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Scripps College of Communication
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1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979
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The Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact
We imagine a world where storytelling creates just and joyful communities.

Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact

Mission

At the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact, we weave together meaningful stories with those who live them. We foster collaborative storytelling and advance narrative scholarship to catalyze collective action.

Co-Director Dr. Lynn Harter and Chief Video Producer Megan Westervelt meet with Community Fellow Patty Mitchell and OHIO students Francis Ametepey and Ella Spremulli as they collaboratively storyboard for the Experiential Learning Library that the Storytelling Institute is creating in partnership with Passion Works Studio.
Co-Director Dr. Lynn Harter and Chief Video Producer Megan Westervelt meet with Community Fellow Patty Mitchell and OHIO students Francis Ametepey and Ella Spremulli as they collaboratively storyboard for the Experiential Learning Library that the Storytelling Institute is creating in partnership with Passion Works Studio.
Benefactor Barbara Geralds (left) joins Bernadette Henry, Hannah Back, Kelsey Williams, and Dr. Lynn Harter on set during a filming session at the University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.

About The Institute

The Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact at Ohio University was founded with the support of Barbara Geralds and inspired by the work of Dr. Lynn M. Harter. Established to merge storytelling with academic research for social change, the institute has excelled in documentary filmmaking and podcasting, producing impactful works like the Emmy award-winning series "The Courage of Creativity." Over 500 undergraduate, graduate, and medical students have gained practical experience through these projects, which also involve collaboration with community organizations to raise awareness and funds for causes such as childhood cancer. The institute remains dedicated to fostering understanding and driving social change through innovative storytelling and community engagement.

About The Institute

 

Reaching and Empowering More Students

“I am a graduate student at the Storytelling Institute. Through their support, I've spearheaded impactful initiatives like the ‘Kindness Is Food’ campaign and ‘Operation Hummingbird,’ alongside a podcast series amplifying student voices. These projects have enriched my academic journey and molded me into a staunch advocate for international students, ensuring our stories and challenges are acknowledged and acted upon. I'm contributing to support the Institute's mission of reaching and empowering more students and communities.”

— Francis Ametepey,

Graduate Assistant

Storytelling Institute

A portrait of the Barbara Geralds Institute Graduate Assistant, Francis Ametepey

Our Narrative Work

The Storytelling Institute produces stories alongside campus and community partners that invite viewers, readers, and listeners to shift perspective and imagine new normals. We work to foster inclusive and vibrant communities and are committed to social justice. The settings of our stories are eclectic, ranging from oncology wards to social support groups and food banks. Our narrative scholarship aims to improve communication and well-being for individuals, groups, and communities. We use emergent technologies to tell stories in innovative ways that enrich human development and advance collective memory. 

Our Narrative Work

Leadership and Partners

The Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact boasts a distinguished leadership team, including Co-Directors Dr. Lynn M. Harter and Tom Hodson (Emeritus), Associate Director Dr. Joe Bianco, Chief Video Producer Megan Westervelt, and Community Fellow Patty Mitchell. Their combined expertise in communication, media, narrative medicine, and community engagement drives our mission. We thrive on strong partnerships with non-profits, granting agencies, and private industry to amplify our storytelling initiatives. Our advisory council, composed of diverse faculty and staff, guides our mission, organizes forums, and recruits speakers. Together, we advance narrative scholarship and foster meaningful community engagement.

Our Partners

The leadership team at the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact brings together changemakers from Ohio University and the Athens community to craft stories that shift narratives, amplify a diversity of voices, and create a more just and joyful world. From left: Co-Director Dr. Lynn Harter, Chief Video Producer Megan Westervelt, Co-Director Emeritus Tom Hodson, Community Fellow Patty Mitchell, & Associate Director Joe Bianco.
The leadership team at the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact brings together changemakers from Ohio University and the Athens community. From left: Co-Director Dr. Lynn Harter, Chief Video Producer Megan Westervelt, Co-Director Emeritus Tom Hodson, Community Fellow Patty Mitchell, & Associate Director Joe Bianco.

 

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Contact Us

For information about the Storytelling Institute and how to support it, please contact Lynn Harter at harter@ohio.edu or Amanda DeWees at deweesa@ohio.edu.

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