Reading and empathy: enriching readers’ experiences and outcomes (19 May 2026)

This webinar focuses on the potential for reading to support young people’s empathy There is growing interest in the relationship between reading and empathy, specifically understanding whether, how, and for whom, book reading fosters empathy. This webinar explores the potentially enriching effects of books, and other texts, to support empathy. The speakers will provide examples of contemporary research studies to exemplify the relationship between fiction book reading and empathy, and provide book recommendations for secondary school pupils, to nurture empathy among adolescent readers. By the end of this webinar, you will: Have an expanded understanding of empathy, and the different ways in which books (and other texts) have the potential to support empathy. Feel more confident developing your reading provision and practice to support young people’s empathy. Have access to new reading, resources and techniques to support empathy skills development among young people.