Create Real-World Change through the Art of Storytelling
Are you a dedicated early career researcher with a passion for using the art of storytelling to drive social change? StoryArcs invites you to join the 2025-2026 cohort as an Early Career Story Fellow for a 12–14-month paid Research Leadership Role and Professional Development opportunity. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), led by Bath Spa University, and delivered in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, University of the Arts London, and Cardiff Metropolitan University, we are calling on researchers committed to service, community, and meaningful contribution.
Dedicating 2.5 days per week to this role, you will leverage your narrative expertise to address complex real-world challenges, collaborate with like-minded Fellows, and receive professional development support. If you’re ready to use your skills to amplify marginalised voices and contribute to the development of a creative storytelling eco-system, this is your opportunity.
Exciting Funded Placement Opportunity!
Become an Early Career Story Fellow and harness your storytelling abilities to make a profound impact. This is not just a job; it’s a chance to drive community-focused change and shape cultural narratives through the art of storytelling over a 12–14-month period, starting in February 2024.
Your Role as a Story Fellow:
🌍 Lead an Inspiring Project: Collaborate with a Host organisation to tackle significant creative, cultural or community challenges. Use your storytelling skills to inspire and develop innovative solutions that promote positive action.
📚 Shape the Future of Storytelling: Engage with our i-story initiative, an innovative space for groundbreaking research in storytelling, where your contributions will help redefine this evolving field.
🤝 Build Community and Enrich Lives: Immerse yourself in the Fellowship community, fostering connections and sharing your unique perspectives to uplift and inspire others.
🌟 Showcase Your Impact: Craft compelling narratives that highlight the transformative power of storytelling to impact individuals, communities, and broader systems.
What You’ll Gain:
🌱 Leadership Development and Growth: Access a cutting-edge Deep Story Leadership Platform designed to elevate your skills, enhance your research, and deepen your capacity to lead with empathy and purpose.
💬 Invaluable Connections: Become part of the StoryArcs Fellowship – a network of storytellers, researchers, and industry leaders who share your commitment to fostering positive change.
🏅 Recognition and Awards: Earn the prestigious StoryArcs Award for your achievements and contributions toward creating positive change through storytelling.
Make a Difference: Apply Today!
If you're driven to make a meaningful contribution to the world, this opportunity will equip you with the challenge, skills, and network necessary to do just that. Ready to embark on your transformative journey? Submit your application by 18th November and join a vibrant community of changemakers!
Whether you’re passionate about social impact, community identity, health decision-making, creative collaboration, preserving cultural legacies, or capturing historical narratives, the StoryArcs Fellowship offers you a chance to engage deeply in meaningful storytelling projects. These initiatives address complex challenges using the art of narrative to empower communities and document transformative experiences. With mentorship, professional development, and a focus on community engagement, you will lead a storytelling project that drives social change.
Your skills and passion can make a difference.
Which adventure will you choose to help create a better future?
Boots UK, Nottingham
Capture the stories behind Boots' contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Document pivotal moments and lessons learned to catalyse future change. Use your storytelling skills to highlight the human experiences behind the brand’s frontline support and deepen understanding of community resilience. If you’re enthusiastic about public health narratives and corporate responsibility, this project is your chance to make a difference!
Read More
Nottingham Castle
Explore Nottingham Castle’s rich and multifaceted history as a creative practitioner focused on sensitive reinterpretation. Examine artworks and objects with complex narratives, crafting new stories that honour the past while engaging contemporary audiences. Enrich the cultural dialogue around history and identity through your creativity. If you’re passionate about art, history, and innovative storytelling, this project invites your contribution!
Read More
Nottingham City ofLiterature
Join Nottingham City of Literature in commemorating a decade of cultural impact through storytelling. As a Story Fellow, gather and share compelling narratives honouring the organisation’s contributions locally and internationally while shaping a vision for the future. Your work will preserve literary heritage and inspire a new generation of readers and writers. Celebrate the power of literature to shape culture!
Read More
Cardiff Council
Help shape community identity in Cardiff through an exciting regeneration project. Use storytelling to discover and celebrate residents' rich narratives in Channel View, Grangetown, as they transition to sustainable homes. Engage deeply with the community to honour their histories and aspirations, fostering belonging amidst change. If you’re driven to explore resilience and community connection, this is your opportunity!
Read More Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Become part of a transformative initiative empowering women and girls with cystic fibrosis. Co-create resources supporting informed decision-making around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. Collaborate with health professionals and patients to ensure your narratives resonate and foster shared understanding. If you’re passionate about health advocacy and narrative methods, your contributions can lead to impactful change!
Read More Tomorrow’s Warriors
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Want to find out more?
FAQs
Have a question?
Read our frequently asked questions to discover more details about the StoryArcs Programme and Story Fellows opportunity.
