About Us

Thoughts and experiments

in ethical storytelling

The Challenge

Stories shape how humans connect, empathize, and make meaning.

Yet the most powerful insights about storytelling are scattered across philosophy, communication, neuroscience, anthropology, policy, and beyond. These insights rarely brought together (i.e. too often left in silos), and even more rarely are they shared in integrated, practical and accessible ways.

Social Resonance Lab exists to bridge those worlds, asking how storytelling can be done ethically, and translating theory and practice into resources anyone can use to foster deeper human connection.

Focus Areas

Our Research Agenda

How can ethical storytelling foster deeper human connection and social cohesion in an era of fragmentation and distrust?
Foundations & Definitions
  • What does it mean for storytelling to be ethical?⁠⁠
  • How do different disciplines (philosophy, communication, anthropology, design) define and approach ethical storytelling?⁠⁠
  • What responsibilities do storytellers have to subjects, audiences, and communities?
Mechanisms of Connection
  • Why do stories have such power to shape empathy and belonging?⁠⁠
  • How do narrative structures (myth, metaphor, testimony, performance) influence connection?
  • What distinguishes stories that divide from stories that connect?
Context & Power⁠
  • How do power dynamics shape who gets to tell stories, and how those stories are received?
  • What ethical tensions arise when stories are told across differences (cultural, linguistic, lived experience, etc.)?
  • How does the digital landscape (social media, AI-generated content, virality) complicate or enable ethical storytelling?
Practice & Experimentation
  • What practical methods can organizations and creators use to embed ethics into their storytelling?
  • What can we learn from communities, artists, or movements already experimenting with ethical narrative forms?⁠
  • How do experiments in storytelling impact trust, empathy, and connection in measurable or felt ways?
 Future Directions
  • How might ethical storytelling practices evolve as technologies (AI, immersive media, etc.) reshape the narrative landscape?⁠
  • Can ethical storytelling significantly help to address large-scale global challenges?
  • What frameworks or principles could guide storytellers toward connection in a fractured world?

Guiding Values

Six core values guide our journey:

Integrity shapes our actions, ensuring we move with honesty, accountability, and mindful awareness in all we do. Our research, storytelling, and interactions respect the dignity and autonomy of every individual.

Collaboration defines our relationships with organizations, communities, and individuals. We recognize that true social resonance emerges from collective effort and interconnectedness.

Transparency guides how we share our processes, insights, and reflections. By candidly documenting both successes and challenges, we invite collaboration and collective wisdom.

Adaptability allows us to thrive in fluidity, adjusting our approaches as new insights emerge. We embrace intentional experimentation and mindful flexibility, continuously learning alongside our communities.

Empathy lies at the heart of both our mission and our methodology. We nurture spaces that encourage deep listening and authentic connection, recognizing empathy as foundational to genuine social cohesion.

Curiosity serves as our compass, leading us to ask thoughtful questions rather than rush toward simple answers. Our explorations are mindful, patient, and attentive. They are grounded in presence and openness to each moment.

Building Connections

The Journey Ahead

Our inaugural season of inquiry, focused on how art and storytelling can foster empathy at scale, represents just the beginning of our journey. As we build relationships with community partners, document innovative practices, and share our reflections, we invite you to join us in this exploration.
Get in touch