessons the team learned along the way.
What’s new in travelling exhibitions?
In a fast-paced, two-part session, we had a whistlestop tour of some of the newest touring exhibitions.
This included Pristine Seas and Beyond King Tut from the National Geographic Society, the popular Sharks! exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur from Natural History Museum London. Universcience presented its new CROWDOLOGY, the Science of Crowds exhibition and Nomad Exhibitions talked about Jurassic Island: Life with Dinosaurs.
In part two, attendees heard about new exhibitions from Imagine Exhibitions, including Brick Planet and Bricktivty, featuring Lego art from Sean Kenney, as well as Ice Dinosaurs. National Museums Liverpool presented Bees: a Story of Survival. Then the team from AMNH returned to talk about Mirrors: In and Out of Reality.
Exhibits Development Group introduced the Culturenut initiative as well as new exhibitions including Sherlock Holmes and Electric Playhouse. The Science Museum Group also offered up Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You. Finally, ‘Dino’ Don Lessem talked about the joy of discovering dinosaurs through exhibitions.
Gala Dinner and Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards
In the evening, Ecsite 2023 attendees had the chance to attend a special Gala Dinner. During this event, Ecsite revealed the 2023 Mariano Gago Ecsite Award winners. This year’s Beacon of the Year is Justin Dillon, professor of science and environmental education at University College London (UCL). The 2023 Responsible and Responsive Award went to the Natural History Museum in London.
Ecsite 2023 – day two
On day two of Ecsite 2023, educational sessions continued. First, we attended a session called ‘What kind of science explainers do we need?’
This featured insights from Sarah Funk from the Science Center Netzwerk; Catherine Oualian of Universcience; Natalia Cândido Vendrasco from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; and Inga Specht of Leibniz Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels. The speakers presented their findings about the skills, knowledge and competencies that science explainers need.
Keynote from Dr Lauren Vargas
A consultant, independent researcher and self-described ‘Digital Dragon Wrangler’, Dr Lauren Vargas presented a keynote entitled Digital maturity: take CARE to be CALM. She began by talking about the importance of imagination. She said that “Collective imagination is crucial in our relationship with the future…we must focus on enhancing our collective capacity for innovation and imagination. ”
Vargas also stressed that imagination isn’t a luxury or a talent for the few. It needs to be nurtured.
Vargas then defined what she means by digital renovation, and explained why she is calling for this over digital transformation.
Tools for change
In the afternoon, one highlight was a session called ‘Evidence for change: using tools to track and reduce the environmental impact of creating exhibitions’. In this, Hannah Boddy and Sarah Teale of National Museums Scotland; Christian Sichau of experimenta; Maarten Taborsky from Bruns BV; and Gabrielle Zaug of Universcience showed the tools that they have been using in order to do the vital work of measuring the carbon footprints of their exhibitions.
Boddy made the point that museums don’t talk about their carbon footprint enough. Yet they must do so in order to be able to make a change.
The importance of IP
Next, we heard from across the pond as Frederic Bertley and Sara Leikin of COSI joined Henna Bhatti from the Science Museum Group and Ali Hossaini of Lord Cultural Resources, the world’s largest cultural professional practice, to talk about intellectual property (IP) and how this is the best-kept secret from museums and science centres.
Bhatti spoke about how the Science Museum Group has taken the jewel of its collection, the Flying Scotsman, and created new IP and partnerships around this to celebrate the locomotive’s centenary. This includes a children’s book by Michael Morpurgo, stamps from the Royal Mail, a new coin from the Royal Mint, and models from Hornby. The museum group has also created a VR experience, working with Sarner International, the leading experiential design expert, and Figment Productions.
We also heard about COSI’s joint project with USAID and the Egyptian government, working with schools in Egypt to encourage STEM skills, develop the local talent pipeline, and also help these students know how to protect their work. In addition, Bertley talked about the work that COSI is doing in the US to educate people about IP, trademarks, patents and copyright.
Speaking from the perspective of both artist and museum consultant, Hossaini posed the question: ‘What’s the difference between appropriation and inspiration?’
Nocturne
The Ecsite Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on Friday afternoon, open to all Ecsite members. After this, attendees could take part in community meet-ups, and enjoy the Business Bistro Happy Hour.
In the evening, delegates headed over to Esplora, Malta’s science centre, for an evening of music, science, food and fun.
