In the immediate aftermath of a politically divisive or morally outrageous event, narratives quickly emerge on either side of the issue — often mutually disparaged as fake news. These divisive political narratives dominate our discourse, and the dynamics of our media consumption promote polarization and exacerbate these issues.

The Narratives Project studies the evolution and divergence of political narratives to help people better understand the nature of the stories emerging around them. Our mission is to promote political mindfulness and peace through rigorous media analysis and original research. We also aim to educate consumers by providing resources to help them understand why and how political narratives emerge. Finally, we advise institutions and companies on ethical practices and policies grounded in our original research.

Project Director Bio: Shaun Cammack is the founder and director of the Narratives Project. He’s a researcher in cultural psychology and cultural evolution, and he received his M.A. from the University of Chicago.