The Center for Communicating Science (CCS) is thrilled to announce the launch of our pilot storytelling class, The Power of Story: Crafting Personal and Professional Narratives. This initiative is part of our effort to equip researchers with the strongest communication skills possible. Designed by Patricia Raun, theatre professor and director of the CCS, the course will explore the profound power of storytelling in supporting understanding and driving meaningful change. Raun will teach the course for the first time spring semester.

    The content, Raun says, is inspired by theatre practitioners Kristin Linklater, Patsy Rodenberg, and others; by the insights of Marshall Ganz of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government; by business and marketing strategist Seth Godin; and by the Center for Communicating Science’s collaborations with Story Collider and Raun’s admiration for its live storytelling events.

    The stories we tell define more than just our past; they outline what we believe is possible for our future. Sharing and receiving stories fosters appreciation for the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human experience, while also enhancing critical expressive and listening skills. This class invites participants to explore the stories of themselves and of their work, their communities, and the urgent challenges we face together.

    “Storytelling is an important skill,” Raun says. “Whether online, in print, or in person, the specific details of a story — the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions — give it its universal resonance. Like other art forms, a well-crafted and well-told true personal story can ignite a kind of spontaneous understanding of a complex issue. They say the shortest distance between two people is a story — and I believe that is absolutely true.”

    Through this pilot class, participants will learn to craft narratives that serve as catalysts for action, building on the center's long-standing focus on storytelling as a tool for connection. One resource participants will use is the book Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks, who illustrates how stories are built around choice points — the challenges we face, the decisions we make, and the lessons we learn. Raun notes that course participants also will benefit from the center’s many interactions with Story Collider, an organization renowned for empowering individuals to share personal narratives that communicate complex ideas in ways that are accessible and impactful.  

    Participants will begin by reflecting on their personal stories, focusing on the milestones and challenges that have shaped their journeys. These individual stories will serve as the seeds for crafting compelling true narratives that will be shared in a variety of formats. Participants will have the opportunity to refine and share their stories through an interactive, collaborative process, ensuring that the stories evolve in response to feedback and reflection and become powerful tools for communication. By exploring these narratives in the class, participants will discover how their stories resonate with and inspire their communities.

    “Storytelling is not just an art but a responsibility for researchers, educators, scientists, civic leaders, and business people,” says Raun. “It’s a way to articulate who we are, what we stand for, and where we hope to connect with others in meaningful ways. At the Center for Communicating Science, we believe that mastering the art of storytelling equips people to inspire action, foster connection, and drive change in their communities.”

    The class will be offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through the theatre arts department. For undergraduates, the course is TA 4984, CRN 21998, and for graduate students, the course is TA 5984, CRN 21997. It will be offered on five consecutive Wednesdays beginning January 22, 2025.

    We are excited to see how this pilot program unfolds and the impact it will have on participants and their communities. Stay tuned for updates and insights as we continue to explore the transformative power of storytelling.