Throughout the evening, there were science shows and workshops, planetarium shows, and attendees could explore the museum’s interactive exhibits. We were also treated to performances from the Ecsite jazz band, and some took to the mic themselves in a karaoke session.
Ecsite 2023 – day three
To start day three, we headed to a session called‘Reinventing an icon: two perspectives’. In this session, moderated by Marjolein van Breemen from Naturalis Biodiversity Center, attendees heard from Daniel Tan of Science Center Singapore, Brad Irwin of NHM London and Jim Broughton of Event, the experience design agency.
NHM has undergone a period of reinvention. As part of this, it has come up with a new mission and a new vision to reflect the planetary emergency and to empower people to act. Irwin explained how the museum has been working with global youth voices, in order to give them a platform and to open the conversation up with new perspectives. It is also taking part in global climate events, such as COP26. Here, it can help to bring an element of storytelling and emotional connection to these meetings.
Meanwhile, Science Centre Singapore, which opened in 1977, is hoping to move into its new space in time for its 50th anniversary in 2027. Unlike NHM, this museum is keeping its vision and mission the same. Tan said the team felt these words were now more vital than ever. He presented some of the concept drawings for the new space. The venue is designed to be open and engaging, as well as sustainable.
We also heard from Broughton about some of the opportunities that are available when designing new museum spaces and new exhibitions. Event recently completed the visitor experience masterplan for Science Centre Singapore’s new space. Broughton stressed that it is important to involve the staff and get them on board. After all, they know the museum and they know the challenges.
Keynote from Rob Hopkins
The second keynote of Ecsite 2023 was delivered by Rob Hopkins, co-founder of Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes.
Hopkins, who has taken a no-flying pledge for the environment and who appeared virtually, began by stressing the importance of taking action on the climate crisis, saying:
“If you’re not terrified, you’re not paying attention.” However, he then went on to deliver a keynote address full of hope and inspiration for a better future. He spoke about the need to rethink and transition to a degrowth model. He also highlighted a quote from the Institute of the Future: “Any useful statement about the future should at first seem ridiculous”. Hopkins urged: “Please, in the work that you do, be more ridiculous…we need big, bold, ambitious plans now.”
An inspirational keynote. At a time when we need to rethink everything & switch to a degrowth model, Hopkins talks on the power of imagination & longing for a better future: "Please, in the work that you do, be more ridiculous. We need big, bold, ambitious plans" #Ecsite2023 pic.twitter.com/bGeGXzftC8
— blooloop (@Blooloop) June 17, 2023
In the West, we talk about time as linear. But it can be useful to look at it through the lens of other societies, who view it differently. For instance, Afrofuturism talks about time as a wheel, with many different possibilities radiating outwards. This can help us to counter the feeling that we are too far down one path and that it is too late to make a difference. With this, Hopkins set the scene for a journey to 2030, where he described seeing a beautiful, sustainable future.
We took in a vision of a car-free future and saw images where banks and infrastructure had been taken into public ownership, where co-housing projects and urban gardens flourished, and where the emphasis was placed on local resources and local projects. Hopkins spoke about the need for longing in creating a new future, saying we have to trigger and nurture people’s longing.
He then revealed that all the images we saw in our ‘journey to the future’ are of existing projects; everything we need to know is already here. We have the tools at our fingertips.
Futures literacy
The future theme continued, with a session on futures literacy with Raul Corrêa-Smith of the MOTI Foundation; Lath Carlson from the Museum of the Future; Maria Isabel Garcia of The Mind Museum; and Stefan Brandt of Futurium.
Corrêa-Smith began by introducing FORMS – Futures-Oriented Museum Synergies – of which Museum of the Future and Futurium are both members. He also spoke about the concept and importance of futures literacy.
Brandt then talked about Futurium. This Berlin museum aims not to predict the future but to promote an open understanding, and to give options of different approaches. The idea is to enable people to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable future. Futurium does this through three pillars, its exhibitions, its forum, and the Futurium lab.
Carlson then spoke about how the narratives of the future that we usually see in popular culture are outdated and stuck. We’re given a singular narrative where people are inhabiting a world that is broken, where technology is to blame, and where we’re waiting for a hero to save us.
The Museum of the Future, however, aims to engage people in a different narrative, one where the world is amazing and technology is just a tool; it’s people that matter, and everyone can make a difference. Using immersive storytelling, engaging staff, and an empathy-based approach, the museum wants to help them to imagine different possible futures.
