Imagining a More Empathetic Politics

Introduction: Dr Andrea Ellner, Lead, Society, Culture & Law Research Theme, Lecturer, Defence Studies Department, School of Security Studies

Chair: Dr Neville Bolt, Director, King's Centre for, Strategic Communications (KCSC), School of Security Studies, King’s College, London

Speaker: Dr Claire Yorke, recent Henry A. Kissinger Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale University

 

This event is part of an ongoing event series by the Society, Culture & Law Research Theme. 

Empathy is a central theme of the United States elections. Former Vice President and Democratic nominee Joe Biden has made it a central feature of his campaign, and the recent Republic National Convention repeatedly emphasised examples of President Trump’s empathy.

Outside of the US other countries have championed empathy’s importance. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, for example, has regularly cited it as central to her politics. Yet what does empathy mean for politics? Why is it so important? And how can it help heal divisions within societies and contribute to better, more citizen-centric and inclusive politics?

In this discussion, Dr Claire Yorke will outline the potential and challenges of empathy in politics in the current international political and social context, and will offer a vision for how empathy could contribute to a very different kind of politics.

Bio

Dr Claire Yorke is an author, researcher and policy advisor. She recently completed a two-year Henry A. Kissinger Postdoctoral Fellowship at Yale University. Her research and book projects explore the role and limitations of empathy and emotions in international affairs, diplomacy, leadership and policy-making. Alongside her research she lectures and teaches at university. She received her PhD in International Relations from the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, and has a Masters from the University of Exeter, and a BA from Lancaster University.

 

 

Please register via Zoom

This event will be live streamed and recorded.