I am an author and academic specialising in the role and limitations of empathy and emotions in security, international affairs, politics, leadership, and society. My first book ‘Empathy in Politics and Leadership: The Key to Transforming our World’ was published by Yale University Press in 2025, and was recommended reading in the Munich Security Conference report 2026.
In September 2023, I became a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Future Defence and National Security with Deakin University, and moved to Canberra in early 2024. This follows two years in Denmark where I was working as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow in the Center for War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense. In this role, I led a project on Empathy and International Security (EIS), funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Fund.
Bridging academia and policy-making, my research explores how a better understanding of the power and potential of empathy and emotions can shape strategy and policy, and transform how we think about security, leadership, and politics.
OUT NOW!
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What does compassion mean for international relations?
Delighted to be chairing a new working group with the Global Compassion Coalition exploring the role and value of compassion in international affairs. More to follow soon.
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Why Empathy is Important to Policy-Making (April 2023)
In April I was invited to speak at the brilliant Science and Beers in Odense Denmark. Focusing on policy-making, the talk was paired with a craft beer and live drawing of the core themes.
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New Article on Empathy and Strategy
In this new essay, published in December 2022, I set out existing approaches in strategy and argue we need to think more creatively and expansively about empathy’s role and how it can help address current and future challenges.
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Podcast: Empathy in Decision-Making, Analysis and OSINT
Earlier this year, I joined Harry Kemsley and Sean Corbett of Jane’s Intelligence twice to discuss how empathy can play a role in this field and take part in a fascinating dialogue with experts in the field.
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Diriger en temps de crise : L’empathie et la stratégie
Mon nouvel article (en français) sur l’empathie et la stratégie est en ligne sur Le Rubicon.
My new article (in French) is now online on Le Rubicon.
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Strategic Empathy and Leadership
In April 2024, I joined the Hangar 46 Team at the Australian Air ao Space Power Centre to discuss empathy and strategy, and what they mean for leadership and workplace culture.
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The broad Asia‑Pacific ambition for Britain under Labour (July 2024)
In my first article since arriving in Australia, I write for the Interpreter (published by the Lowy Institute) about wha the new Labour Government might mean for Australia and the wider region.
Contact me
If you would like to get in touch, you can reach me through my academic email address, or by using the form below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Email: claire.yorke@deakin.edu.au