For more information on Digital Research Storytelling, please visit our Digital Research Storytelling Workshop page

The Critical Digital Humanities Initiative (CDHI), a tri-campus research initiative funded by the University of Toronto’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) program, in partnership with the VP Office of Research & Innovation and the strategic initiative UTSC Engage (UTSC), is pleased to announce a six-week, in-person digital research storytelling workshop from Nov 1-Dec 6 2024, held at the Centre for Research & Innovation Support, Collaboration Space (Gerstein Library, St. George). 

Digital storytelling is a growing approach to research creation and dissemination that emerged from feminist and disability culture as well as anti-colonial, anti-racist, and Indigenous thought.    

Traditionally, digital stories are 2-to-5-minute creative micro documentaries highlighting how inequities and resistances are embedded in people’s lives. The affective dimension of digital stories lends to their impactful use as knowledge translation tools across disciplines and sectors.    

CDHI is building on the narrative, technical, creative, and political tools of traditional digital storytelling methods to offer a digital storytelling workshop tailored to researchers interested in sharing their research findings in an engaging and creative short video form. A collaboration between the CDHI and Office of the Vice Principal Research and Innovation at UTSC, we see digital research storytelling as an important and impactful method of engaged scholarship and knowledge mobilization.  

By the end of the workshop, participants will have completed a digital story about their research. No experience is necessary or needed to participate in this workshop. We will provide all the tools and hands-on support needed. We welcome researchers at all stages in the research process. 

This workshop will provide:

• Knowledge and experience in the cutting-edge and experimental method of digital research storytelling 

• Hands-on and open studio environment to develop the narrative and technical skills to create a 2–5-minute digital research story   

• Trained facilitators to support you through the process from conception to completion   

• Peer-to-peer learning with a select group of tri-campus U of T researchers enrolled in this workshop   

• Weekly Office Hours

Preparation and Equipment:  

• Each participant will come prepared to the workshop with a clear idea of the research topic they wish to turn into a story.    

• Each participant will need to bring their laptop computer, headphones, and will be asked to download no-cost editing software in advance of the workshop.   

Workshop Schedule  

• Fri Nov 1, 1:00-5:00pm: Intro to Digital Storytelling + Story Development + Script Writing 

• Fri Nov 8, 1:00-4:00pm: Script Feedback/Editing + Voice Over Performance Techniques 

• Fri Nov 15, 1:00-4:00pm: Storyboarding + Media Gathering + Audio Recording 

• Fri Nov 22, 1:00-4:00pm: Intro to Video Editing + Visual/Sonic Narrative Fundamentals + Open Studio 

• Fri Nov 29, 1:00-4:00pm: Film Assembly + Advanced Editing Techniques + Open Studio 

• Fri Dec 6, 1:00-4:00pm: Story Screening💥 + Dissemination Discussion 

Please note: Each participant or faculty-research assistant team will commit to doing 2-3 hours of work between sessions  

Eligibility  

Any full time U of T faculty, student, staff, postdoctoral fellow, or librarian may apply.   

We strongly encourage Faculty-led research teams with research assistants to apply.  

Fees  

This workshop is free for all participants. However, given workshop demand and costs, we are creating a cost-recovery model for late cancelations, no-shows or uneven attendance. As part of the application process, applicants will be asked for fund numbers and/or credit card information.

$600 will be charged for cancellations after 18 October 2024 (two weeks before the workshop start date), for no-shows, or for those who miss one session or more (excepting emergencies or illness). We realize this is unusual, but since space is limited we want to make sure that folks are truly committed to attending and have been successful in clearing their calendar for this event.  

Application Process   

Faculty, faculty-led research teams, students, postdoctoral fellows, and librarians are invited to submit their applications via our Google Form by 4 October 2024 at 4:00 pm EST.   

The form will request the following information:  

• Applicant Details: Your name, utoronto email address, department, division, and position title (for solo applicants and for any additional team members who may attend with you)

• Project Titles: The title of your research project AND the ‘working title’ of your proposed research story 

• Story Idea (450 words max): Provide an overview of your 2-4 minute story idea. While we don’t expect you to have a fully framed digital story, we need insight into which aspect of your research you want to highlight and why. Include a brief paragraph describing your proposed story and another on how it connects to your overall research project. Be sure to outline your current stage in the research process, including progress in data collection, analysis, and results.  

• Intended Audience (150 words max): Identify the audience(s) you hope to reach with your digital story.   

• Social Justice Focus (150 words max): Briefly explain how your research story emphasizes questions of power and social justice.  

• Experience with Videomaking or Creative Writing (100 words max): Describe your familiarity with videomaking software or creative writing (no prior experience is necessary).  

• Accessibility Needs (if applicable): Describe any physical, sensory, or learning-related supports you will need to fully participate in the workshop. 

Evaluation 

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:   

• Clarity of proposed research story 

• Relationship to the overall research project 

• Clarity of intended audiences 

• Engagement with questions of power and social justice  

Adjudication   

Members of the CDHI Exec Team will adjudicate applications. Results will be communicated by 9 October 2024.   

How to Reach Us   

For questions about the Digital Research Storytelling Workshop, please write to CDHI’s Managing Director, Danielle Taschereau Mamers: d.taschereau@utoronto.ca.