Digital Public Health Storytelling
Anita Verna Crofts
May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Presentation Goals
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Introduce storytelling as a leadership skill
Define “digital storytelling”
Outline our tools
Discuss the power of photographs
Review examples of public health
storytelling
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Why do we tell stories?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
“Stories are about survival.”
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What makes a good story?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What makes a good story?
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Moves people emotionally
Substance
Conflict and Resolution
Vivid Images
Perfect for the audience
The story is loved by the storyteller
- From Chris Keys, Editor of Storytelling Power
www.creativekeys.net
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Why is storytelling an important
leadership tool for leaders in the
field of public health?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Stories and Leadership
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Stories inspire/motivate
Stories persuade
Stories are memorable
Stories create a connection to a cause
Stories link the past and focus on the
future
• Stories appeal to the different “modes” of
listening and learning
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Storytelling seems to imply a one-way
relationship -- "I tell the story and you are
to listen." An adept use of narrative and
storytelling takes place with in a two-way,
interactive relationship. Successful leaders
are not just good at storytelling -- they
generally display strong narrative
intelligence.
- Stephen Denning, The Secret Language of Leadership
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What is Narrative Intelligence?
• The capacity to understand the world in
“narrative terms”
• Familiarity with successful narrative
components—what makes a strong story
• Ability to choose the right narrative at the
right time
• Understanding the audience: their own
stories and their reaction to your narrative
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
The ability to think narratively—that is,
narrative intelligence—reflects a
recognition that the narrative aspects of
the world matter because human goals
matter, and narratives encapsulate human
goals.
- Stephen Denning, The Secret Language of Leadership
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Building a two-way story
• Identify the goal of the story
• Know your audience
• Use language that is best suited to your
goal
• Frame the story to the goal
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Why do we frame stories?
• The frame impacts how the audience
understands the story
• Listeners focus first on what is in the
frame, but not what’s outside of it
• Listeners interpret your story through their
own frames.
People’s minds rely on frames, not facts.
- Michael Shadow
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
How to frame a story
1. Pick a value as your frame (“This story is
about…”)
For example:
• Do not say, “This is a story about my
teacher.”
• Instead, say, “This is a story about
courage/love/compassion.”
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What is a digital story?
• A story that uses digital media to enhance
its effectiveness
• A story that can be shared through many
mediums: on a screen (computer, theater)
• A story that combines audio and visual
components
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Digital Storytelling Tools
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Digital cameras
Audio recorders
Slideshow software
Video software
Websites
Blogs
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Digital Cameras
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Portable
Relatively easy to use
High resolution
Flexible
Many can use with simple training
Capable of moving images with sound
Contribute images to your story
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Audio Recorders
• Portable
• Can record voice to give your digital story
its “voice”
• Can be used by many with simple
instruction
• Create an oral record of thoughts and
feelings
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Slideshow Software
• Relatively inexpensive
• Able to use with basic computer skills
• Allows users to collect and store digital
stories easily
• Can combine photos and audio without
expensive movie making software
• Creates a file that can be shared widely
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Websites
• Websites can “host” digital stories
• Websites can provide relevant information
to accompany the digital stories
• Websites can link visitors to information
and resources beyond just the digital story
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Blogs
• Blogs allow for day to day updating and
can be more “dynamic” than websites
• Blogs are often privately hosted
• Easy uploading digital stories, maps,
photos, audio, and other attachments
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
“A picture is worth a thousand
words.”
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photographs and Stories
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Visual images compel us to look
Visual images connect us to the subject
Visual images create context
Visual images can humanize complex
stories
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Visual images get our attention
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Color
Shapes
Light
Texture
We are curious!
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Anita Verna Crofts
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Jed Conklin
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Jed Conklin
Packard Foundation Fellows
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Photo by Lexey Swall
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Visual images link us as people
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Human connection / “That could be me.”
Recognition
Identity
Emotion
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Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Kristy Leissle
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by David Butow
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Goran Tomasevic
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Jed Conklin
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by David Guttenfelder
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by David Butwow
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by David Ahntholz
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by David Guttenfelder
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Visuals create context
If you do not create
the context for your story,
the reader/viewer/listener
will create it for you.
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Visuals create context
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Context is part of the frame you create
Context sets the tone
Context sets the mood
Context places it culturally
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photos by Vincent Winter
Packard Foundation Fellows
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Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What values framed
that story?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Values
• Renewal
• Triumph
• Integration
• Hope
• Others?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photos by Paul Zoeller
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What values framed
that story?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Values
• Perseverance
• Acceptance
• Love
• Others?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photos by Romain Blanquart
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What values framed
that story?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Values
• Hope
• Love
• Courage
• Loss
• Others?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Participatory Photography
“Participatory photography places the
medium of the camera into the hands of
learners to democratize the image-making
dynamic and give them the power to show
and speak their own realities.”
- Darlene E. Clover
From Out of the Darkroom: Participatory Photography as a Critical,
Imaginative, and Public Aesthetic Practice of Transformative Education
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Participatory photography means
that there is community
involvement and ownership in the
documentation process
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Camera Tips
• Think about the frame of the photo
• Consider the angle (up high, below, to the
side, from behind)
• Get in as close as is culturally appropriate
• Take many photos even of the same
person or event—film is not an issue
• Use light and color
• Be brave. Take risks.
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Audio Tips
• Speak less, listen more
• Ask open ended questions
• Let there be silences, do not feel you need
to fill them
• Ensure the comfort of the interviewee
• Make eye contact as they speak—
encourage their story
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Framing Photos
• What do you leave in the frame?
• What remains outside?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Tamas Dezso
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Tamas Dezso
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Josh Meltzer
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Photo by Kyle Green
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Frame Exercise
If you had to take a self-portrait of
yourself or your family, but without
any people in the frame, what would
you photograph?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
What story does this picture tell?
Photo by Josh Meltzer
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
The photo tells a story of…
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Integration
Isolation
Youth
Language
Friendship
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Digital stories and public health
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Highlight your work
Share best practices
Draw attention to an issue
Offer solutions
Appeal to the wider community
Advocate for change
Document
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Current Examples
• EngenderHealth India has created two 6 minute videos
on violence against women
• African Medical and Research Foundation (AMFREF)
has created an 8 minute video on malaria education
activities in Ethiopia
• Bridges to Understanding has produced digital stories in
South Africa, India, and Guatemala
• International Federation of Medical Students'
Associations (IFMSA) The Netherlands has a 2 minute
video on nutrition from a workshop in Mundri, Southern
Sudan
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Who is the audience for digital
public health stories?
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Your community
Your funders
Your government/legislators
Your colleagues in Ethiopia
Your colleagues in other countries
Others?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Digital Storytelling Assignment
• Identify a “human goal” of public health
that matters in your community
• Frame that story
• Photograph that story
• Record audio of that story
• Invite colleagues to participate
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008
Questions to ask
• Who is your audience for the digital story?
• What is the frame for your story?
• What images are important to tell your
story?
• Whose voices are important to include in
this story?
• Who are other members of the community
or my workplace that you can involve?
Packard Foundation Fellows
Presentation May 9, 2008