FINDING NARRATIVES
AT THE NEXUSTELLING STORIES ABOUT OUR WORK CAN HELP US DO IT BETTER
PERSPECTIVES - #NCSECONF
TOM SEAGER ARIZONA STATE
@SEAGETTP
BETH KARLIN UNIVERSITY OF
SOUTH CALIFORNIA
LIZ NEELEY STORY COLLIDER
@LIZNEELEY
LARA FOWLER PENN STATE
@FOWLER_LARA
WHY TELL STORIES?
Academics
MOTIVATION
Fischoff (1994) Risk Analysis. Photo © Carnegie Mellon
Fischoff (1994) Risk Analysis. Photo © Carnegie Mellon
credibility competence + goodwill + trustworthiness
Photo © Princeton University Fiske & Dupree (2014) PNAS
L) Lacey et al. (2012) Metaphorically feeling: comprehending textural metaphors activates somatosensory cortex. Brain and Language;120(3):416-21
R) Citron & Goldberg (2014) Metaphorical sentences are more emotionally engaging than their literal counterparts. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 26, 2585-2595
TEXT
1) Stephens et al. (2010) Speaker–listener neural coupling underlies successful communication. PNAS 107(32):14425-14430
2) Hasson et al. (2012) Brain-to-brain coupling: a mechanism for creating and sharing a social world. Trends in Cognitive Science. 16(2):114-121
TEXT
1) Stephens et al. (2010) Speaker–listener neural coupling underlies successful communication. PNAS 107(32):14425-14430
2) Hasson et al. (2012) Brain-to-brain coupling: a mechanism for creating and sharing a social world. Trends in Cognitive Science. 16(2):114-121
STORIES ARE:‣more interesting
‣more understandable
‣more believable
‣more persuasiveDahlstrom & Ho (2012). Ethical considerations of using narrative to communicate science. Science Communication, 592–617.
David Moinina Sengeh - Photo by Adrienne Mathiowitz © 2015
THE SET-UP CONFRONTATION RESOLUTION
Science Communication34(5) 592 –617
© 2012 SAGE PublicationsReprints and permission:
sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.navDOI: 10.1177/1075547012454597
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454597 SCX34510.1177/1075547012454597Science CommunicationDahlstrom and Ho© 2011 SAGE Publications
Reprints and permission: http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav
1Iowa State University, Ames, USA2Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Corresponding Author:Michael F. Dahlstrom, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University, 215 Hamilton Hall, Ames, IA 50010, USA Email: [email protected]
Ethical Considerations of Using Narrative to Communicate Science
Michael F. Dahlstrom1 and Shirley S. Ho2
AbstractThis article discusses three ethical considerations science communicators face when considering narrative as a communication technique for science policy contexts: (a) What is the underlying purpose of using narrative: com-prehension or persuasion? (b) What are the appropriate levels of accuracy to maintain? (c) Should narrative be used at all? These considerations intersect with perceptions of the appropriate roles of communication and of scien-tists within democracy. By providing a clearer articulation of these ethical considerations, the authors hope that narrative can become a more useful communication technique toward informed science policy decisions.
Keywordsscience, communication, narrative, policy, ethics
There is a growing sense that scientific information is not contributing what it should to controversial science policy. Social controversies surrounding topics such as climate change, evolution, and vaccinations are often claimed to exemplify either an ignorance of scientific data or its outright rejection (Baker, 2008; Forrest, 2001; Mooney, 2005; Zimmer, 2011). Science can
at UNIV WASHINGTON LIBRARIES on July 3, 2015scx.sagepub.comDownloaded from
HOW TO USE STORIES EFFECTIVELY?
everyone
ADVICE & EXAMPLES
TOM SEAGERARIZONA STATE
BETH KARLIN
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.There’s always a story.
2.Less is (usually) more.
3.Stories have structures.
But first…
But first…
But first…
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.There’s always a story.
2.Less is (usually) more.
3.Stories have structures.
There’s always a story
There’s always a story
There’s always a story
Ariely (2008)
16%
0%
84%
There’s always a story
Ariely (2008)
16%
0%
84%
There’s always a story
Ariely (2008)
16%
0%
84%
There’s always a story
68%
32%
0%
Ariely (2008)
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.There’s always a story.
