A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sharmila Roy, and Conference Chair, Dr. Marcelo Staricoff for their inspiring leadership, and to our extraordinary keynote speakers:

🌟 Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex

🌟 Edwin Rutsch, Founder, Empathy Centre, California

Your insights set the tone for a truly transformative weekend at the 7th Global Empathy Conference.

We’re also deeply grateful to all the incredible speakers, who generously shared their time, expertise, research, case studies, poetry, workshops, and creative writing at the 7th Global Empathy Conference! Your contributions continue to fuel our mission of empathy in action across education, research, and community engagement.

Your contributions reflect the deep passion and commitment of our guest speakers, volunteers, and students and from the feedback we’ve received, this year’s GEC has been a resounding success. Together, we’ve sparked powerful conversations and built meaningful connections across continents.

We’re excited to announce that the 8th Global Empathy Conference is heading to the UK in 2026 🎉yay! We look forward to continuing our mission to amplify empathy driven education, human connections and grow our global community. 🌍✨

Here’s are a few recordings, special gifts from the team GEC for you to watch, reflect, and be inspired. 🌍✨

DAY ONE: 7th Global Empathy Conference:

Welcome to the Country, a message from the Student Ambassador, Opening Message from Dr Sharmila Roy, Convenor,7th Global Empathy Conference. A Welcome Message from Dr Marcelo Staricoff, the Chair of the 7th GEC, University of Sussex, UK.

A Poetry Panel: A Round Robin, based on the format of musicians who gather in a “circle” and take turns singing, or in this case, reading. Panelists: Award winning Poets: Chair: H. W. Bryce (Canada), Nancy Ndeke (Kenya), Jude Neale (Canada) George Colburn (USA).

Followed by A Panel Discussion : Empathy in Action

Participants from the University of California, University of Sussex & Monash University, (Australia)

DAY TWO: Session One

Virtual School Australia, A Celebration

Welcome to the Country by Ruby - Student Ambassador

Welcome messages from Sharmila Roy & Marcelo Staricoff

Poems by Nancy Ndeke

First Keynote Speaker: Professor Robin Banerjee is a professor of developmental psychology and the inaugural Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement at the University of Sussex. Formerly Head of the School of Psychology, his research focuses on the social and emotional development of young people, and he works closely with practitioners and policymakers in the areas of education and mental health. He founded the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, an interdisciplinary research centre focused on illuminating the nature of kindness and its impacts on people and communities. Professor Banerjee recently led The Kindness Test, a partnership with the BBC that became the world’s largest ever public science project on kindness. He is an expert advisor to EmpathyLab, an organisation that works with schools, libraries, and other community stakeholders to promote empathy and reading for pleasure through the power of children’s books.

Abstract: “Empathy and kindness in context: Understanding relationships, mental health, and wellbeing in schools”

In this session, Professor Robin Banerjee will share research findings regarding the social and emotional development of children and young people at school, and consider the implications of his work on empathy and kindness for promoting positive relationships, mental health, and wellbeing across the whole school community.

Second Keynote Speaker: Edwin Rutsch is the Founding Director of The Empathy Center in Santa Barbara, California. He has worked for over 15 years on building a more mutually empathic world. Edwin is the developer and champion of the Empathy Circle process based on active listening.

Abstract:

Edwin Rutsch will introduce the Empathy Circle process. An Empathy Circle is a structured dialogue process based on active listening that effectively supports meaningful and constructive dialogue. The basic process can be fairly easily learned in about 15 minutes and it is a lifelong practice to deepen. An Empathy Circle increases mutual understanding and connection by ensuring that each person feels fully heard to their satisfaction. The practice is the most effective gateway practice for learning, practicing and deepening listening and empathy skills, as well as, nurturing an empathic way of being.

