From Conflict to Empathy and Social Change
Social issues often polarize us, making us perceive others as "the other." Sharing opinions and political views on topics such as gender, migration, climate change, or loneliness only deepens this divide. That is why, in my workshops and projects, I facilitate reflections where participants share experiences and emotions. This creates space for dialogue instead of conflict. I focus on what connects us: where do we recognize ourselves in each other, and what insights do we gain about apparent oppositions? Often, our experiences and emotions align more than expected, leading to empathy for both ourselves and others.

I work in an issue-based way, meaning I use art and education to explore and address urgent social themes. My methodology is built on two key methods. The first is reflection and sharing personal stories. Personal stories have a transformative power: they evoke recognition, empathy, and insight. Rather than focusing on opinions and political stances, my approach centers on emotions and experiences, making identity-based questions personal and tangible—free from abstract or polarizing discussions. The second essential method is embodied learning, where I work through physical experience and engagement. We do not only think or talk about a theme; we also physically and emotionally experience it. I achieve this through creating theater, interviewing each other, and interactive exercises. These methods makes complex and sensitive topics more accessible and relatable.

In my education and projects, participants experience that their perspectives are not fixed but shaped by personal circumstances and societal structures. This realization creates space for empathy and new insights. By sharing stories and listening to each other, social change emerges—my ultimate goal.

My Methodology: Theater of Living Stories
More about my vision and practice can be found in Theater of Living Stories, my research on how reflection on personal narratives and embodied learning contribute to social change. In this study, the participatory project I developed during my Master’s in Issue-Based Art Education (2024) serves as a case study. This project, realized in post-conflict Belfast, involved forty men reflecting on masculinity and nationalism.

Over the past years, I have developed numerous arts education and participatory projects. Under the Projects section, you can find a selection of my work. Social issues I have researched in my practice include loneliness, poverty, gender, sexuality, heritage, integration, nationalism, queerness, and climate change.