Mission of the Lab
Mission of the Lab
Embedded Files
Radical Empathy in Action
At the REAL Lab, we are dedicated to embodying empathy in action. For us, this means integrating intention with impact, fostering authentic community engagement, and recognizing communities as partners rather than recipients. Through participatory action research, we strive to cultivate radical empathy and competent humility, recognizing these as essential "power skills" for effective engagement.
As members of this lab, we continually reflect on our identities and roles, preparing ourselves and others in the information profession for this critical work. We understand empathy as a skill that can be developed and sustained over time, and we are committed to advancing social justice and advocacy through our actions.
Storytelling is central to our approach, as we recognize its power to amplify voices and drive meaningful change. In all that we do, we are driven by a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and the empowerment of all communities.
Current Areas of Focus
Current Areas of Focus
Augusta Baker Endowed Chair Advocacy and Programming
Augusta Baker Endowed Chair Advocacy and Programming
Virtual Reality Perspective Taking (VRPT)
Virtual Reality Perspective Taking (VRPT)
Augusta Baker was one of the first Black librarians in a leadership role in a major city’s library system, and she also held leadership positions with the American Library Association. These responsibilities gave her incredible visibility and took her throughout the country.
Her work, storytelling, and advocacy became resources for libraries, schools and educators across the country. As her influence grew, she traveled extensively to talk to organizations about how to develop collections that better reflected the children they served.
The Baker Chair at UofSC works to extend and promote the legacy of Baker's empathetic leadership.
Perspective taking allows individuals to understand others' realities, improving mental flexibility and empathy. VR offers innovative ways to explore new perspectives, potentially enhancing empathy.
Trauma-informed librarianship
Trauma-informed librarianship
Striving towards Anti-Racism, or becoming a STAR
Striving towards Anti-Racism, or becoming a STAR
A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the pervasiveness of trauma across human lives (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2014) including across the lives of both library staff and patrons. It also conveys responsibility to broader systems and institutions for protecting against trauma and re-traumatization.
Cooke, Williams, Harris, and Kendrick contribute to the University of South Carolina's School of Information Science (iSchool) social work-focused track within its Certificate in Specialized Study in Information Science that includes Trauma-Informed Librarianship courses, preparing library professionals to create more inclusive and healing library environments.
A model developed by Cooke and Williams (forthcoming), based on the Competent Humility Model (Cooke, 2025). The model encourages self-reflection on anti-racism and making everyday decisions to address racism and advocate for a more just future.
Empathy Informed Pedagogy
Empathy Informed Pedagogy
Battling Burnout in an Age of Chaos
Battling Burnout in an Age of Chaos
Drs. Cooke and Johnson are the principal investigators of the IMLS funded Building Radical Empathy project, with the goal of preparing archive professionals to apply radical empathy to archives and special collections that more accurately inform the future of social justice movements around the world and elevate the role of archivists and special collections librarians in these movements.
Drs. Ogden and Williams apply the PERMA(H+) wellbeing framework to explore how public library staff can build resilience and sustain their practice, even in challenging conditions. Addressing burnout requires a trauma-informed approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma on both staff and patrons (SAMHSA, 2014). Such an approach emphasizes institutional responsibility to prevent retraumatization while fostering cultures of safety, trust, transparency, collaboration, empowerment, and acknowledgment of historic traumas. In this context, the PERMA framework complements trauma-informed practice by enhancing individual wellbeing while honoring the influence of past experiences on one’s ability to thrive.
Questions?
Questions?
Contact theradicalempathylab@gmail.com to get more information on the Lab.
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