The Empathy Effect:

Dr. Nicole Ofiesh and Kara Matejka talk about their work prioritising empathy and perspective shifting for individualised instruction to support brain-based learning. Through stories about their experiences in individual private practice (educational therapy and cognitive therapy, respectively) and now through Brain Explained*, they share how their aforementioned practice of utilising empathy leads to brain-based learning, which is known to have a positive impact on individual learners throughout the lifespan. Key points that Dr. Nicole Ofiesh and Kara Matejka present are when individuals gain an understanding of how best they learn, they are able to navigate barriers and capitalise on their strengths; empathy should function as the guide to supporting who were once called nontraditional learners but now make up the majority of learners; adapting new ways of thinking and broadening our perspective about learning contributes to a foundational shift of brain-based learning.

*Rooted in a combination of neuroscience, psychology, wellness, culture and context, learning studies and evidence-based insights, Dr. Ofiesh Co-Founded Brain Explained, which utilises an interactive platform to help bridge a key gap in our current institutional landscape, especially for marginalised students.

The Role of Empathy in the Math Classes

Beth Powell loves working with students who hate math! She is passionate about finding the approach that allows students to understand math and gain confidence as a math student. Beth has worked in math education for 25 years. She received her BA in Math at SJSU, where she tutored math in programs that helped first generation college students successfully complete STEM majors. While getting her masters in Transformative Leadership, she focused on math education and the assumptions underlying how we teach math.

As a learning specialist, Beth is trained in a variety of multisensory programs. She has taught graduate courses at UCSC Extension for the Educational Therapy Department. She was a director at The Reading Clinic where she had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students in reading, comprehension, expression, writing, and math. Her decades of experience have led her to develop a cognitively guided, relationship based approach to learning.

ABSTRACT: The Role of Empathy in Math Class; "We teach people, not content" (Allen, 2002) ; focusing on social norms to foster a culture in math class that prioritizes solving problems in multiple ways in order to listen to and respond to people who think differently from you. Two stories - one about a fifth grade class where students were explicitly taught how to listen to other perspectives. Second story is about me, how I learned math successfully in a traditional manner, developed the empathetic ability to value other viewpoints, and the bumps along the way.

Beth Powell loves working with students who hate math! She is passionate about finding the approach that allows students to understand math and gain confidence as a math student. Beth has worked in math education for 25 years. She received her BA in Math at SJSU, where she tutored math in programs that helped first generation college students successfully complete STEM majors. While getting her masters in Transformative Leadership, she focused on math education and the assumptions underlying how we teach math.

As a learning specialist, Beth is trained in a variety of multisensory programs. She has taught graduate courses at UCSC Extension for the Educational Therapy Department. She was a director at The Reading Clinic where she had the opportunity to work with hundreds of students in reading, comprehension, expression, writing, and math. Her decades of experience have led her to develop a cognitively guided, relationship based approach to learning.

ABSTRACT: The Role of Empathy in Math Class; "We teach people, not content" (Allen, 2002) ; focusing on social norms to foster a culture in math class that prioritizes solving problems in multiple ways in order to listen to and respond to people who think differently from you. Two stories - one about a fifth grade class where students were explicitly taught how to listen to other perspectives. Second story is about me, how I learned math successfully in a traditional manner, developed the empathetic ability to value other viewpoints, and the bumps along the way.

Download the 2025 GEC Program

Empathy in Action: Understanding, Learning, and Evolving Together

Welcome to the 7th Global Empathy Conference—where science meets humanity, and understanding becomes transformation. This year’s theme, Empathy, takes center stage as we explore how it shapes learning, healing, and the future of our global communities.

🎥 Meet the Speakers — Watch the Preview Videos
Short, powerful introductions from our presenters are now available!

Conference Speaker: Callie Turk, Co-Founder, REEL (Resilience and Engagement for Every Learner)

REEL, is a Silicon Valley nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between families and educators of neurodivergent and twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in educational technology and professional learning, Callie brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work in inclusive education. She holds an MBA from Stanford University, a BS from Miami University (Ohio), and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Cognitive Diversity in Education at the Bridges Graduate School. A published writer in Parenting for High Potential and 2eNews, Callie has presented nationally at conferences such as CEC and CUNY’s Neurodiversity Conference. She is also the proud parent of three college-aged young adults, one of whom is neurodivergent.