2.Less is (usually) more.
You have 60 seconds…
Keep it simple
You have 60 seconds…
Keep it simple
8 seconds…
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.There’s always a story.
2.Less is (usually) more.
3.Stories have structures.
MARSHALL GANZ // THE NEW ORGANIZING INSTITUTE
Self Us Now
The Story of . . .
MARSHALL GANZ // THE NEW ORGANIZING INSTITUTE
Self Us Now
The Story of . . .
MARSHALL GANZ // THE NEW ORGANIZING INSTITUTE
Get Personal Find Common Ground
Present a Call to Action
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.There’s always a story.
2.Less is (usually) more.
3.Stories have structures.
Three Thoughts on Storytelling
1.Control the narrative.
2.Keep it simple.
3.Structure your story.
Maybe stories are just data with a
soul.
Brene Brown
ThankYou!BethKarlin,Ph.D. [email protected]
LARA FOWLERPENN STATE
Conflict & Narrative: The Stories We Tell
• LaraB.Fowler– SeniorLecturer,PennStateLaw– ResearchFellow,PennStateInstitutesofEnergyandtheEnvironment
Chehalis Basin Flood Hazard Mitigation Alternatives Report (2012): http://ruckelshauscenter.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chehalis-report-12-19-121.pdf
Chehalis Basin Flood Hazard Mitigation Alternatives Report (2012): http://ruckelshauscenter.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chehalis-report-12-19-121.pdf
Chehalis Flood, 2007 Chehalis Chronicle
Chehalis River Flooding- Dec. 2007
Bruce Ely, The Oregonian
Carpenter&Kennedy,UnderstandingPublicDisputes,pg.12
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/us/03flood.html?_r=0
Catastrophic impacts across the food, energy, water nexus… what to do?
A view from my world
A view from my world
Substance:Whataretheissues?
A view from my world
Substance:Whataretheissues?
People/Relationship:Whoisinvolved?
Whatisthedynamicbetweenthem?
A view from my world
Substance:Whataretheissues?
People/Relationship:Whoisinvolved?
Whatisthedynamicbetweenthem?
Process:Howdoyougetthere?
A view from my world
• Slowdown/stopexpansionoftheconflict
• Establishcommunication
– Partiesworkfacetofacetoworkoutdifferences
• Defineissues
– Focusonsolvingtheproblem
• Addexpertisewhereneeded
– Scientific
– Legal
• Facilitateeffectivemeetings
– Decisionmakerisfacilitator
– Partiesworktogethertoshapetheprocess
• Decisionsmadebyconsensus(…)
Framework for Managing Public Conflicts
Carpenter&Kennedy,UnderstandingPublicDisputes,pg.12
Roles: Mediator or Facilitator
• Mediator-3rdpartyneutralprotectedbymediationprivilege
Roles: Mediator or Facilitator
• Mediator-3rdpartyneutralprotectedbymediationprivilege
– Mediation:“aprocessinwhichamediatorfacilitatescommunicationand
negotiationbetweenpartiestoassisttheminreachingavoluntary
agreementregardingtheirdispute”(UniformMediationAct)
Roles: Mediator or Facilitator
• Mediator-3rdpartyneutralprotectedbymediationprivilege
– Mediation:“aprocessinwhichamediatorfacilitatescommunicationand
negotiationbetweenpartiestoassisttheminreachingavoluntary
agreementregardingtheirdispute”(UniformMediationAct)
– Mediationprivilege(i.e.,42Pa.C.S.§5949)• Statutoryprotectionagainstbeingforcedtotestifyincourtexceptforcertain
circumstances(threatofviolence,etc.)
• Alsolimitswhatmediatorscansay
Roles: Mediator or Facilitator
• Mediator-3rdpartyneutralprotectedbymediationprivilege
– Mediation:“aprocessinwhichamediatorfacilitatescommunicationand
negotiationbetweenpartiestoassisttheminreachingavoluntary
agreementregardingtheirdispute”(UniformMediationAct)
– Mediationprivilege(i.e.,42Pa.C.S.§5949)• Statutoryprotectionagainstbeingforcedtotestifyincourtexceptforcertain
circumstances(threatofviolence,etc.)
