Jess Crombie

Biography

Jess Crombie is a thought leader in ethical storytelling, with over twenty-five years' experience in the humanitarian sector, including as Global Content Director for Save the Children. She is currently a researcher at the University of the Arts London (in partnership with the AKO Storytelling Institute) and the London School of Economics, and a consultant to leading humanitarian and development organisations. Her research investigates shifting narrative power by seeking the opinions and ideas of people with lived experience of humanitarian crises.

Her studies, including 'The People in the Pictures' (2017), 'Who Owns The Story' (2022) and 'Rethink, Reframe, Redefine' (2024), have influenced the sector to redefine the relationship between story producer and story 'subject'. A key outcome is the Contributor Centred Storytelling (CCS) methodology, now used by 13 leading INGOs and UN bodies. Jess also founded and co-chairs the Bond Ethical Storytelling working group (500+ members across 150 INGOs), is a Trustee of One World Media, and a board member of creative agency Don't Panic. From 2025–27 she is leading a research project with the AKO Storytelling Institute on embedding storytelling for social and environmental change into higher education.