Slow Storytelling and hybridity: Re-staging community storytelling as a tool for co-thinking

Since the early 2000s social media has transformed internet into a site for exchange of stories through mass democratization publishing. And yet, new forms digital and online storytelling have at same time compromised one core functions storytelling, namely its aspect, ability to build community when two or more people share in space, time, breathing air. Somewhat ironically advent may broadened audience any person’s whilst diminishing intimacy experience. As part research work as means engaging public debate around environment, Storytelling Academy Loughborough University been developing processes promote wider engagement dissemination environmentally driven personal stories. ‘The Reasons’, first staged Cambridgeshire 2016, was an attempt create live, event that provided forum way debating issues drought water governance Fens. Inspired by re-staging La Rasgioni Sardinia 2015, traditional form conflict resolution, whereby ‘mock’ court provides publicly tell each other, Reasons’ co-designed Fenland context performed twice 2016. It then further adapted use Korogocho slum Nairobi discuss issue waste management with members local community, initiative UN Live. is bring together advantages reflective process live event. The result hybrid seeks establish co-thinking resilience environmental change. This article reflects critically upon development evolution this over past five years.