Abstract
In an era marked by fragmentation, social polarization, and institutional distrust, building emotional and civic bridges has become not only desirable, but imperative. This paper explores The Empathy Museum—a mobile, participatory art project—as a case study in how artistic interventions can function as social infrastructure to address complex social issues in an interconnected world. The Empathy Museum invites participants to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes,” both literally and metaphorically, by physically wearing a pair of donated shoes while listening to recorded personal stories of the shoe’s owner. These stories—ranging from refugees, nurses, and factory workers to police officers and unhoused people—offer embodied encounters that challenge dominant narratives, generate affective proximity, and foster inclusive dialogue. Through a transdisciplinary lens that combines social innovation, feminist leadership theory, and educational methodologies, this paper examines how the museum builds collaborative networks between artists, educators, policy-makers, and marginalized communities. It also explores the role of women-led initiatives in shaping emotionally intelligent leadership and policies based on empathy, care, and narrative plurality. Ultimately, this contribution argues that participatory art can act not only as asymbolic expression, but as a collaborative civic technology, capable of repairing social trust and rehumanizing the public sphere.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Social Innovation, Public Policy, Transformational Leadership, Better World, Refugees, Vulnerability
