Empathy Interventions and Sustainability
The Project
Water is central to our lives but is increasingly in crisis because of climate change, biodiversity loss, and outdated management practices. To address these challenges now and in the future, we need to shift how we think about water and how it is governed. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is strongly linked with openness to new ideas and pro-environmental behaviours. People with higher empathy tend to care more about water and the environment, and are more willing to support changes that protect the planet for future generations. The purpose of this study is to identify and develop interventions that increase empathy toward water and its users, as well as toward the environment more broadly.
The Experience
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: an educational group, an immersive story group, a combination group, or an active control group.
The Educational Group read a piece about a) empathy and b) a brief overview of flooding and its effects.
The Immersive Group completed a choose-your-own-adventure style story where they experienced what it would be like to face a sudden, devastating flood in their hometown.
The Combination Group completed the educational readings followed by the immersive story.
Finally, the Control Group read a benign educational piece about the differences among the five Great Lakes.
The Findings
This study is still in progress! Check back in October 2025
The Team
This project brings together researchers, students, and community partners who share a commitment to building empathy for sustainability.
At Brock University, the core team includes Drs. Julia Baird (Principle Investigator), Gary Pickering, Jessica Blythe, and Gillian Dale, along with PhD candidate Hannah Lübker and Master’s student Zaara Momin.
We also collaborate with Dr. Elson Galang (McGill/Dalhousie) and Dr. Evalyna Bogden (York University), who bring additional expertise and perspective.
Our community partners including Corey Burant (Niagara Parks), Simon Mitchell (Sustainability Practitioner), and the Town of Lincoln. Together, this diverse group blends academic research, practical experience, and community insight to advance our goals.