Written by Dr. Maya Ackerman
March 26, 2023
At first glance, it may appear that research is solely a left-brained pursuit. One might envision a scientist wearing a lab coat, analyzing fact after fact, and suddenly stumbling upon a groundbreaking discovery and exclaiming, "Eureka!" This couldn't be further from the truth.
Real research, particularly research with significant impact, is much more intricate. Whether in the sciences or humanities, finding fruitful research directions and engaging in scientific inquiry that makes a difference necessitates the involvement of the entire person. This includes bringing in one's life experiences and unique perspectives, opening oneself up to intuition (or "instinct," if preferred), tapping into the subconscious, and a healthy dose of empathy.
But what does empathy have to do with innovation? Empathy is critical for both motivating and guiding discovery. In industry, empathy is increasingly recognized as essential for product development. To build something that people love, one must have a deep understanding of their needs, desires, and experiences.
Empathy is particularly vital for research that strives to make a positive impact in the world. Many problems, such as climate change and bias in venture capital, are intrinsically linked to empathy. Our desire to tackle problems that affect the lives of others, whether they are our neighbors, those living in faraway lands, or future generations, is driven by our connection to others. However, empathy is not solely relevant during the idea phase. It is an integral aspect of the entire research process, ensuring that research is conducted accurately, sensitively, and, ultimately, in a way that makes a positive impact while minimizing any potential harm.
For the past four years, I have been researching gender and racial bias in venture capital. My personal experiences with fundraising served as the foundation for my understanding, enabling me to approach the problem from novel perspectives and make discoveries that shed light on venture funding in a new way. Additionally, conversations with people whose experiences differ from mine were critical in approaching the topic with empathy and understanding for individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
In conclusion, impactful research is not the mechanical process it may appear to be. Rather, it is a deeply human endeavor that requires the integration of all aspects of the researcher's being, including their experiences, intuition, and connections with others and the world around them. Empathy, in particular, plays a critical role in the research process by enabling researchers to develop deeper insight into the problem at hand. By cultivating empathy in research practices, we can create a more inclusive and equitable research culture that recognizes the complexity of the problems we seek to solve and the diverse perspectives that are essential to finding innovative solutions. Ultimately, research that is grounded in empathy has the potential to transform society by addressing the most pressing issues facing our world with compassion and understanding.
Professor Maya Ackerman is a leading expert on Artificial Intelligence and Computational Creativity, with unique insight into the commercialization of cutting-edge research on human-AI creative collaboration. Her research has earned awards from the Association for Computational Creativity, US Office of Naval Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and many more. Ackerman is CEO/Co-founder of WaveAI, today’s most advanced musical AI startup.