Researchers will use storytelling to help reduce air pollution in India

Researchers at Keele University will use media analysis, interviews and participatory story-telling workshops to contribute to efforts to reduce air pollution in New Dehli, one of the most polluted and populous cities in the world. 

India is home to 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities in the world. 

In a bid to help reduce this air pollution, the researchers will undertake three key strands of activities, including examining news coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic and its environmental implications, interviewing environmental organisations to understand their current aims and storytelling approaches, and developing effective environmental stories through workshops with teams of documentary filmmakers and representatives from civil society organisations. 

The project will produce three ten-minute long films which will be used to increase public understanding and support for reducing air pollution, as well as a story-telling toolkit which will help civil society organisations, govenrmental agencies and the media to enhance public engagement with the issue of air pollution. 

Dr Bisht, lecturer in Media, Culture and Creative Practice at Keele University, said: ‘Combating air pollution is an absolutely vital and urgent challenge in New Delhi. We are looking forward to working with local stakeholders to mobilise the power of creative storytelling in combating this problem.’

Photo Credit – Pixabay