European Skeptics Congress

European Skeptics Congresses (ESCs) – a series of congresses now supported by the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO), in which skeptical organisations from many different European countries participate. They have been held ever since 1989. The conferences are often held in the month of September, and may last from two up to four days. The ECSO was formed at the 6th ESC on 25 September 1994 in Ostend, Belgium. Since its foundation, the ECSO co-ordinates in the organisation of new ESCs that take place (on average) every other year, and is hosted by a different member organisation each time. Skeptical organisations that are non-ECSO members may also send their delegations. Past ESCs are enumerated below.[1][2]

1st European Skeptics Congress

Date: 5–7 May 1989

Place: Bad Tölz, West Germany

2nd European Skeptics Congress

Date: 10–11 August 1990[3]

Place: Brussels, Belgium

3rd European Skeptics Congress

Date: 4–5 October 1991[4]

Place: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

4th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 17–19 July 1992[5]

Place: Saint-Vincent, Italy

5th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 29–31 August 1993

Place: Keele, UK

Theme: "Science for Life: Health, Medicine and Well-Being". Organised by the UK Skeptics.

6th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 23–25 September 1994

Place: Ostend, Belgium

Theme: "Science, Pseudoscience and the Environment".[6]

During this congress the European Council of Skeptical Organisations was formed.[7]

7th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 4–7 May 1995

Place: Roßdorf, Germany

8th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 4–7 September 1997

Place: A Coruña, Spain

9th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 17–19 September 1999

Place: Maastricht, The Netherlands

Hosted by Stichting Skepsis[8]

10th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 7–9 September 2001

Place: Prague, Czech Republic

Theme: "Rise and Development of Paranormal Beliefs in Eastern Europe"[9]

11th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 5–7 September 2003

Place: London, UK

ECSO Board and CSICOP members meeting at the 11th European Skeptics Congress in London.

12th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 13–15 October 2005

Place: Brussels, Belgium

Theme: "Pseudoscience, Alternative Medicine and the Media"[10]

13th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 7–9 September 2007

Place: Dublin, Ireland

Theme: "The Assault on Science: Constructing a Response"[11] 100+ attendees.[12]

14th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 17–19 September 2010

Place: Budapest, Hungary[13]

Speakers at the 14th European Skeptics Congress in Budapest.
Front row, from left to right: Chris French, J. Beth Ciesielski, Michael Heap, György Kampis, Amardeo Sarma, István Vágó, Klára Sándor, Massimo Polidoro, Iván Almár, Luigi Garlaschelli.
Back row, from left to right: Gergely Röst, Andy Wilson, Wim Betz, Tomasz Witkowski, Attila Nyerges, Maciej Zatonski, Simon Singh, Gerald de Jong, Klaus Schmeh, Joe Nickell.

15th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 22–25 August 2013

Place: Stockholm, Sweden

Theme: "ESCape to Clarity!"[14][15]

Tomasz Witkowski lecturing at the 15th European Skeptics Congress 2013.

16th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 10–13 September 2015

Place: London, UK

Organised by Association for Skeptical Enquiry and Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit[16]

Meeting of the representatives of ECSO member organisations at the European Skeptics Congress 2015 in London

17th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 22-24 September 2017

Place: Wrocław, Poland

Everyone gathered on stage at the 17th Congress.

Organised by Klub Sceptyków Polskich and Český klub skeptiků Sisyfos[17]

The speakers:[18]

  • Deborah Hyde — The Restless Ghost of Wroclaw[19]
  • Diego Fontanive — Meta-Memetic Thinking and Skepticism as a Meme[20]
  • Eran Segev – The Secrets of an Effective Skeptical Organization[21]
  • Gerald Ostdiek – Believing in Biology: The Religious Imagination of Living Things (Including People)[22]
  • Holm Gero Hümmler — Relative Quantum Nonsense: Don't be Fooled by False Physics![23]
  • Jakub Kroulik – Exorcism by Hypnosis[24]
  • James Randi[25]
  • Konrad Szołajski — The Battle with Satan in Poland[26]
  • Konrad Talmont-Kamiński — Cognition and the Science/Religion Debate[27]
  • Leo Igwe — "Robber Goat", "Bird Woman" and "Cat Woman": How Religion is Hampering Scientific Thinking in Africa[28]
  • Marcin Rotkiewicz — Rational Thinking vs. Moral Disgust: Why the Discussion about GMOs Is So Hard and the Scientific Evidence Is Unable to Convince the Public[29]
  • Mariusz Błochowiak — Rational justification for the existence of the devil and the exorcism[30]
  • Mark Lynas — Why anti-GMO activists are the new climate deniers[31]
  • Massimo Polidoro — An interview with James Randi[32]
  • Ovidiu Covaciu — How the Romanian anti-vaccine movement threatens Europe[33]
  • Petr Jan Vinš – A Priest's View[34]
  • Scott Lilienfeld – Tunnel Vision: Confirmation Bias from Courtroom to Boardroom to Bedroom[35]
  • Sofie Vanthournout — Talking about Evidence in the Post-Truth Era[36]
  • Susan Blackmore — Positive Scepticism: The new science of out-of-body experiences[37]
  • Susan Gerbic — We Marched for Science – Now What?[38]
  • Tomáš Moravec – How Rational are the Fears of GMOs?[39]
  • Zbynek Vybiral — Why Psychology Is Not Only in a Replication Crisis[40]
Recordings of speeches during the 17th European Skeptics Congress

