Stories for Change: Interactive Storytelling for Social Impact is a one-day workshop uniting researchers, designers, and activists to prototype interactive narratives that deeply engage audiences on issues of poverty, inequality, and climate resilience.
We move beyond data and awareness: by weaving choice and consequence into story, we empower participants to shift from passive spectators into active agents of change.
Times are given in UTC+01:00 to align with European work hours. If this schedule presents conflicts, please reach out for flexible participation options.
The workshop revolves around three core themes, each designed to deepen our understanding of interactive storytelling’s role in social impact:
This theme explores how interactive storytelling can enhance awareness, self-efficacy and dialogue to catalyze action addressing societal challenges.
How can we move people from simply knowing about an issue to doing something about it? In this theme, we’ll explore how narrative formats—across digital, physical, or hybrid mediums—can activate a sense of agency and motivate real-world engagement. Stories can make systemic issues personal, clarify complex information, and build the emotional momentum needed for change. Together, we’ll reflect on how storytelling strategies can empower communities, shift behaviors, and support ongoing action toward social impact.
This theme explores how interactive storytelling can help people see the world through fresh eyes and spark deeper understanding.
How do we challenge assumptions and encourage genuine “ah-ha” moments that can inspire empathy or unlock new insights? In this theme, we will experiment with creative storytelling techniques—whether it’s a narrative interface, a dialog-based storyboard, or a simple everyday interaction—to show how minor disturbances or thought-provoking surprises can prompt major changes in viewpoint. Instead of just persuading an audience, these approaches invite reflection and momentarily place them in someone else’s shoes. By the workshop’s end, we aim to co-create small prototypes that demonstrate how to catalyze meaningful perspective shifts with storytelling tools.
Participants will learn to adapt storytelling techniques to different cultural contexts, ensuring narratives are respectful and relevant to varied audiences.
How do we create stories that resonate across borders—without flattening identities or erasing difference? In this theme, we’ll explore how cultural knowledge, values, and traditions shape both how stories are told and how they’re understood. From language to aesthetics to participation, we’ll consider what it takes to build narratives that connect meaningfully with diverse audiences. Through shared examples and discussion, we’ll reflect on how storytelling can act as a bridge—connecting communities, amplifying voices, and respecting context.
Submit 2–4 page position papers (max 4 pages PDF) in the ACM SIGCHI single-column template: \documentclass[manuscript,review]{acmart} (Word: interim template). Include in your preamble: \acmConference[Stories for Change '25]{Stories for Change: Interactive Storytelling for Social Impact Workshop 2025}{June 23, 2025}{Online}.
Papers need not be anonymized or include CCS codes/submission dates. Authors retain copyright. At least one author per accepted paper must register for both this workshop and ACM C&C 2025.
Provide a 2–4 page submission via email to the organizers describing a real-world case where storytelling played—or could have played—a key role:
We welcome diverse contributions—from research, design, activism, education, and community practice. Selections prioritize quality, thematic balance, and diversity. Accepted papers will be shared in advance.
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (NL)
Social Focus; Poverty
Inteli Instituto de Tecnologia (BR)
Social Focus: Cultural Inequality
IU Internationale Hochschule (DE)
Social Focus: Gender Inequality
Woxsen University (IN)
Social Focus: Women’s Rights & Poverty
Hochschule Düsseldorf (DE)
Social Focus: Climate Change