A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Empathy in Physics Faculty

Abstract

Physics, like many scientific disciplines, has long struggled with attracting and retaining a diverse population and fostering inclusivity. While there have been improvements in addressing equity issues within physics, significant challenges remain. Faculty members play a crucial role as change agents in promoting cultural transformation within academic environments. Empathy, a fundamental component of effective teaching, mentoring, and collegiality, is essential for fostering a student-centered and holistic approach in academia. However, understanding how empathy functions within the specific context of physics, including its interaction with power dynamics and other contextual factors, remains underexplored.This study presents a theoretical model of empathy development among physics faculty as they engage with students and colleagues. Conducted at a private R2 institution, the study involved four rounds of interviews from summer 2023 to spring 2024. The initial two rounds (summer 2023) included eight participants, followed by 19 participants in fall 2023, and nine participants chose to follow up with us in spring 2024. All participants were physics faculty members, either in teaching or tenure-track positions. The developed model builds on previous research by introducing new complexities in the understanding of empathy. It identifies key mediators, including reflective witnessing, personal experiences, and empathetic concern, as well as moderators such as individual experience, emotions, motivation, values, and situational information. The model delineates both cognitive and affective pathways of empathy, providing a nuanced framework for understanding how empathy develops and influences faculty interactions in the physics discipline.