Boston University Launches Center on Media Innovation for Social Impact to Combat Misinformation and Promote Trustworthy Storytelling
In an era marked by declining trust in media and a proliferation of misinformation, Boston University’s College of Communication (COM) has established the Center on Media Innovation for Social Impact (MISI). MISI aims to develop and study effective communication strategies, particularly in conveying evidence-based science, to address critical societal challenges like climate change and gun violence. The center recognizes the vital role of communication in driving progress and seeks to counter the erosion of trust that hinders effective action on pressing issues. MISI will leverage the diverse expertise within COM, encompassing advertising, emerging media studies, film and television, journalism, media science, and public relations, to foster innovative approaches to storytelling.
MISI’s approach is rooted in community engagement and collaborative storytelling. Rather than simply reporting on affected communities, the center prioritizes working with these communities to develop narratives that authentically reflect their experiences. This participatory approach, pioneered by MISI director Eric Gordon through initiatives like Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence and Transforming Narratives for Environmental Justice (TNEJ), emphasizes co-creation and empowerment. By bringing together community members, communication experts, and practitioners from fields like medicine, MISI fosters the development of impactful and sustainable communication projects.
The Center’s initial focus will be on environmental justice and community violence prevention, reflecting the urgent need for effective communication in these areas. The first TNEJ projects at BU are slated for summer 2025, involving teams of students, faculty, community fellows, and project managers. These teams will create and disseminate communication products and rigorously analyze their effectiveness. The goal is to generate evidence demonstrating the power of authentic stories to amplify marginalized voices and build trust, especially among skeptical audiences. Previous TNEJ projects have included short films on food justice and urban parks, children’s books, and zines. MISI aims to expand on these formats, exploring the potential of virtual reality, data science, artificial intelligence, and other technologies to enhance storytelling impact.
MISI’s director, Eric Gordon, emphasizes the center’s commitment to exploring innovative technologies and storytelling approaches that support democratic movements and institutions. He believes that effective communication is crucial for building a more just and equitable society, especially in a climate of declining trust in democratic institutions. David Abel, a COM professor and assistant director of MISI, underscores the importance of shedding light on societal inequities and environmental degradation, particularly their impact on vulnerable populations, and hopes that the center’s work will inspire meaningful change.
The Center’s work is supported by a significant grant from the Mellon Foundation, which will fund faculty fellows from COM and the BU Center for the Humanities, as well as community fellows. This interdisciplinary collaboration will enrich the TNEJ initiative with diverse perspectives and enhance understanding of the complex challenges of environmental justice and equity. MISI also benefits from funding from COM and the Feld Family Initiative for Civic Science Communication. The center plans to offer research grants to teams of BU faculty working with community partners, further fostering collaboration and innovation.
MISI represents a significant investment in the power of communication to address complex societal problems. By focusing on community-engaged storytelling, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and embracing technological innovation, the center seeks to build trust, amplify marginalized voices, and ultimately contribute to a more just and sustainable future. As the center evolves, it plans to adapt to emerging community needs and expand its focus to other critical areas, leveraging the expertise and resources of Boston University to create meaningful social impact through effective communication. MISI aims to not only tell stories but to understand their critical relevance and demonstrate the transformative potential of authentic communication in addressing pressing social issues.