Breakfast & Networking
University Student Center (USC) - 8:30-9:00 am
Friday Morning Workshops
Register for Workshops Here
Session A - 9:00 - 10:15 am
Paying Attention to the Tension to Set Intention: Transforming Conflict for Social Change
Room 308
How is conflict present in our work as environmental storytellers, at macro, meso, micro, and “me-cro” scales? In this interactive workshop, we “pay attention to the tension to set intention” vis-a-vis diverse stories, places, and people. Centering the role of tension, we move from observation and critique to awareness-raising, advocacy, and action with distinct groups and audiences. Participants deepen key knowledge, skills, and dispositions to productively transform conflicts in the service of meaningful social change.
Dr. Netta Avineri - Professor, Language Teacher Education and Intercultural Communication, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
The Story is Not Static: Process as Storytelling
Room 307
Do you ever start, continue, or finish a story with the feeling that there was more than one story hidden within its creation? We often dismiss the seemingly basic but essential elements of our own processes. The challenge of getting the story is often just as valuable AS the story, and so this workshop will help explore creative ways to capture those qualitative data points that, when strung together, charge the meaning of the work we do.
Tyler Dorholt - Director of the Writing Program and Digital Storytelling Studio;
Assistant Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Leveraging Inspirational Narratives for Action: How to Make Your Story a Catalyst for Change
Room 311
Using examples from an episode of “Wild Hope,” Alex Duckles, Digital Media & Impact Producer for Tangled Bank Studios, shows how to take your environmental story to the next actionable step.
Students, be sure to bring YOUR story that’s already published, as each breakout group will need an example to explore how to turn your story into action.
Alex Duckles - Digital Media & Impact Producer, Tangled Bank Studios
Anneliese Palmer - Sr. Editor & Education Lead, Planet Forward
Creating New Sustainable Markets: An Ocean Bound Plastics Case Study
Room 310
Join an interactive workshop, led by Dell Technologies, where teams will explore the issue of ocean-bound plastic, or OBP, which is defined as “at risk of ending up in the ocean,” and is estimated to generate 80% of plastic marine litter. As plastics cannot yet be avoided completely, Dell is working to build the circular economy to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean. You will learn how to incentivize the marketplace, deal with competing needs and tradeoffs, and actually address the intense challenges and sustainability. From the pickers to the recyclers and marketers. Can the marketplace solve our biggest sustainability challenges? Learn how to tell that story.
Please check out the Case Study before the workshop!
Frank Sesno, Planet Forward
Macani Toungara, Dell Technologies
Friday Morning Workshops
Session B - 10:30 - 11:45 am
Science-in-Action Filmmaking: Journeys of Exploration and Discovery
Room 311
Come learn how undergraduates at Rutgers are collaborating with world renowned scientists to make compelling science-in-action film stories for broad, public audiences as part of an innovative science communication model.
Journey with scientists in the Alvin submersible to explore the origins of deep sea ecosystems living around active underwater volcanoes (hydrothermal vents) as part of the making of National Science Foundation supported feature film Mysteries of 9° North. Go behind the scenes with researchers developing climate resilient food crops to increase America's food security as part of the making of USDA supported Amaranth: Cultivating Culture. Meet featured scientists and undergraduates in person will demonstrate how they make these compelling science-in-action film stories.
Dena Seidel, Food System Scientist, award winning science filmmaker and storytelling mentor, Rutgers University
Featuring:
Dr. Xenia Morin, Department of Plant Biology
Tori Rosen, plant science Ph.D. student
Dr. Jim Simon, Distinguished Professor of Plant Science (Zoom)
Dr. Costa Vetriani, Professor of Microbiology (Zoom)
Dr. Oscar Schofield, Distinguished Professor of Marine Science (Zoom)
Undergraduate science storytellers:
- Brendan Henley - Major: Physical Oceanography
- Colby Koutrakos - Major: Ecology
- Erin Cabanado - Major: Biotechnology
- Miriam Decker - Major: Agriculture and Food Systems
- Michael Cerne - Major: Computer Science
From Narratives to Career Action: Leveraging Storytelling for Environmental Impact
Room 307
This session is designed to illuminate the varied career paths within environmental journalism and beyond, offering practical insights on applying journalistic skills across sectors. Through keynote discussions with Planet Forward alumni and targeted breakout sessions, participants will explore the critical role of storytelling in environmental advocacy, law, policy, academia, and more, while providing networking opportunities for future collaboration. Prepare to be inspired, educated, and empowered with the tools to effectively communicate complex environmental issues in your professional journey.
Please fill out this survey before the workshop!
MODERATOR: Frank Sesno, Planet Forward
Francesca Edralin, World Wildlife Fund
Beverly Ndifoin, University of Notre Dame
Max Sano, Beyond Pesticides
Cate Twining-Ward, Columbia University
Making Waves: Communicating Water Data to Advance Sustainability
Room 308
Explore how Denmark and DC Water monitor data to create progress on greenhouse gas reduction.
Anne-Louise Fregerslev Christensen, Senior Commercial Advisor, Water, Denmark
Dr. Matt Ries, Vice President of Strategy & Performance Officer, DC Water
Unleashing Creativity: Multimedia Tools for Science Storytelling and Environmental Impact
Room 310
Students will learn to leverage Adobe creative tools and other creative storytelling techniques to build more visually accessible science communication materials that increase public engagement.
Jim Entwistle, Senior Lecturer in Digital Journalism, Teesside University
Kirsten Nagel, Adobe
Dr. Elizabeth North, Professor, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Friday Afternoon Meetings & Demonstrations
12:00 - 3:00 pm
** LUNCH **
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY CHAIA TACOS
*Lunch is first come, first served
12:00-1:30 pm - Planet Forward Pillar Schools Meeting
Room 310
Planet Forward will host a lunch-time meeting with our Pillar Schools. An email invitation coming soon will have more information!
Hosted by:
Nichole Dougherty, SUNY ESF
Mark Lichtenstein, SUNY ESF
1:30-2:30 pm - HBCU-Planet Forward Collaborative Planning Session
Room 308
Now that you've refueled, we're calling all HBCU students, faculty, and staff to join us for a post-lunch gathering to brainstorm a collaborative HBCU-focused Correspondent program, similar to our successful and completely Indigenous-led Indigenous Correspondents Program.
Planet Forward wants to be a platform for your work, and help lead the call for more environmental storytellers of color!
Hosted by:
Dr. Monyai Chavers, Tuskegee University
Jesse J. Holland, George Washington University
1:30-3:00 pm - Science-in-Action Filmmaking: A Demonstration
Room 302
After lunch, from 1:30-3 pm, again join Dena Seidel and her science and film students as they demonstrate the work they do. Ask them questions about their projects and the steps they take to making these dynamic and impactful science stories in trusting partnership with scientists!
Dena Seidel, Food System Scientist, award winning science filmmaker and storytelling mentor, Rutgers University
Featuring:
Tori Rosen, plant science Ph.D. student
Undergraduate science storytellers:
- Brendan Henley - Major: Physical Oceanography
- Colby Koutrakos - Major: Ecology
- Erin Cabanado - Major: Microbiology
- Miriam Decker - Major: Agriculture and Food Systems
- Michael Cerne - Major: Computer Science