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Swiss Young Academy SYA
Introducing Compassionate Science: how empathy and compassion is reshaping research
Scientific research has traditionally relied on objectivity, methodological rigor, and measurable outputs. Yet a growing body of scholarship recognises that these values need not come at the expense of relationships, ethical responsibility, and attentiveness to the people and communities that research aims to serve. “Compassionate Science” was developed to address this gap, and to encourage reflection on how compassion can be meaningfully embedded in research practice, whatever the discipline. We are delighted to announce the publication of our “Compassionate Science” report and the corresponding interview series, exploring how empathy and compassion shape research practice across disciplines.
The launch brings together two complementary components:
A report combining a synthesis of the academic literature on compassionate research with concrete examples and perspectives from early-career researchers.
A series of short video interviews with seven early-career researchers, who share in their own words how empathy and compassion shape their scientific practice.
What the report tells us
Drawing on a review of existing literature and nine illustrative case examples, the report shows that empathy and compassion are not abstract ideals, but practical tools that influence research design, relationships with participants, data interpretation, and knowledge translation. Across fields, integrating these dimensions strengthens trust, deepens understanding, improves collaboration, and enhances ethical reflexivity - without weakening scientific rigour.
Key insights:
Empathy and compassion shape all stages of research.
Compassion strengthens trust, reflexivity and relevance.
Participatory approaches redistribute power in research.
Emotional and ethical competencies matter across disciplines.
Institutional support is needed to sustain these practices.
The report is equally candid about the challenges ahead: empathy and compassion are not always clearly defined or measured, disciplinary norms vary widely, and institutional structures rarely reward relational or participatory work. Greater conceptual clarity, training and structural support are therefore needed to sustain compassionate research practices going forward.
Meet the researchers
In addition to the report, we are publishing a series of short video interviews with seven researchers who integrate compassion into their work, from participatory research addressing epistemic injustice, to compassionate neighbourhoods supporting people facing serious illness, to non-invasive methods in wildlife research. Featuring: Louise D'Eer (Ghent University), Stéphane Huber (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland HES-SO), Cherry-Ann Morgan (Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK), Paolo Martinelli (University of Lausanne), Miriam Zemanova (University of Fribourg), Sofia Savinelli (CHUV Lausanne), Shona Loong (Geneva Graduate Institute IHEID)
Trailer
We warmly invite you to read the report, watch the interviews, and share your own reflections on compassionate research within your networks. Together, we hope to stimulate a broader dialogue within the academic community and beyond on how compassion and empathy can strengthen the way we conduct and communicate research.