The European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite) is set to descend on the Renzo Piano-designed MUSE (Museo delle Scienze) in Trento, Italy, for its 2015 annual conference.

From 11 to 13 June, 1,000 delegates from the science centre community are expected at the Ecsite conference, which marks its 26th edition this year.

The event is one of the sector’s leading stages for showcasing research into public engagement with science. The schedule revolves around more than 90 sessions, including talks by high-profile speakers, debates and workshops. There’s also a trade show event, Business Bistro, with more than 50 exhibitors. There will be ample networking opportunities.

Keynote speakers include the food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart; European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas; and entrepreneur Andrea Illy of Illicaffè.

This year’s overriding theme is Food for Curious Minds – which chimes with the topic of Expo Milano 2015: Feed the Planet, Energy for Life – although other subjects are on the Ecsite conference menu, including immersive experiences, travelling exhibitions, responsible research, staff exchanges, teenage audiences and synthetic biology.

Ecsite is keen, however, to highlight the role the sector has to play in tackling the biggest problems people face today.

“The Ecsite conference showcases the growing importance of museums and science centres in
facilitating debate on themes of critical societal importance and creating an environment that
fosters informed, evidence-based decision making and action,” said Rosalia Vargas, president of Ecsite.

Professionals working in science centres or museums, natural history museums, universities, zoos and aquariums, research institutes and companies in the sector are invited to attend.

The eco-friendly MUSE science museum, which opened near the Dolomites mountains in July 2013, promises to provide a striking backdrop to the conference.

For more information, see www.ecsite.eu/annual_conference.