Erin James, a professor of English at the University of Idaho’s College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, discussed on Apr. 21 how storytelling can help people better understand scientific topics, especially those related to the environment. James is also the director of the university’s sustainability certificate program and co-director of the Confluence Lab.
James said that her research focuses on narratology—the science of stories—and examines how narratives shape human thought and behavior. She explained that studies show when people read or hear a story, their brains simulate the experience by activating regions involved in real-life actions and emotions. This makes storytelling an effective tool for communicating complex issues such as environmental change.
Through her work with the sustainability certificate program and the Confluence Lab, James brings together researchers from various fields including science and humanities to explore new ways to make environmental topics more relatable. The lab’s projects include “Stories of Fire,” which involves collaborations between students, scientists, and artists to rethink how research is communicated in rural communities across the West.
James said that addressing sustainability challenges requires not only scientific data but also cultural, emotional, and social understanding: “Their work shows that sustainability challenges aren’t just scientific — they’re cultural, emotional and social. And solving them requires more than data. It requires better stories — and more voices at the table.” She emphasized that interdisciplinary collaboration is key for tackling these complex problems.
The episode encourages listeners to contact vandaltheory@uidaho.edu with questions or comments.