Using findings from the Millennium Cohort study, we were tasked with creating an engaging educational animation to highlight gender bias in career aspirations among 11–14-year-olds. Our ‘Gender Stereotypes: Anti-Fairytale’ project brought the research to life through creative storytelling, aiming to spark discussion and inspire more inclusive thinking in schools and homes across the UK.
We developed an animated Fairytale that playfully subverted classic gender stereotypes using bold characters and witty, relatable humour. To enhance educational value, we created a suite of supporting learning materials for easy use in classrooms and at home. The animation and resources were rolled out nationwide in 2019, helping schools engage students in conversations around gender equality.
To enhance authenticity, we introduced a vlogger-style narrator whose introduction and conclusion required precise lip syncing. Ensuring the character’s mouth movements matched the dialogue and timing accurately was key to creating a natural, engaging narration that felt both credible and relatable to the audience.
To deepen engagement and encourage reflection, we created a themed educational toolkit for the project. Designed for use in classrooms or at home, the toolkit includes quiz cards, posters, and creative frameworks that empower children to explore and challenge gender stereotypes by developing their own anti-Fairytale stories.