Attend a Virtual Town Hall
We’re offering guidance as you craft your application. Virtual Town Hall events will take place during the application period where you can meet the StoryArcs team, learn more about this opportunity and ask any questions you might have. Check back here soon to register for these.
Application Pack
Find out more information about the opportunity in the StoryArcs Fellowship Applicant Information Pack.
This pack provides information about the Deep Story Leadership Platform, The StoryArcs Award, The Story Society and partners.
Design Your Own Adventure: Explore Flexible Pathways for Support.
If none of the nine paid opportunities above fit your interests, we may still be able to help you. Although the flexible pathway isn’t open yet, we want to gauge interest from those eager to leverage our Deep Story Platform for their own projects, research or organisational goals. To participate, you should already have a grant for your project or be employed by an organisation willing to sponsor you.
Find out more here.
Explore Nottingham Castle’s rich and multifaceted history as a creative practitioner focused on sensitive reinterpretation. Examine artworks and objects with complex narratives, crafting new stories that honour the past while engaging contemporary audiences. Enrich the cultural dialogue around history and identity through your creativity. If you’re passionate about art, history, and innovative storytelling, this project invites your contribution!
Read More
Nottingham City ofLiterature
Join Nottingham City of Literature in commemorating a decade of cultural impact through storytelling. As a Story Fellow, gather and share compelling narratives honouring the organisation’s contributions locally and internationally while shaping a vision for the future. Your work will preserve literary heritage and inspire a new generation of readers and writers. Celebrate the power of literature to shape culture!
Read More
Cardiff Council
Help shape community identity in Cardiff through an exciting regeneration project. Use storytelling to discover and celebrate residents' rich narratives in Channel View, Grangetown, as they transition to sustainable homes. Engage deeply with the community to honour their histories and aspirations, fostering belonging amidst change. If you’re driven to explore resilience and community connection, this is your opportunity!
Read More Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Become part of a transformative initiative empowering women and girls with cystic fibrosis. Co-create resources supporting informed decision-making around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. Collaborate with health professionals and patients to ensure your narratives resonate and foster shared understanding. If you’re passionate about health advocacy and narrative methods, your contributions can lead to impactful change!
Read More Tomorrow’s Warriors
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Want to find out more?
FAQs
Have a question?
Read our frequently asked questions to discover more details about the StoryArcs Programme and Story Fellows opportunity.
Attend a Virtual Town Hall
We’re offering guidance as you craft your application. Virtual Town Hall events will take place during the application period where you can meet the StoryArcs team, learn more about this opportunity and ask any questions you might have. Check back here soon to register for these.
Application Pack
Find out more information about the opportunity in the StoryArcs Fellowship Applicant Information Pack.
This pack provides information about the Deep Story Leadership Platform, The StoryArcs Award, The Story Society and partners.
Design Your Own Adventure: Explore Flexible Pathways for Support.
If none of the nine paid opportunities above fit your interests, we may still be able to help you. Although the flexible pathway isn’t open yet, we want to gauge interest from those eager to leverage our Deep Story Platform for their own projects, research or organisational goals. To participate, you should already have a grant for your project or be employed by an organisation willing to sponsor you.
Find out more here.
Join Nottingham City of Literature in commemorating a decade of cultural impact through storytelling. As a Story Fellow, gather and share compelling narratives honouring the organisation’s contributions locally and internationally while shaping a vision for the future. Your work will preserve literary heritage and inspire a new generation of readers and writers. Celebrate the power of literature to shape culture!
Read More
Cardiff Council
Help shape community identity in Cardiff through an exciting regeneration project. Use storytelling to discover and celebrate residents' rich narratives in Channel View, Grangetown, as they transition to sustainable homes. Engage deeply with the community to honour their histories and aspirations, fostering belonging amidst change. If you’re driven to explore resilience and community connection, this is your opportunity!
Read More Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Become part of a transformative initiative empowering women and girls with cystic fibrosis. Co-create resources supporting informed decision-making around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. Collaborate with health professionals and patients to ensure your narratives resonate and foster shared understanding. If you’re passionate about health advocacy and narrative methods, your contributions can lead to impactful change!
Read More Tomorrow’s Warriors
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Want to find out more?
FAQs
Have a question?
Read our frequently asked questions to discover more details about the StoryArcs Programme and Story Fellows opportunity.
Attend a Virtual Town Hall
We’re offering guidance as you craft your application. Virtual Town Hall events will take place during the application period where you can meet the StoryArcs team, learn more about this opportunity and ask any questions you might have. Check back here soon to register for these.
Application Pack
Find out more information about the opportunity in the StoryArcs Fellowship Applicant Information Pack.
This pack provides information about the Deep Story Leadership Platform, The StoryArcs Award, The Story Society and partners.
Design Your Own Adventure: Explore Flexible Pathways for Support.
