David Anthony Parkinson PhD, FHEA
Research Portfolio


Knowledge Exchange and Impact


01. Nym: AI Storytelling
02. The Science of Storytelling: Podcast
03. StoryCraft Pro: Storytelling Card Tool


Key Publications

01. Towards a Storytelling Pedagogy
02. Authentic Peer Assessment
03. Authentic Video Feedback
04. Establishing Trust through Storytelling
05. Storytelling at the Design Pitch
06. Unlock the Potentialities of Communities
07. Engaging Design Pitches
08. Storytelling Impact-Approach Framework
09. Design Process and Organisational Strategy
10. Designer Storytelling


Teaching and Learning

Click here to see the blog site I manage for our award winning product design students.


Bio

I’m an academic specialising in storytelling’s role in new product development (NPD), with over a decade of research into how narrative drives early-stage innovation. My work led to a widely recognised framework and card-based tool that helps NPD teams apply storytelling strategically. At Northumbria University, I embed these insights into the BA (Hons) Product Design curriculum. I have also led postgraduate research in the Department of Design, Arts and Creative Industries for a three year period. Currently, I’m collaborating with industry to develop a digital version of my tool, championing storytelling as a powerful methodology for driving creativity and innovation in design.

Explore the galleries to the right to learn more about my key research endeavors.


Contact
david.a.parkinson@northumbria.ac.uk

02.The Science of Storytelling

Media Activity
Podcast
2025
Audience Connection Podcast

Sponsored by Casual Films
Episode 11
Link

In this episode of Audience Connection, sponsored by Casual Films, I join Oliver Atkinson, MD of Casual Films, to explore the art of storytelling, or rather - the power of stories, when pitching concepts in industry. We discuss how stories can transform the way ideas are presented and received. I share insights from my research, including the development of StoryCraft Pro, a card tool I designed to inspire strategic storytelling. Casual Films explain how StoryCraft Pro has helped shape their client strategy meetings, making their pitches more engaging and effective. We dive into why stories matter more than ever, and what can go wrong if you don’t think about them strategically.