Our research expertise
Applied Storytelling is one of the University’s key research strengths and we have an international reputation for excellence.
Our expertise is gathered within the Storytelling Academy. Led by Professor Mike Wilson, the Academy is a diverse scholarly community – including a vibrant group of doctoral researchers and MA students.
Involved in a range of interdisciplinary projects, we use a variety of approaches to understand how storytelling can be applied to explore personal, policy, health, social justice and environmental issues.
We have worked throughout the UK and Europe, as well as across Africa, Asia, North and South America.
A diverse range of organisations fund our work including the British Academy and European Commission as well as several UK Research Councils – the AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC and NERC.
In recent years, we have become pioneers in digital storytelling. We are exploring the role of storytelling in our modern digital world and how it could be used to bring new voices into public debates around the major challenges we face.
The rule of three
Like all good stories, our Chair’s research will be guided by the rule of three and follow a trio of key principles – namely, that storytelling:
- Is a fundamental human activity common to all cultures
- Has evolved to help us share ideas, build identities and forge relationships while making sense of the world around us – navigating complexity and uncertainty
- Is a common language, fostering intercultural and intergenerational conversation so that everyone – particularly underheard voices – has equitable access to public discourse
Our work will encompass three core strands:
- Transdisciplinary research
- Training and education
- Advocacy
We will work across three geographical areas, pursuing three thematic priorities in each:
- Africa (Kenya, South Africa and Ghana)
Sustainable living – including safe and resilient places to live and work, climate change and public health - Arctic Nations
Climate change resilience, adaptation and sustainability education - India
Mental health, indigenous knowledge and education equality