• Alsolimitswhatmediatorscansay
• Facilitation-3rdpartyneutraltohelpfacilitatediscussions
Role of a neutral 3rd party (or you!)• Identifyingparties
• Helpingidentifyissuessubjecttonegotiate
• Improvingcommunication
• Translating/reframinginformationamongtheparties
• Exploringinterests
• Helpinggenerateoptionsforeachissue
• Realitytesting
• Buildingtrust
• Legitimizingagreements
• Ensuringimplementation
From Sean F. Nolon, Second Best Practices?: Addressing Mediation’s Definitional Problems in Environmental Siting Disputes 49 IDAHO L. REV. 69 (2012)
Returning to our story…
April 21, 2011
Returning to our story…
April 21, 2011
Returning to our story…
April 21, 2011
Returning to our story…
April 21, 2011
Lesson Learned… Community building matters, and matters a lot
Lesson Learned… Community building matters, and matters a lot
Because there is no magic fairy wand, what do I do?
Think about effective meetings
Think about effective meetings
Prepare, and prepare an agenda
Think about effective meetings
Prepare, and prepare an agenda
Think about room space
Think about effective meetings
Prepare, and prepare an agenda
Think about room space
Figure out how to work with everyone in the room
Pay attention to what you see, and what you don’t…
Selfridge and Sokolik, 1975 and W.L. French and C.H. Bell in 1979, from http://zestnzen.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/how-to-understand-cross-cultural-communication/
Pay attention to what you see, and what you don’t…
Don’t get mad. Get curious.
Don’t get mad. Get curious.
“Fearisthepathtothedarkside.Fearleadstoanger.Angerleads
tohate.Hateleadstosuffering.”
Don’t get mad. Get curious.
“Fearisthepathtothedarkside.Fearleadstoanger.Angerleads
tohate.Hateleadstosuffering.”
- Yoda,StarWarsEpisodeV:TheEmpireStrikesBack
Don’t get mad. Get curious.
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
• IthoughtIheardyousay…DidIunderstandcorrectly?
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
• IthoughtIheardyousay…DidIunderstandcorrectly?
• Youjustsaid….;whatdoyoumeanbythis?
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
• IthoughtIheardyousay…DidIunderstandcorrectly?
• Youjustsaid….;whatdoyoumeanbythis?
• Canyoutellmore?
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
• IthoughtIheardyousay…DidIunderstandcorrectly?
• Youjustsaid….;whatdoyoumeanbythis?
• Canyoutellmore?
• Icanimaginewhatthatmightmeantome,butcanyoutellme
whatthismeanstoyou?
Ask questions, and then really listen!
• CanImakesureI’munderstandingwhatwediscussed?
– [Thenprovideasummary]
• IthoughtIheardyousay…DidIunderstandcorrectly?
• Youjustsaid….;whatdoyoumeanbythis?
• Canyoutellmore?
• Icanimaginewhatthatmightmeantome,butcanyoutellme
whatthismeanstoyou?
• [sayingnothing]-silenceisapowerfultool
Ask questions, and then really listen!
ResourcesAFewEnvironmentalMediationRelated:
• Carpenter&Kennedy,ManagingPublicDisputes
• Levy,Susskindetal,NegotiatingEnvironmentalAgreements:HowtoAvoidEscalatingConfrontation,
NeedlessCosts,andUnnecessaryLitigation...
InterestBasedNegotiation/Discussions
• Fisher&Ury,GettingtoYes
• Fisher&Ury,GettingPastNo
• Pattonetal,DifficultConversations:HowtoGettotheHeartofWhatMattersMost
Websites
• EPAConflictResolutionandPreventionCenter:http://www.epa.gov/adr
• USInstituteforEnvironmentalConflictResolution:https://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/Institute/
Institute.aspx
• ConsensusBuildingInstitute:http://www.cbuilding.org/
• HarvardProgramonNegotiation:http://www.pon.harvard.edu/
START WHERE YOU ARE USE WHAT YOU HAVE DO WHAT YOU CAN
Arthur Ashe
FINAL THOUGHTS