If none of the nine paid opportunities above fit your interests, we may still be able to help you. Although the flexible pathway isn’t open yet, we want to gauge interest from those eager to leverage our Deep Story Platform for their own projects, research or organisational goals. To participate, you should already have a grant for your project or be employed by an organisation willing to sponsor you.
Find out more here.
Help shape community identity in Cardiff through an exciting regeneration project. Use storytelling to discover and celebrate residents' rich narratives in Channel View, Grangetown, as they transition to sustainable homes. Engage deeply with the community to honour their histories and aspirations, fostering belonging amidst change. If you’re driven to explore resilience and community connection, this is your opportunity!
Read More
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Become part of a transformative initiative empowering women and girls with cystic fibrosis. Co-create resources supporting informed decision-making around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. Collaborate with health professionals and patients to ensure your narratives resonate and foster shared understanding. If you’re passionate about health advocacy and narrative methods, your contributions can lead to impactful change!
Read More Tomorrow’s Warriors
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Want to find out more?
FAQs
Have a question?
Read our frequently asked questions to discover more details about the StoryArcs Programme and Story Fellows opportunity.
Attend a Virtual Town Hall
We’re offering guidance as you craft your application. Virtual Town Hall events will take place during the application period where you can meet the StoryArcs team, learn more about this opportunity and ask any questions you might have. Check back here soon to register for these.
Application Pack
Find out more information about the opportunity in the StoryArcs Fellowship Applicant Information Pack.
This pack provides information about the Deep Story Leadership Platform, The StoryArcs Award, The Story Society and partners.
Design Your Own Adventure: Explore Flexible Pathways for Support.
If none of the nine paid opportunities above fit your interests, we may still be able to help you. Although the flexible pathway isn’t open yet, we want to gauge interest from those eager to leverage our Deep Story Platform for their own projects, research or organisational goals. To participate, you should already have a grant for your project or be employed by an organisation willing to sponsor you.
Find out more here.
Become part of a transformative initiative empowering women and girls with cystic fibrosis. Co-create resources supporting informed decision-making around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. Collaborate with health professionals and patients to ensure your narratives resonate and foster shared understanding. If you’re passionate about health advocacy and narrative methods, your contributions can lead to impactful change!
Read More
Tomorrow’s Warriors
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Join Tomorrow’s Warriors on a transformative journey harmonising the history of young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. Synthesise diverse materials into a cohesive narrative, capturing their essence and impact. By preserving the organisation’s legacy, ensure that the voices of Warriors past and present resonate for future generations. If you’re dedicated to supporting cultural legacies, this is your stage!
Read More
AKO Storytelling Institute
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Join the AKO Storytelling Institute in redefining impact storytelling. Explore narrative change and arts for social impact, developing stories that highlight cross-sector collaboration. By identifying shared themes and values, foster a deeper understanding of the storytelling ecosystem, empowering practitioners and stakeholders. If you’re enthusiastic about arts activism and driving social change, this project is your ideal canvas!
Read More
Nutkhut
Celebrate Nutkhut’s legacy through innovative storytelling. As a leading performance company that blends dance, film, and participation with a distinctly British comedic sensibility, Nutkhut has delighted audiences for over a decade. As a Story Fellow, you will advocate for Nutkhut by creating research-informed outputs that highlight its engagement with diaspora communities. Your expertise will enable this arts organisation to retain authorship while celebrating its unique cultural representation!
Read More
Sonic Screen Lab
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Join Sonic Screen Lab in an adventure where you’ll harness your storytelling expertise to weave the collective narrative of an interdisciplinary group! As part of a creative research playground, enhance the visibility of innovative projects, exploring the links between audio, visual storytelling, and social change. Collaborate with diverse creatives, engage through online interventions and live events, and develop a storytelling toolkit to empower other interdisciplinary hubs.
Read More
Want to find out more?
FAQs
Have a question?
Read our frequently asked questions to discover more details about the StoryArcs Programme and Story Fellows opportunity.
Attend a Virtual Town Hall
We’re offering guidance as you craft your application. Virtual Town Hall events will take place during the application period where you can meet the StoryArcs team, learn more about this opportunity and ask any questions you might have. Check back here soon to register for these.
Application Pack
Find out more information about the opportunity in the StoryArcs Fellowship Applicant Information Pack.
This pack provides information about the Deep Story Leadership Platform, The StoryArcs Award, The Story Society and partners.
Design Your Own Adventure: Explore Flexible Pathways for Support.
If none of the nine paid opportunities above fit your interests, we may still be able to help you. Although the flexible pathway isn’t open yet, we want to gauge interest from those eager to leverage our Deep Story Platform for their own projects, research or organisational goals. To participate, you should already have a grant for your project or be employed by an organisation willing to sponsor you.
Find out more here.