There were also free workshops organised for the public.[41]

18th European Skeptics Congress

Date: 30 August - 1 September 2019

Place: Ghent, Belgium

  • Norbert Aust — Informationsnetzwerk Homöopathie[42]
  • Mathijs Beckers — How skepticism helped me become pro-nuclear
  • Johan Braeckman — Con men in the art world
  • Vanessa Charland — Near-death experiences: actual considerations
  • Ovidiu Covaciu — The antivaccination activists, misinformation and the damage done
  • Edzard Ernst — The battle against SCAM. Are we winning?
  • Farah Focqaert — How con men operate
  • André Fougeroux — Is it still possible to rationally address modern agriculture ?
  • Lieven Gheysen (Aka. Gili)
  • Michael Heap — Anomalistic Psychology in the Classroom
  • Inge Jeandarme — Dealing with psychopathy
  • Catherine de Jong — Chairperson for the session The never-ending struggle against quackery
  • Michel Naud — Science and decision: towards restoring scientific integrity in policy making
  • Jan Willem Nienhuys — Descent into one’s own illusion
  • Geerdt Magiels — Chairperson for the session on Anomalistic Psychology
  • Christine Mohr — When using magicians to study how paranormal beliefs come about
  • Iida Ruishalme — Energy and decarbonisation
  • Amardeo Sarma — Chairperson for the session on Green Skepticism
  • Kavin Senapathy — GMOs, modern agriculture, and the People
  • Lukas Stalpers — Vitamin B12 clinics: An example of a hype that results in clinics with quackery
  • Tim Trachet — Chairperson for the session on 30 Years of European Skepticism
  • Dirk Vogelaers — Lyme disease: An example of a real disease misused by quacks
  • Wietse Wiels — Co-chairing the session The never-ending struggle against quackery
  • David Zaruk — Reason has left the building: How the emotional need for certainty and safety has handcuffed research and technology
  • Sophie van der Zee — How con men operate in cyberspace

See also

References
  1. "Earlier European skeptic events". HSS website. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  2. "European Skeptic Congress and ECSO Events". Lanyrd. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  3. Michels, Hans (1990). "Over de frontlijn. De European Skeptics Conference 1990". Skepter (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. 3 (4): 30–31.
  4. Hulspas, Marcel (December 1991). "Van APE-mensen tot wijntherapie. Het derde Euroskeptics Congres". Skepter (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. 4 (4): 30–31.
  5. Koene, Bart; Nanninga, Rob (September 1992). "Quali prove? Het vierde EuroSkeptics congres". Skepter (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. 5 (3): 1–3.
  6. Poley, Stephen (December 1994). "Bijeen in Oostende. Het zesde EuroSkeptics congres". Skepter (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. 7 (4): 8–10.
  7. de Jager, Kees (December 1994). "Een Europese Skeptische organisatie". Skepter (in Dutch). Stichting Skepsis. 7 (4): 11.
  8. Ted de Hoog (6 October 1999). "Sceptici aller landen..." De Groene Amsterdammer (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  9. Mahner, Martin (February 2002). "10th European Skeptics Congress: Rise and Development of Paranormal Beliefs in Eastern Europe". Skeptical Inquirer. CSICOP. 26 (1). Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  10. "European Skeptics Congress 2005". University of Hasselt. 11 October 2005. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  11. "13th Congress of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO)". ISS website. 2007. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  12. Shane Hegarty (7 September 2007). "Surely it's not the sceptics?". The Irish Times.
  13. Hall, Mike; Marshall, Michael; Harris, Colin (23 September 2010). "Skeptics with a K: Episode #031". Skeptics with a K. Episode 31. Merseyside Skeptics Society. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  14. Agnes Tieben (27 May 2013). "15th European Skeptics congress, 23 – 25 augustus 2013, Stockholm, Sweden" (in Dutch). Klopt Dat Wel?. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  15. Frazier, Kendrick (16 September 2013). "Three Days of Science and Skepticism in Stockholm". CSI website. Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  16. European Skeptics Congress Archived 2014-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
  17. "Congress – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-07-20. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  18. "Speakers – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-07-20. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  19. "Deborah Hyde – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  20. "Diego Fontanive – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  21. "Eran Segev – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  22. "Gerald Ostdiek – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  23. "Holm Gero Hümmler – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  24. "Jakub Kroulik – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  25. "James "The Amazing" Randi – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  26. "Konrad Szolajski – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  27. "Konrad Talmont-Kaminski – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  28. "Leo Igwe – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  29. "Marcin Rotkiewicz – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  30. "Mariusz Błochowiak – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  31. "Mark Lynas – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  32. "Massimo Polidoro – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  33. "Ovidiu Covaciu – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  34. "Petr Jan Vinš – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  35. "Scott Lilienfeld – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  36. "Sophie Vanthournout – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  37. "Susan Blackmore – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  38. "Susan Gerbic – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  39. "Tomáš Moravec – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  40. "Zbynek Vybiral – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  41. "Workshops for the Public – European Skeptics Congress". ESC Wrocław. 17th European Skeptics Congress. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  42. "Speakers". European Skeptics Congress 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-30.
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