In this episode, we’re joined by two powerhouse storytellers in the global development space, Meryl Westlake and Lucy Taylor. Together, they share their journeys into digital content creation for international development, offering insights into crafting compelling narratives for global health, humanitarian emergencies, and environmental causes. They dive into the ethics of storytelling in global development, exploring the fine line between advocacy and the “commercialization of suffering,” the importance of valid consent, and the power dynamics between creators and subjects. Plus, they discuss social media’s role in global health advocacy, with practical tips on using these platforms “for good.” Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on the transformative power—and responsibility—of impactful storytelling ✨
Meryl Westlake and Lucy Taylor
United Kingdom
“Ethics of Storytelling, Valid Consent, and Power Dynamics between the Creator and Subject”
We’re excited to introduce Meryl Westlake and Lucy Taylor to join us for our episode today! Meryl is a senior content designer and producer whose work has spanned multiple charities and world organisations. She has covered topics like global health, gender-based violence, humanitarian emergencies, and environmental issues. Lucy is a content strategist, producer and writer with 10+ years of experience working with third sector, nonprofit and purpose-driven organisations on their storytelling and communications. She contributed to the creation of new ethical guidelines for the collection of content in international development settings, published by Bond in 2019. Welcome to the podcast, and thank you both for joining us.