I’m coordinator of Semiofest’s series of informal online “sessions.” These events are intended not only to share best practices among, but to nurture collegiality and friendship within the global semio community.

Coming up on 26th September (at 2 pm UK time)…

NARRATIVE SEMIOTICS

Narratives influence our beliefs and actions, even our perception of reality. So when it comes to influencing global perceptions, driving social change, and consolidating symbolic and political power, it’s crucial to use the tools offered by narrative semiotics. Serdar Paktin, host of this session, has invited Sarah Dodge (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) and Laura Jordan Bambach (Uncharted) to unravel the semiotic strategies behind impactful narratives across diverse domains — social activism, design, advertising, marketing, politics — thus allowing us to grasp their profound implications.

Get tickets (suggested donations only) at the link above.

Our sessionists:

• LAURA JORDAN BAMBACH is Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Uncharted. For over 20 years, Laura has enhanced the industry through her fresh and pioneering spirit and ideas that are firmly rooted in culture, not advertising. Combining deep technical skill, with her innate human understanding and passion for storytelling, Laura is recognised and awarded globally as an creative innovator and industry leader.

• SARAH DODGE is a Strategic Design Manager at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Combining her experience in design research and innovation, Sarah uses design at the Foundation to engage with and support organisations in co-shaping a circular future that eliminates waste and pollution, circulates materials, and regenerates nature.

Session host: SERDAR PAKTIN is a strategist, sensemaker, and expert in cross-cultural semiotics and cultural analysis. As the founder of Pakt Agency, a consultancy based in London and Istanbul, he helps brands and businesses navigate cultural and sensory codes across Turkey, the MENA region, the UK, and beyond, bridging Western and Eastern perspectives.

SEMIOFEST SESSIONS: R/D/E | BINARIES | SEMIOTICS & UX | BODY SEMIOTICS | AI & SEMIOTICS | SEMIOTICS & CINEMA | FICTIONAL DECODERS | ON COLOUR | & more.

Also see these global semio series: MAKING SENSE (Q&As) | SEMIOFEST SESSIONS (monthly mini-conferences) | COVID CODES | SEMIO OBJECTS | COLOR CODEX | DECODER (fictional semioticians) | CASE FILE | PHOTO OP | MEDIA DIET.