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]

ESC 1, Germany 1989

Date: 5–7 May

Place: Bad Tölz

ESC 2, Belgium 1990

Date: 10–11 August^[3]

Place: Brussels

ESC 3, Netherlands 1991

Date: 4–5 October^[4]

Place: Amsterdam

ESC 4, Italy 1992

Date: 17–19 July^[5]

Place: Saint-Vincent

ESC 5, United Kingdom 1993

Date: 29–31 August

Place: Keele

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

ESC 6, Belgium 1994

Date: 23–25 September

Place: Ostend

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

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

ESC 7, Germany 1995

Date: 4–7 May

Place: Roßdorf

ESC 8, Spain 1997

Date: 4–7 September

Place: A Coruña

ESC 9, Netherlands 1999

Date: 17–19 September

Place: Maastricht

Hosted by Stichting Skepsis^[8]

ESC 10, Czech Republic 2001

Date: 7–9 September

Place: Prague

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

ESC 11, United Kingdom 2003

Date: 5–7 September

Place: London

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

ESC 12, Belgium 2005

Date: 13–15 October

Place: Brussels

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

ESC 13, Ireland 2007

Date: 7–9 September

Place: Dublin

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

ESC 14, Hungary 2010

Date: 17–19 September

Place: Budapest^[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.

ESC 15, Sweden 2013

Date: 22–25 August

Place: Stockholm

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

Tomasz Witkowski lecturing at the 15th European Skeptics Congress 2013

ESC 16, United Kingdom 2015

Date: 10–13 September

Place: London

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

ESC 17, Poland 2017

Date: 22–24 September

Place: Wrocław

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

• András Gábor Pintér
• Diego Fontanive
• Eran Segev
• Konrad Talmont-Kamiński
• Leo Igwe
• Marcin Rotkiewicz
• Ovidiu Covaciu
• Petr Jan Vinš
• Scott Lilienfeld
• Sofie Vanthournout
• Susan Gerbic
• Tomáš Moravec

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

ESC 18, Belgium 2019

Date: 30 August – 1 September

Place: Ghent

• 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

ESC 19, Austria 2022

Date: 9–11 September

Place: Billrothhaus, Vienna^[43]

• 
  European Skeptics Congress 2022
• 
  European Skeptics Podcast members and Massimo Polidoro
• 
  Matej Kucek, Olívia Hurbanová, Claire Klingenberg and Jakub Kroulik
• 
  Holm Hümmler, Johannes Kopton Georg Steinhauser
• 
  GWUP president, Amardeo Sarma
• 
  Franck Ramus
• 
  Massimo Pigliucci
• 
  Pontus Böckman and Stephen Law

• Florian Aigner – Why we can trust in Science
• David Badcock – The future – Rational European drug policies
• Pontus Böckman – chairperson for the session Skepticism in the Classroom
• Giulia Conforto – Making science-based decisions in politics (Panel)
• Katalin Cseh – Making science-based decisions in politics (Panel)
• Annika Harrison – The Skeptical Movement in Europe (Panel)
• Alice Howarth – The Skeptical Movement in Europe (Panel)
• Holm Hümmler – 5G mobile networks – the conspiracy myths and what they really do
• Catherine de Jong – chairperson for the session Towards Rational European Drug Policies
• Gábor Kemenesi – The strange relationship of humanity and pandemics in the 21st century
• Claire Klingenberg – chairperson for the session The Skeptical Movement in Europe (Panel)
• Johannes Kopton – “Natural” or sustainable? Agriculture Environmentalism at the Crossroads
• Péter Krekó – The structure of pseudo-scientific revolutions
• Stephen Law – How to raise moral citizens
• Philippe Longchamps – Teacher competence and the combat against misinformation
• Elisa Palazzi – Communicating uncertainty in the science of climate change
• Kellie C. Payne – Making science-based decisions in politics (Panel)
• Massimo Pigliucci – Skepticism as a way of life
• András Gábor Pintér – chairperson for the session Making science-based decisions in politics (Panel)
• Massimo Polidoro – The Skeptical Movement in Europe (Panel)
• Claudia Preis – chairperson for Keynotes Why we can trust in Science and Skepticism as a way of life
• Jan-Willem van Prooijen – Belief in conspiracy theories during a pandemic
• Franck Ramus – What is evidence-based education?
• Sergio Della Sala – The reliable uncertainty of science
• Amardeo Sarma – chairperson for the session Conspiracy Theories
• Ulrike Schiesser – Building bridges – how to talk to conspiracy believers
• Anne Katrin Schlag – The truth about drugs: From misinformation to science
• Georg Steinhauser – The hazards of radiation

See also

• List of skeptical conferences
• QED: Question, Explore, Discover
• The Amaz!ng Meeting (TAM!)
• CSICon

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). 3 (4). Stichting Skepsis: 30–31.
4. Hulspas, Marcel (December 1991). "Van APE-mensen tot wijntherapie. Het derde Euroskeptics Congres". Skepter (in Dutch). 4 (4). Stichting Skepsis: 30–31.
5. Koene, Bart; Nanninga, Rob (September 1992). "Quali prove? Het vierde EuroSkeptics congres". Skepter (in Dutch). 5 (3). Stichting Skepsis: 1–3.
6. Poley, Stephen (December 1994). "Bijeen in Oostende. Het zesde EuroSkeptics congres". Skepter (in Dutch). 7 (4). Stichting Skepsis: 8–10.
7. de Jager, Kees (December 1994). "Een Europese Skeptische organisatie". Skepter (in Dutch). 7 (4). Stichting Skepsis: 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. 26 (1). CSICOP. 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" (podcast). 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.
43. Klingenberg, Claire. "European Skeptics Congress 2022". European Skeptics. Retrieved 2022-07-17.

External links

• Official website