In celebration of Global Empathy week, this Chat will look at how we can design our built environment with more empathy, and what this means in practical terms. At a time of divisive political rhetoric and huge disparities around the world, what role can a more empathetic approach to design play in bringing people together and in catering for diverse wants and needs? How can an inclusive design journey help build empathy within communities?
Our co-host for this Chat is Melissa Lacide, who has long been a champion of empathy, and will talk about how and why she has held this as a core principle in her work across roles at The Glass-House, within the housing sector and in her current role at the Quality of Life Foundation. Together we invite you to join us to explore the importance of empathy, what it means to all of us and what we can all do to better champion it through our actions.
About Glass-House Chats
Glass-House Chats are monthly hour-long online spaces for conversation and connection, to ask questions and explore ideas, approaches and methods, share learning and meet others.
Series 6 sees us collaborating with a range of inspiring people and organisations who will co-host sessions with us. Each guest co-host will help us bring focus, expertise and experience to conversations about different aspects of the design of places. From empathy to sustainability, we’ll unpick some of the successful ingredients of design and explore what great design can achieve.
About our Co-host
Melissa has worked as a participatory design and community engagement consultant, coordinator, and researcher within architecture, placemaking charities, and social housing across England. She champions social purpose to create equitable, healthy, and sustainable communities by amplifying diverse voices, building partnerships, and delivering impactful strategies, ensuring everyone can access, share, and learn.
How to Take Part
Glass-House Chats are open to anyone with an interest in the event topic. No specific experience or expertise is required to join the conversation. We believe that our Chats only benefit from a wide mix of voices, interests and experiences.
These free online events are kept intentionally small so that everyone taking part can jump in and join the conversation. Where possible, we encourage participants to keep their cameras and microphones on, to pose questions and ideas, and to share stories and links.
To create a safe space for open discussion, the Chatham House Rule is applied. Key discussion points are collated, anonymised and shared after each session.
How to Book
Glass-House Chats are free events, but places are limited, so please register only if you plan to attend.
Please note:
We will record the Chat session to help with capturing the conversation, but this recording will not be made publicly available or shared outside The Glass-House team. Following the event, we will publish a blog capturing key discussion points, but rest assured that no-one will be quoted directly, and no participants will be named. Please feel free to email us at info@theglasshouse.org.uk if you have any queries.