🧠 Session Title: Walking in Their Shoes – Building Empathy Through Simulation

“There’s nothing like walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” Through REEL’s Neurodiversity Simulation Experience, educators are given the opportunity to do just that. In this interactive session, Callie shares the powerful impact of REEL’s hands-on workshops, held in K–12 schools and teacher education programs across the San Francisco Bay Area. These simulations allow participants to briefly step into the world of students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dysgraphia, sensory, and auditory processing challenges.

Educators frequently report transformative "aha" moments—gaining a deeper understanding of the daily realities and hidden strengths of neurodivergent learners. The workshop also includes a guided discussion to reflect on the experience and encourage creative strategies for inclusive teaching. Participants will leave with both inspiration and practical tools for bringing empathy-driven simulations to their own communities—fostering a culture of understanding, curiosity, and support for all learners.

Meet 2025 GEC Speakers — Dr. Nicole Ofiesh & Kara Matejka

🔷 Featured Presentation: Dr. Nicole Ofiesh & Kara Matejka

Session Title: The Empathy Effect: Shaping Lifelong Learning Through Neuroscience and Design

Join Dr. Nicole Ofiesh, cognitive behavioral scientist and co-founder of Brain Explained, and Kara Matejka, educational therapist and DEI researcher, as they share powerful stories from their private practice and research. Together, they explore how empathy and perspective-shifting can unlock individualized, brain-based learning—especially for those often overlooked by traditional education systems.

🎥 Edwin Rutsch & Janna Weiss – Short Teaser for Empathy Circle at the 7th Global Empathy Conference 2025

All attendees registered via Eventbrite will receive access to the conference recordings after the event.

To Register visit: https://7thGEC.eventbrite.com.au

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO

THE CHARLES UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF ARTS, PRAGUE

On behalf of the 2024 Global Empathy Conference, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Charles University, Prague, admin and Tech team for your exceptional support and hospitality during our recent conference. The smooth running of the conference was a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the Charles University staff. We truly appreciate all the hard work and meticulous attention to detail, which contributed significantly to the success of our gathering. Please convey our sincere thanks to everyone involved. Thank you once again for playing such a crucial role in making 6th Global Empathy Conference in Prague a memorable one.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the speakers who contributed to the success of the 2024 Global Empathy Conference. For those who may have missed any sessions, we are pleased to announce that recordings of key presentations will be made available on this platform. Please continue to check this space for updates.

Additionally, we are delighted to inform the Elaine Hobson entrants that your contributions will be featured in the June edition of our Virtual School Australia Newsletter. Thank you for your valuable participation and continued engagement.

The 6th Global Empathy Conference commenced with a "Welcome to the Country" address delivered by student ambassador Ruby Hand. This was followed by a welcome message from Taryn Hand, Ruby's mother, who is both a parent and an educator from Queensland, Australia, often referred to as the Sunshine State.

An Opening Speech by the Conference Chair, Dr Sharmila Roy, PhD

A Message from the 2024 Prague GEC Conference Convenor, Mrs Madhumita Basu

First Keynote Speaker: Dr Marcelo Staricoff, PhD, University of Sussex, UK

Prof R Banerjee's Keynote Speech.

Below is a Panel Discussion (Participants: the students from the University of California at Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension and the students from the University of Sussex discuss Empathy in current life, in current studies, and in future times.)

Moderators: Dr Sharmila Roy Virtually from the University of California at Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension

Dr Marcelo Staricoff, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK

Edwin Rutsch (Active Listening Intro) on Empathy Circle

ELAINE HOBSON LITERARY FESTIVAL

1. “Luka Chipi”, First Place

Parthivi Kapur, Year 10

Sardar Patel Vidyalaya

New Delhi, India

2. “In seeing the invisible” - Second Place

Parth Vohra, Year 10

Hill Spring International School

Mumbai, India

3. “Keys of connection- Third Place

Annika Jain, Year 10

Oberoi International School

Mumbai, India

Captured:- A Snapshot from the Stolen Generation, Australia

Ruby Hand

Trinity Lutheran College

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Interested to join us next year, if yes let us know.

