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AKO Storytelling Institute

City photos on rolling paper
City photos on rolling paper
City photos on rolling paper, Hai Hui Xiong, MA Book Arts, Camberwell College of Arts

Where creative practice meets social transformation.

About us

We work at the intersection of storytelling and social change. As a part of UAL's new Social Purpose Group, our mission is to enable storytellers and campaigners to make a greater social impact through their work. Through interdisciplinary experimentation and collaboration, we develop evidence-based approaches to the theory and practice of storytelling-for-change.

  • Image of blurred out president speaking
    Image of blurred out president speaking
  • Fellows at an event at CSM
    Storytelling Fellowship Intensive, Day 5, 2023, UAL | Photograph: Eugénie Flochel
  • Image of Sue Tibballs at Docfest 2023
    Image of Sue Tibballs at Docfest 2023
  • Image of Fran Panetta in a workshop
    Image of Fran Panetta in a workshop

The AKO Storytelling Institute has been established with the generous support of the AKO Foundation, as part of UAL Social Purpose Group.

Stories

  • Escaping the Black Museum |MA Visual Effects | London College of Communication 2023 |Daniel Loutfi

    On Their Terms

    Using narrative games, our new Storytelling institute project aims to explore how to combat disinformation among disengaged groups.

  • Josephine Ekiru | Image: Ami Vitale / Alamy Stock Photo

    Stories as a tool for reconciliation

    Insights from a conversation with award-winning Kenyan peacebuilder Josephine Ekiru

  • Museum of Truth and Lies Podcast poster | Yasmin Khan | 2024

    Museum of Truth and Lies

    Curbing misinformation in museums through storytelling. Storytelling Institute Fellow (23/4), Yasmin Khan shares her experience making the Museum of Truth & Lies.

  • Mr Bates vs The Post Office (ITV)

    Mr Bates vs The Post Office: Why it takes an ecosystem of storytellers to unlock big change

    Francesca Panetta, Director of the AKO Storytelling Institute argues that when campaigners and storytellers work together, we can have a transformative and meaningful impact.