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At-Bristol gains world-class leader
26 September 2005
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The renowned French scientist and science educator, Dr. Goéry Delacôte,
starts his post this week as the new Chief Executive of At-Bristol, the
South West’s award winning flagship science centre. He joins the
attraction after fifteen years as the Executive Director of the
Exploratorium in San Francisco – voted the world’s best science centre at
this year’s World Science Centre Congress.
Dr. Goéry Delacôte was instrumental in driving the Exploratorium into
global recognition. During his period in office he targeted private and
public funds to raise over $200million to support the Exploratorium’s
capital and operations costs as well as growing the annual budget from
$7million to $28million. He also developed many successful outreach
initiatives and exhibitions, which have been displayed in science centres
around the world. |
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Dr. Delacôte aims to develop At-Bristol in a similar direction,
commenting: “At-Bristol is the top millennium science centres in the UK.
It is a young, flexible, dynamic organisation, with a strong Board and a
dedicated and enthusiastic staff. My aim is to develop At-Bristol into a
European leader in exhibit design and educational and media based
programmes in science and technology, reaching out to the general public,
younger audiences and educators. It will become the hub of a UK and
European network of partner science centres, museums, schools and
universities. This is an ambitious and exciting agenda, which will of
course require an increase in fundraising goals and activities but with
the help of all At-Bristol's many supporters I am convinced that it can be
achieved. I am thrilled to come and lead this process.”
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Peter McIlwraith, Chairman of At-Bristol, added: ”Goéry Delacôte comes to
us from the most famous science centre in the world, the San Francisco
Exploratorium, and his considerable experience is just what At-Bristol
needs as we look to expand its work – locally, regionally, nationally and
globally.”
In November 2001, the French government presented Dr. Delacôte with the
insignia of the Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur, the French equivalent of
knighthood. He is Professor emeritus of Physics at the University of
Paris, Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Palais de la Découverte - the
famous French science museum, and for nine years has been the Director of
the Science and Technology Information Division of the Centre National de
la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). His most recent book, Savoir Apprendre,
tells of his experience of his first five years in California and focuses
on the basic ingredients needed for major educational reform in both
France and the US. |
To contact the At-Bristol Press Office, please call Annabel Iles:
Tel: 0117 915 7152, fax: 0117 915 7200 or email
annabel.iles@at-bristol.org.uk
Note to Editors:
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At-Bristol, a registered
charity, has won 13 awards since opening in 2000 including the Good
Britain Guide 2001’s ‘Family Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Large Attraction
of the Year’ in the England in Excellence Awards South West. It consists
of three attractions:
Explore-At-Bristol - a hands-on science centre, IMAX® Theatre-At-Bristol
- the largest cinema screen in the west of England and Wildwalk-At-Bristol
- a journey from the origins of life to the ends of the Earth.
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It is a Landmark
Millennium Attraction whose principal partners include the Millennium
Commission (£44.3 million), the South West of England Regional Development
Agency (£17.1 million) and Bristol City Council (£15.7 million).
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