Write to admin@virtualschoolaustralia.com.au

More recordings will be added soon.

Virtual School Australia is a leading platform dedicated to fostering global empathy and empowering individuals through education and innovative conferences. The mission is to inspire positive change and create a more empathetic world, through the Global Empathy Conferences. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Virtual School Australia has been at the forefront of offering transformative Global Empathy Conferences annually. Drawing from the success of past editions held in London, Adelaide, Seoul, and Prague which attracted a diverse and enthusiastic global audience.

This prestigious event aims to bring together a diverse audience, including esteemed researchers, academics, writers, classroom teachers and students from around the world. The theme of "Empathy in Action" underscores the conference's mission to share invaluable insights, exemplary practices, and groundbreaking research in the field of empathy in action.

International Collaboration: A notable collaboration between the University of California Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Department of Education and the Department of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex showcased the intersection of empathy across different cultural contexts. Students from two continents shared their experiences and insights, highlighting the universal relevance of empathy in shaping lives.

Moderators: Dr Sharmila Roy & Dr Marcelo Staricoff.

6th GLOBAL EMPATHY CONFERENCE, PRAGUE

In our ever-evolving world, the urgency to teach empathy more explicitly than ever before cannot be overstated. In response to this pressing need, we are meticulously organising the 2024 Global Empathy Conference. Our primary goal is to bring together a distinguished assembly of international speakers, educators, and medical professionals who will generously share their extensive experiences, pioneering research, and exemplary practices. Furthermore, we intend to bridge the gap between neuroscience and empathy practices, exploring the profound connections between these two fields.

Join us in Prague and immerse in this conversation.

Programme Highlights - Keynote Speech, Panel Discussions, Case Studies and Presentations

Keynote Speakers: Renowned Professor Robin Banerjee will share his latest research findings on the social and emotional development of children and young people in educational settings. His insights will delve into the profound impact of empathy and kindness on fostering positive relationships, enhancing mental health, and promoting overall well-being within school communities. Additionally, Dr. Marcelo Staricoff, author of "The Joy of Not Knowing," will explore the principles and philosophies that form the foundation of the Joy of Not Knowing approach to education. Dr. Staricoff will highlight how empathy can champion the cause for every individual, contributing to a more compassionate and inclusive educational landscape.

2024 GEC Committee Members: Dr Sharmila Roy (Chair, USA), Dr Marcelo Staricoff (UK), Madhumita Basu (CZEC), Kenan Dzananovic (CZEC)Neena Mathew (IND), Alicja Kuberska (POL) Bozena Helena Mazur-Nowak (UK) Rajashree Imandi (UG) Paramita Roy (AUS).

Excitement fills the air as our Conference Committee extends a warm welcome to all speakers and delegates joining us for the 2024 Empathy Conference! Get ready to immerse yourself in the transformative power of empathy in action. Watch their captivating welcome videos and prepare to be fully engaged in the dynamic and insightful discussions awaiting you in Prague. Let's ignite the spark of empathy together! #GlobalEmpathyConference #EmpathyInAction #2024PragueConference.

2022 GLOBAL EMPATHY CONFERENCE, LONDON

Empathy creates peace.

Can Empathy heal?

Discover the Power of Empathy

How do we teach Empathy?

2023 GLOBAL EMPATHY CONFERENCE SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA (A HYBRID EVENT) PRESENTATIONS:

2023 Global Empathy Conference was a collaborative initiative involving educators, school leaders, and organisations at all levels. This conference was designed to share and celebrate ideas, stories of EMPATHY IN ACTION and how ’EMPATHY’ can be integrated in the School Curriculum through the application of Project and Problem Based Learning.