Mission
To unlock the power of storytelling to help the next generation thrive and grow
Impact
The Center for Scholars & Storytellers is the only youth-centered organization that bridges the gap between social science research and media creation. In 2023 we reached over 1000 storytellers and made headlines with our Teens & Screens report around the world. Read our Year in Review to learn more about our impact in 2023.
Our Guiding Principles
Grounded in social science
Expertise is a three-way street
Learning organization
Go where the eyeballs & thumbs are
Focus on adolescents
Carrot not the stick
Harnessing This Power for Good
The most effective interventions meet people where they’re at and today, a significant number of youth are on screens. Our sweet spot is adolescence (ages 10-25), a critical age for cognitive flexibility. We develop tools to identify and measure how narrative systems, linear storytelling, and second-screen experiences can make a positive impact that can be applied at scale. By focusing on the intersection of youth and interdisciplinary collaboration, CSS fills a communication and thought leadership gap no one else is covering.
Storytelling’s Impact on Unconscious Bias
Many believed that having the first Black president would cause a shift in unconscious race bias throughout the United States. However, during the eight years that Barack Obama was president, researchers found no shift.
During that same time period, they did find a 13% reduction in unconscious LGBTQ+ bias. The researchers credit positive representations of LGBTQ+ characters on screen such as the show Glee with impacting these perceptions.
Our Story
Former senior movie executive, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, founded the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) in 2018 after leaving the movie industry to obtain a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. CSS is a purpose-driven research organization dedicated to unlocking the power of storytelling for the next generation by bridging the gap between social science research and media creation. CSS is affiliated with UCLA through the faculty appointment of our founder in the Psychology Department, one of the top-ranked in the nation. The Center’s research, workshops and think tanks are supported by the generosity of its funders and partners. In addition, CSS houses a consulting division to advise clients in media, technology and social impact. Our team includes several dozen Fellows, graduate students, and research assistants.
We also have more than 100 academic collaborators working with us from universities around the world, and our industry networks include studio executives, managers, agents, writers, directors, producers, and industry organizations. They support our work by joining events, initiatives, think tanks, and advisory councils. They also provide input on research design and tools for the entertainment industry.