Storytelling and Co-Design Approaches to Climate Communication

Description

Drawing on insights from a recent interdisciplinary workshop I ran in collaboration with Dr Sarah Bezan and funded by the Future Humanities Research Institute, this work-in-progress talk will discuss how storytelling and narrative 'transportation' can help us effectively communicate our need for climate action in a way that feels present, immediate and personal. Stemming from Audre Lorde's philosophy of language in her essay, poetry is not a luxury, I will discuss the value of creative writing in helping us put 'a name to the nameless' when facing complex climate issues, thus giving space for thought, and in turn, action.
The talk will explore one of the major challenges in climate communication: overcoming the sense that climate change feels psychologically distant. Scientific reports and expository messaging often fail to engage audiences on a deeper level. Storytelling, however, can make the invisible visible, immersing people in narratives that foster empathy and a sense of urgency. By showing rather than telling, stories help us process complex information in ways that resonate emotionally and intellectually.
Finally, I will discuss the value of co-design—bringing together diverse perspectives to facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. I will share the outcomes of this approach from our climate storytelling workshop, and the value of epideictical or speech and art-driven methodologies to encourage new ways of thinking and communicating about climate action. Rather than focusing solely on solutions, we’ll consider how the act of storytelling itself can spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and ultimately drive change.

Period	5 Jun 2025
Event title	Eco Humanities Research Group: Public Lecture
Event type	Webinar
Degree of Recognition	National