Partially supported by a NULab Community Collaboration Grant.
The Human-Environment Digital Narratives initiative strives to integrate digital proficiencies into environmental education and education for sustainable development through collaboration with community members. The initiative aims to host training workshops that empower participants with the skills to create and share digital narratives on human-environment relationships. A key outcome of the initiative is the development of a database of digital narratives contributed by workshop participants and volunteers. This resource will benefit researchers, educators, and the public by providing access to a rich collection of data-driven stories that illuminate various sustainability challenges and successes.
The project employs a transdisciplinary approach, utilizing digital technologies to highlight the intricate dynamics of society, ecology, economy, and governance, particularly in low and middle-income countries. While the digital revolution presents significant opportunities for these regions, there remains a gap in knowledge and skills regarding innovative digital tools and methods. This initiative aims to bridge this gap through a series of workshops. Participants and volunteers will receive training on observing, recording, analyzing, and narrating interactions between humans and their environment. They will also learn to analyze changes, both positive and negative, and create compelling digital stories that can be shared online. This training will support participants in their careers and also help them contribute to environmental research and advocacy while building a citizen science and crowdsourcing network.
Thanks to the generous support of NULab through its Community Collaboration Grant, the initiative is being piloted in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and its CEE Academy, a renowned non-profits with expertise in environmental education and sustainable development in India. The pilot aims to showcase the potential of web-based tools like ‘StoryMap’ and ‘Timeline’ for seamlessly integrating spatial and temporal data with compelling narratives. The pilot includes the development and dissemination of digital storytelling modules through an intensive two-day training workshop, during which participants will bring their ideas and projects to life. The first workshop is scheduled for June 2024 and will welcome college students, educators, and professionals from civil society.
Principal Investigator
- Vaishali Kushwaha, PhD Candidate, Public Policy, CSSH
Community Partnership Lead
- Madhavi Joshi, Director, CEE Academy
- Gayatri Dave, Program Coordinator, School and Youth Programs, CEE
