Multimedia Environmental Communication

Learn how to turn environmental research into stories people care about. In this hands-on course, students learn how to turn environmental research, ideas, and stories into compelling multimedia for public audiences. Through intensive practice with cameras, photography, audio equipment, editing tools, and social media platforms, students develop skills in short documentary production, documentary-style photography, audio storytelling and podcasting, and adapting multimedia stories for digital platforms. From field reporting and interviewing to editing and distribution, students work collaboratively through professional production workflows while learning how to communicate complex environmental issues with accuracy, creativity, and purpose. Students will work in small teams within one of five environmental beats, each connected to research and sustainability efforts happening within the Stanford community. Working with professors, researchers, postdocs, practitioners, and other contributing voices, students will identify compelling stories, conduct research and field reporting, and create original multimedia work that can support broader environmental communication efforts. Each student will develop one story across three formats: a short explainer video, an audio story or podcast episode, and a photo essay. No prior professional production experience is required. Curiosity, collaboration, a willingness to experiment, and a commitment to learning the craft are.