Scott
Seeds of Peace Fellow, 2019
IMPACT: SOCIAL
Creating stories, developing skills, and uncovering the science of 'bridge building.'
Challenge
Public discourse in our nation is at a breaking point: recent surveys suggest that the ideological divides among Americans are greater than ever. The resulting hostility and distrust undermines our emotional well-being, the quality of our relationships, and the integrity of our democratic institutions.
Solution
Road-trip across the United States to produce a book, audio stories, and creative experiences illuminating the many ways we can build bridges and connect with one another in unexpected ways.
Scott is an artist, creative leader, and writer dedicated to strengthening the “bridge building” movement in the United States. In partnership with UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, he is also designing resources that highlight effective strategies for fostering positive dialogue, relationships, and understanding across group lines, drawing on years of social science research and best practices from leading organizations.
Scott loves freestyle rapping, islands (born in Hawaii, Fulbright in Iceland), and tree houses. He was a creative leader at the design firm IDEO and a music writer for The Washington Post. He’s been awarded grants and fellowships from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, National Arts Strategies, MTV Networks, and the Sundance Institute. Scott received his degree in journalism from Washington State University, and has taught design and storytelling at University of California Berkeley and University of Pennsylvania.
“I believe the greatest problem of our time is growing social polarization.”