StoryCenter 1250 Addison Street, Suite 104, Berkeley, CA 94702

510-548-2065 | www.storycenter.org | info@storycenter.org

How Digital Storytelling Can Enhance Health Training,

Research, and Advocacy:

An Introduction

Presented by:Amy Hill, Silence Speaks Director

amylenita@storycenter.org

“Narratives rarely, if ever, have a solitary existence. They operate concurrently in relation to other stories, and may reinforce, indirectly compete with, or actively confront and resist one another … in ways that shape our understandings.”

(Sharf et al., in The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication, 2011)

Agenda for Today’s Session

• Background on StoryCenter and “Storywork”

• Digital Storytelling Basics: Rationale,Theory, Activities

• Sharing Stories to Effect Change: A Distribution Model

• Key Steps in Project Planning

• Ethical Considerations for Digital Storytelling

View Story• Questions and Discussion

Background on StoryCenter and “storywork”

• Developed original digital storytelling methodology in 1993

• Lengthy history of collaborative storytelling and media efforts worldwide

• Pioneers in a range of “storywork” approaches, all of which emphasize:

- first person narrative- group process- participatory production

Digital Storytelling Basics: What is the rationale for using personal narrativeas part of health promotion work?

• Stories can address universal themes

• Stories can create intimacy between the teller and listener

• Stories can avoid messaging

• Stories can convey a sense of honesty

Digital Storytelling Basics: What theoretical perspectives and methodologiesinform our approach?

• Popular Education

• Culture-Centered Approach

• Narrative and Art Therapy

• Testimonio

View Story

Digital Storytelling Basics: Workshop Activities

• Introductions, Story Examples, “Seven Steps” of Digital Storytelling

• Writing Prompts and Script Development

• Story Circle

• Image Gathering: archival material; on-site photography and videography; art-making activities

• Voiceover Recording

• Editing Tutorial, Participant-Driven Editing

• Story Screening and Celebration

Sharing Stories to Effect Change:A Distribution Model Education &

Training

CommunityBuilding &Mobilization

Policy Advocacy* Created to describe our work with Sonke Gender Justice;

based on the Spectrum of Prevention approach and the Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) model.

Digital Storytelling

Reflection & Leadership

Development

Ethical Considerations for Digital Storytelling:

StoryCenter’s Ethical Practice Guidelines

View Story

• View Consent as a Process, Not a One-Time Event

• Ensure Local Relevance

• Have Clarity re: Knowledge Production and Ownership

• Protect and Enhance Storyteller Well-Being

• Understand Ethical Decision-Making as an Ongoing Activity

• Practice Ethical Story Distribution

Key Steps in Digital Storytelling Planning

• Define Your Purpose for Supporting Story Development

• Consider the Ethical Implications of Your Project

• Identify Your Audiences: Storytellers and Story Viewers

• Create a Strategy for Story Distribution to Effect Change

• Ensure Adequate Resources to Achieve Desired Goals

• Evaluate Effectiveness for Workshop Participants and Audiences

Questions and Discussion

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like more information on storywork or digital storytelling:

Amy Hillamylenita@storycenter.org

510-682-8311

StoryCenter 1250 Addison Street, Suite 104, Berkeley, CA 94702

510-548-2065 | www.storycenter.org | info@storycenter.org

View Story