Preserving Holodomor history through education

University of Alberta

Mixed format

Education and learning

Filming

Interviews

Scriptwriting

Editing

Motion graphics

Music/Sound

Graphic design

Instructional design

Sandbox partnered with the Holodomor Research & Education Consortium (HREC) and the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) at the University of Alberta to develop a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) examining the Holodomor, the man-made famine that devastated Soviet Ukraine in 1932–1933. Designed for a global audience, the course introduces learners to the historical causes, lived experiences, and enduring legacy of the Holodomor through immersive, video-led instruction. Built for delivery on the Coursera platform, the course balances academic rigor with accessible storytelling to support large-scale public education.

Sandbox led the instructional design and content adaptation for a fourteen-module course totalling approximately 12-14 hours of learning time. Working with more than ten subject matter experts, the team transformed original academic scripts and research materials into modular lessons suited for a general audience. Modules combine focused videos with reflection prompts, and knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts and support critical thinking. In close collaboration with subject matter experts from the University of Alberta, Sandbox developed the course map, learning objectives, and assessment strategy, ensuring alignment with the university’s standards and Coursera’s instructional framework. The resulting structure supports self-paced learning while maintaining academic integrity and coherence across the thirteen-module course.

Design and Historical Integrity

Sandbox designed a cohesive visual and narrative system to support clarity and engagement across the course, developing a consistent set of templates and layouts to present complex material clearly and reduce cognitive load. The videos were designed to feel dynamic and narrative-driven, featuring a studio-filmed moderator who guides learners through archival photographs, historical footage, custom animations, data visualizations, and interactive maps. This approach allows for visual storytelling without relying on traditional lecture formats. To ground the course in lived experience, Sandbox integrated survivor interviews and testimonies, historical records, and period media, carefully selecting and contextualizing these materials to illustrate the human impact of the Holodomor alongside its political and historical dimensions. The production process emphasized archival logging, citation management, and collaborative review cycles to ensure sensitivity and scholarly credibility, supporting critical engagement with the difficult themes of famine, repression, memory, and genocide studies for a global audience.

Mini Doc

In addition to the MOOC, Sandbox produced a short historical documentary designed to support the 90th anniversary commemoration of the Holodomor. The 12-minute film brings together content drawn from five interviews with prominent historians, academics and authors, alongside archival and historical material, to create a visually compelling narrative suited for a general public audience. We also developed two shorter trailers to extend the reach of the film and support awareness-building efforts. The short documentary was created to complement public relations initiatives led by the University of Alberta’s communications partners, while also serving as a powerful entry point to the broader MOOC. The film provides a concise, impactful introduction to the subject matter, helping draw attention to the course and expand public understanding of the Holodomor.

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