Workshop on Idea Generation in Longform Storytelling

Participants of the “Ctrl+Alt+Story: Research and Storytelling in Journalism” fellowship program spent an exciting day of interactive learning and exploration on Friday, January 30, 2026. Twenty-one students are participating in the initiative jointly organized by the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and Drik. 

The day began with the Workshop “Idea Stereotypes and Breaking Them” where students learned about the importance of day to experiences and observations to conceptualize journalistic explorations as well as the issues to deal with in investigative/longform storytelling. The New Age journo and Head of Drik’s Research and Public Campaigns Saydia Gulrukh facilitated the session. 

After the workshop, the participants explored visual storytelling through curated tours of Chobi Mela at Drik Gallery, Alliance Française Dhaka, and Bangladesh Shilpakola Academy with artists and photographers from Drik as their guide. 

It is noteworthy here that the Ctrl+Alt+Story initiative started with 21 participants selected through a two-step rigorous process. The participants will learn the art of longform writing through several workshops and masterclasses facilitated by renowned journalists and storytellers. Afterwards, they will pursue investigative journalism projects of their preference with a grant provided by the initiative jointly introduced by ULAB and Drik.