Empathy in Interviews

25 February 15:00

The Difficult Research Support Network

The Difficult Research Support Network (DRSN) is a student-led community within the Social Sciences Division, launched last year to help researchers maximise the potential of their work while safeguarding their wellbeing.

 

Research interviews are often emotionally complex spaces. Researchers are asked to navigate care, power, and responsibility, while also meeting expectations around rigour and outcomes.

This workshop offers a gentle introduction to Non-Violent Communication (NVC) as a way of reflecting on empathy in interviews. Rather than treating empathy as a technique or skill, we’ll explore it as a relational and ethical practice.

 

Together, we’ll discuss:

  • What empathy can mean in research interviews beyond rapport or data quality
  • Noticing feelings, needs, and boundaries — in ourselves and in participants
  • Responding to difficult or unexpected moments with care
  • How to engage with NVC principles without using it as means to an end

This is not a workshop about extracting better interview data; it’s a caring space for shared reflection, honesty, and support around the emotional and relational realities of interview-based research, especially when the topics are difficult.

 

Join us to share perspectives, connect with peers, and shape a supportive research community across the Social Sciences!

 

Apply here from Thursday 15th January 2026

 

Find out more about the Difficult Research Support Network and other events click here

 

screenshot 2025 04 16 at 14 31 10

Please see our booking Terms and Conditions below

Researcher Development Terms and Conditions

In booking any training workshops, you agree that: 

 

COMMITMENT: application is not an expression of interest; it is a firm commitment. You will be available for the full duration of the course session(s); if you are not, please do not make a booking. You will not accept any subsequent meeting invitations that may fall during the given workshop times. 

PRE-WORK / HOMEWORK: if applicable, you will complete any given pre-work and/or homework as described on the workshop web listing, as it constitutes part of the workshop  

CANCELLATION: should your circumstances change, and you are not able to attend the full session(s). you will cancel giving at least 72-hours' notice, so we can offer the place to someone on the waiting list. 

ARRIVAL: you will join, or arrive at, the workshop 5 minutes before the advertised start time, to ensure a prompt start. 

LATE POLICY: you understand that the online room will be locked / workshop door will be closed 10 minutes after the event start time and late-comers will not be admitted. This is to preserve the integrity of the course for those who are present.  

ENGAGEMENT: you will give the session your undivided attention and engagement. You will not be able to do other tasks in parallel. If online, you will ensure that your environment and internet connection allow you to participate verbally and with video cameras on. These are interactive workshops, and it is not appropriate to attend from a silent or shared workspace. 

ATTENDANCE RECORD: you understand the Register will be taken in the last half-hour of the course, and anyone not present in the room at that point will be marked as non -attending (see below) 

FEEDBACK: you will contribute feedback afterwards, to help us understand how well the session met its intended aims, and facilitate our continuous improvement 

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-ATTENDANCE: you understand that any non-attendance  
a) is visible to departments and supervisors/PIs, and  
b) may result in any future bookings you’ve made within the same term being cancelled, and the place(s) offered to the waiting list.