Garcia addressed the fact that the Philippines, where The Mind Museum is located, is in the crosshairs of the climate crisis. Her team’s aim is to break the speed of the bullet. She spoke about viewing the museum as an organism, not a sacred place with immovable traditions. She then explained how this approach makes it easier to work with communities and other organisations, such as USAID.
A crystal ball
In ‘The crystal ball challenge: imagining the perfect exhibition on the climate and energy crisis’, we heard from Raphael Chanay of Universcience; Lizzy Bakker from NEMO Science Museum; Adrien Stalter of Universcience; and Jürgen Öhlinger and Helene Wagner from Technisches Museum Wien.
They called for attendees to contribute their thoughts on what is stopping them from creating impactful exhibitions around climate change. Delegates then split into groups to discuss these challenges and how their institutions can overcome them.
Closing ceremony
Following his reelection at Friday’s AGM, Ecsite chairman Bruno Maquart took to the stage to wrap up this year’s conference. He thanked members for their support and then welcomed the newly elected board members, adding:
“This new team is here to serve you and the network. They are wonderfully friendly so please do not hesitate to contact them to ask any questions!”
Maquart also announced that 41 Ecsite members have now signed the Ecsite Environmental Emergency Pledge. This includes nine new signees during this year’s event. They were welcomed on stage and applauded. He then congratulated this year’s Mariano Gaga Award winners, Professor Justin Dillon and the Natural History Museum in London.
Brad Irwin, head of the Ecsite Conference Programming Committee (ACPC) addressed attendees, talking about his highlights from this year’s event. He then thanked the APCP members for their hard work. It was also announced that 875 people attended Ecsite 2023.
In addition, we heard from Zibel, a Maltese-based NGO that is working to reduce the overall waste generated on the islands and restore the natural environments in this area to their most natural states. Ecsite has contributed to Zibel as part of its climate offsetting for the event.
The team from Ecsite 2023 hosts Esplora were given a standing ovation from the audience in the closing ceremony. Then, the torch was passed on to Ljubljana in Slovenia.
For a final hurrah, attendees could head to the ticketed Farewell Party to chat, share a drink with other participants and enjoy a dance.
Business Bistro
Over the course of three days at Ecsite 2023, attendees could also browse the Business Bistro trade show. Exhibitors were presenting the latest exhibitions, new museum technology, and more.
For example, the Natural History Museum spoke about the new Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur exhibition. It has also created a travelling version of the successful Our Broken Planet exhibition. This is the museum’s first touring exhibition to be delivered 100% digitally.
Exhibits Development Group had a large range of titles on display at the booth. This included new shows Evolution, Electric Playhouse Travels and Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition. The team were also on hand to explain more about the firm’s Culturenut initiative, a recycle, reuse and repurpose company supporting cultural institutions around the world to reduce their waste.
A highlight from Imagine Exhibitions was Brick Planet, a new exhibition concept created in partnership with Lego artist Sean Kenney. It is also preparing to launch its new Ice Dinosaurs exhibition in early 2024.
New shows and new partnerships
The National Geographic team were also showcasing travelling exhibitions in the Business Bistro, including Pristine Seas: Bringing the Ocean Back, currently on display at Museon-Ominversum, and the Wolves exhibition
AMNH highlighted a number of new touring exhibitions, including Sharks! This aims to show that sharks are a lot less dangerous and a lot more interesting than people think. AMNH also announced that it will be the exclusive partner for the La Caixa Foundation through CosmoCaixa’s catalogue of science content. The team will bring this unique mix of immersive experiences and expert-backed content to its venue partners. It celebrated the partnership with Spanish-themed snacks during the Business Bistro happy hour.
Amongst other titles, Universcience presented its latest exhibition, CROWDOLOGY, the science of crowds, which will be touring from Spring 2024. This calls on a variety of disciplines: fluid mechanics, granular physics, mathematics, behavioural science and social psychology.
Sponsors of Ecsite 2023
Ecsite 2023 was sponsored by YIPP, experimenta, National Geographic Society, Archimedes Exhibitions, Sky-Skan Expo Booking, and The Touring Exhibitions Organisation (Teo), a one-stop resource platform for the international touring exhibitions community,
Ecsite 2024 will be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 5 – 8 June 2024.
