The conference focus

Exploring Risk

Risk is a source of creativity and one of the factors
that shapes what we do and who we are.
Science centres and museums are places of innovation, and no innovation is possible without
risk-taking, to break new boundaries. But not
everything we do succeeds.
For the 2010 Ecsite Annual Conference, we invite
you to abandon your comfort zone! Join us in
a critical and thought-provoking look at the work
of science centres and museums, learning from
shared experiences both positive and negative.
What happens when we stop playing it safe?
What risks do we take in our exhibitions and programmes?

We want to hear your experiences of tackling scientific content that‘s contentious, or hard to communicate. Perhaps you are going out on a limb to reach new audiences, inside or outside the walls of the institution. It can be the tools of communication that pose a threat – have you gambled on new technologies or innovative
approaches? Did it pay off? What were some of
the lessons learned?

We also want to discover what is at stake
when you push the limits of a science centre
or museum‘s role in society. By questioning our
position, are we in danger of weakening it? Our
centres and museums traditionally present science
in a positive light – do we dare to look into more questionable aspects of science and its social and political power? And has the economic climate forced us to be more careful with our finances, or on the contrary, is now the time to experiment with new innovative ways of managing our institutions?

As well as reflecting on our community, we will
look more broadly at the field of science and
technology and its complex relationship with
risk. As we face global threats like climate
change, epidemics and economic struggles, do
people see science as part of the problem, or
part of the solution? And where do scientists
and science communicators place themselves in
this debate?

We look forward to making many discoveries
together in Dortmund in 2010!