Click here to download: OnTeachingEmpathy.pdfOn teaching empathy, Sue Thomas
In her essay, On Teaching Empathy, Sue Thomas from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, introduces the importance of empathy in design for sustainability and gives ideas for encouraging students' empathy in the design process. Thomas writes, "If we are to engage our students in preparing themselves to work ethically in our industry, they need to be able to personally and professionally empathise.
This teaching activity has been taken from Parker, L. and Dickson, M.A. (2009) Sustainable Fashion: A Handbook for Educators, Bristol: Labour Behind the Label. Download the whole publication here.
| 1. Level | Pre 16, FE, UG, PG |
| 2. Pre-requisite knowledge required by educators | B. General knowledge of the textiles and garment industry required |
| 3. Pre-requisite knowledge required by students | B. General knowledge of the textiles and garment industry required. |
| 4. Number of students | 10+ |
| 5. Length of time required | 45-60 minutes |
| 6. Type of activity | Group work, Interactive activities, Article, Discussion and debate |
| 7. Discipline | Business, Cross-curricular, Design, Marketing, Interactive |
| 8. Topics covered | Consumers, Empathy, Slow fashion, Working conditions |
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