VIRTUAL: Learning. Life. Work.

Abstract

Recent advances in somatic psychology research indicate a significant oversight in understanding the experiential aspect, epistemological integration, and methodological application of embodied empathy in the context of creative practices. To address this gap, the current study seeks to explore the concept of embodied empathy within architectural humanities. Through an in-depth, collaborative, and transdisciplinary approach, the research aims to unfold the shared event of empathy in the dynamic relationship between the researcher, research participant, and user of architectural space. The qualitative research method employed is embodied narrative inquiry, which involves conducting interviews to gather personal stories from the research participants. By framing the research question as both the subject of an individual’s lived experience and an active methodological process, the study analyzes and categorizes empathic findings, identifying patterns of embodied meaning-making or themes within the collected data. The ensuing discussion explores the theoretical and practical implications of these themes, highlighting the development of co-embodied empathy as an independent epistemic category within the interconnected realms of somatic psychology and architectural humanities. This research intends to shed light on the vital role of embodied empathy in understanding and enriching human experiences within educational cosmologies operating in these disciplines.