Social · Research · Lab

People are complicated and we’re good at people.

We help businesses and organisations understand messy, human problems and create impact in an increasingly complex social world.

The Empathy Lab is a human-centred, social research and advisory firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We conduct bespoke social research and assessments to help understand complex human challenges and drive meaningful change.

We draw on internationally recognised expertise and a diverse network of academic and industry specialists to deliver scalable research, advisory, and knowledge transfer solutions.

Busy street scene with cars and pedestrians in Johannesburg, lined with buildings and shops.

What we do

  • Social licence to innovate, social performance and transition, facilitated by deep stakeholder and community engagement plans.

  • Social risk assessments, and mitigation including Social and Human Rights Impact and Risk Analysis (SHIRA) and  Social Consequence Matrices (SCM). 

  • Regulatory and compliance heritage assessments for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA) and Heritage Management Plans (HMP). 

  • Intelligence assessments, project monitoring and evaluation, underpinned by data-driven analysis and reporting.

Get in touch
Johannesburg city skyline with numerous high-rise buildings, the Hillbrow tower, lush greenery, and some flowering jacaranda trees, under a clear blue sky.

Our Values

Our mission is to be the bridge between organisations and the people they engage. We make sense of complicated human problems and transform evidence into clear action plans to empower our clients to achieve impact that matters.

Clarity

We bring technical precision and clear process to complex human challenges, making deep insights inclusive, understandable, and accessible to those who need them most.

Humanity

We embrace the complexity of the human experience, placing it at the heart of what we do. We are committed to accountability, ethical practice and genuine connection at every stage of the journey. The cornerstone of our work is collaboration.

Rigour

We care about change that matters. Our work is grounded in lived realities, deepening impact for organisations while enriching outcomes for communities. We turn research into intentional change and development. 

Contact us
A group of young people in white robes holding candles, singing, stands in front of a crowd on an illuminated street in Brixton, Johannesburg at night. The crowd, including children, watch the scene.