Story Thinking is a unique methodology developed by Dr. Helen Marshall, Prof. Kim Wilkins and Dr. Lisa Bennett which adaptes skills from science fiction and fantasy creative writing to dislodge researchers from tightly held disciplinary perspectives so they can collaborate on the complex problems of the twenty-first century. It encompasses four domains:
Inhabit: Storyworlds and the Rules of the Game
Science fiction and fantasy writers have perfected ‘world-building’, a practice that brings speculative elements and real-world research together. Creating and inhabiting a storyworld is a valuable tool to situate a problem in its context and explore the possibilities for changes in a 360-degree imaginative space.
Envision: Epic Wins and Nasty Surprises
Stories move through chains of cause and effect, which are usually called plots. We use cause and effect to extrapolate from different divergence points and speculate on multiple outcomes. Working in the space of possibility, we generate new ideas and scenarios and prepare for the unexpected.
Empathise: Imagining Extraordinary Inner Lives
Being able to imagine the experience of others is key to telling stories and co-designing solutions. We have many tools for perspective taking, developing empathy and imagining ‘unusual suspects’: people with wildly different backgrounds, histories, and experiences who are often overlooked.
Engage: The Magic Words that Bind People and Build Knowledge
Stories engage audiences and create affinity spaces of pleasure. We use language, metaphor, and humour to transcend disciplines and create cohorts with a shared sense of the problem and a shared commitment to solving it.
We are available to consult on or co-design ‘Story Thinking’ projects including creative workshops, collaborative storytelling, scenario generation and game play.
