Braid

OVERVIEW

Vocational storytelling community enhancing knowledge sharing through personal narrative

• Democratizes expert and lived experience knowledge sharing 
  
• For professional development, community building, educational enhancement 
  

INNOVATION

Braid, developed at the University of Michigan with support from the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN), offers a unique approach to vocational storytelling. This open-access and open-source platform allows students, faculty, and practitioners to share their vocational stories and insights in a supportive environment. The technical innovation lies in its design, which eschews traditional social media engagement metrics in favor of deeper, more meaningful interactions through story-sharing and braiding—adding personal stories to existing narratives. Potential real-world applications include enhancing professional development, fostering collaborative learning environments, and building stronger, more connected communities. By making storytelling accessible and joyful, Braid supports knowledge development and fosters collaboration based on deeper human connections, focusing on the 'muddy middle' of vocational journeys rather than just milestones.