As we face global and diverse challenges such as AI integration, ageing populations, and increasing awareness of neurodiversity, universities are increasingly tasked with developing solutions that are not only innovative but resonate deeply on both a personal and societal level. At the forefront of this mission is the University of Galway’s Empathy Studio, part of the IdeasLab. This unique space emphasises empathy as a key driver in entrepreneurial education, allowing students, researchers, and professionals to develop a deep understanding of human experiences. By prioritising empathy, the Studio fosters inclusive innovations that tackle real-world challenges, and positions the University as a leader in socially responsible entrepreneurship. This is a unique example of how engagement principles can be synergised with an entrepreneurial vision in education.
Why Empathy-Driven Design Matters
Design thinking, as popularised by Tim Brown (2009), underscores the importance of empathy in understanding users' perspectives. By shifting from problem-solving to problem-framing (Buchanan, 2001), empathy allows designers to redefine issues from the user's viewpoint, leading to meaningful and impactful innovations. At the University of Galway’s Empathy Studio, this approach is not just theoretical but embedded in practice through the EntreComp EPIC framework, which measures and nurtures empathy as a tangible entrepreneurial skill.
Measuring Empathy with the EntreComp EPIC Framework
The EntreComp EPIC framework, which aligns with the ACEEU standards for "Education, Research and Third Mission Activities" and “Innovation and Impact," provides a structured approach to empathy development. It focuses on three core areas: Ideas and Opportunities, Resources, and Into Action. Participants begin by learning to recognise and understand the emotions of others, progressing to deeper applications such as emotional immersion and active listening. This progression ensures empathy is developed systematically and is applied in the innovation process.
The framework’s integration into the Empathy Studio enables participants to track their empathy development throughout projects. For example, in a collaboration with industry partners including Medtronic, Diligent and LibertyIT, students might initially engage with surface-level user needs. However, as they advance through the EPIC stages, immersive simulations allow them to experience these challenges firsthand, resulting in solutions that are not only functional but deeply informed by empathy.
In October 2024, we explored the challenges that the workforce of 2060 might face, recognizing that approximately 20% of the future workforce will be over 60-years-old. To simulate age-related changes, we altered participants' hearing, vision, and mobility to reflect common age-related limitations. This immersive experience involved two distinct groups: a global industry leadership team and a group of school-aged teenagers from Galway City (14-16). Both groups were asked to complete some everyday tasks. These tasks highlighted specific areas where our environment could be made more accessible and user-friendly. Based on these insights, both groups left with a deeper understanding of the future workplace by literally 'walking in the shoes' of an ageing workforce. This experience highlighted the importance of empathy-driven design as a powerful tool for enhancing inclusivity across industries and education, ensuring that environments and solutions are more accessible to everyone.
Practical Implications for University Leaders
The Empathy Studio’s approach offers clear practical implications for higher education institutions looking to enhance their entrepreneurial strategies with a deep engagement component. By incorporating empathy as a core entrepreneurial competence, universities can create more inclusive, human-centred innovations that are co-designed with multiple external stakeholders. University leaders should consider integrating empathy-focused initiatives like immersive simulations and real-world collaborations into their entrepreneurship curricula. This not only improves student outcomes but also aligns with ACEEU’s focus on fostering a culture of engagement and innovation within universities.
Real-World Impact and Collaboration
One of the most powerful aspects of the Empathy Studio is its emphasis on real-world applications. With a strong development of external engagement, the focus is to partner with industry leaders, allowing students to work on projects that address societal challenges, such as health-tech solutions for elderly populations. These projects are not just exercises in design; they have real-world impact, ensuring that students’ empathy-driven innovations are both socially responsible and commercially viable. Research shows that empathy-driven design is more likely to succeed in addressing the needs of marginalised groups (Kouprie & Visser, 2009).
Preparing for the Future of Work
As universities look to prepare students for the future of work, empathy will be an essential skill. The ability to collaborate, lead, and innovate with empathy is critical in addressing challenges such as AI reliance and neurodiversity. The Empathy Studio, through the EntreComp EPIC framework, equips students with these skills, ensuring they are ready for the complexities of tomorrow’s workplace.
Continuous Reflection and Growth
A key strength of the Empathy Studio is its commitment to continuous improvement, in line with the ACEEU standard for "Continuous Improvement." Drawing on Schön’s (1983) concept of the "reflective practitioner," participants are encouraged to reflect on their empathy progression and how it influences their designs. This ensures that empathy remains a central focus throughout their journey, continuously refining and improving both their skills and their solutions.
Conclusion
The Empathy Studio at the University of Galway is a forward-thinking space that transforms how participants approach design thinking. By embedding empathy into the core of entrepreneurial education and using the structured EntreComp EPIC framework, the Studio ensures that students and professionals develop empathy as a measurable skill. This approach not only prepares participants for the future of work but also ensures that the solutions they create are socially responsible and impactful. For universities aiming to foster entrepreneurship, empathy-driven design offers a transformative approach to innovation.
Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Creates New Alternatives for Business and Society. Harper Business.
Buchanan, R. (2001). Design research and the new learning. Design Issues, 17(4), 3-23.
Kouprie, M., & Visser, F. S. (2009). A framework for empathy in design: Stepping into and out of the user’s life. Journal of Engineering Design, 20(5), 437-448.
Schön, D. A. (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books.
Williams, M. (2022). Empathic Entrepreneurial Engineering: The Missing Ingredient. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Image Credits: Natalie Walsh