TOM RANKIN, Director of the Center for Documentary Studies, Duke University

    For the last decade, Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies has been an important resource for teachers, youth, and citizens wishing to learn or develop documentary skills. The Center promotes documentary work that cultivates progressive change by amplifying voices, advancing human dignity, engendering respect among individuals, breaking down barriers to understanding, and illuminating social injustices. CDS focuses on documentary work grounded in collaborative partnerships and “values documentary work that balances community goals with individual artistic expression.” Rankin will discuss how the Center selects its projects, the value of providing continuing education courses to citizens interested in acquiring documentary skills, and how storytelling and visual literacy can help people come together to make their communities better places to live.