Kinesthetic Empathy in Creative and Cultural Practices

A key interdisciplinary concept in our understanding of social interaction across creative and cultural practices, kinesthetic empathy describes the ability to experience empathy merely by observing the movements of another human being. Encouraging readers to sidestep the methodological and disciplinary boundaries associated with the arts and sciences, Kinesthetic Empathy in Creative and Cultural Practices offers innovative and critical perspectives on topics ranging from art to sport, film to physical therapy.

Dee Reynolds is professor of French at the University of Manchester and the author of, among other books, Rhythmic Subjects: Uses of Energy in the Dances of Mary Wigman, Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham.

Matthew Reason is professor of theater and director of the Institute for Social Justice at York St John University, UK. He was the principal investigator on I’m Me (2023–2025), a creative inclusive research project working with learning disability arts organizations across the UK.