How Comfortable Are You in this Environment? Taking on Someone Else’s Perspective

This learning activity is part of the course Gender Studies, Intersectional Perspectives on Risk and Security.

In the activity, students experience five different filmed environments from the perspective of different archetypal role descriptions that they are given. Students are encouraged to empathise with their given role and to evaluate how comfortable they feel in the environments from that perspective. They indicate the level of comfort by positioning themselves on a large round green, yellow or red carpet (the colours represent a scale).

Each environment is shown for 90 seconds with an accompanying soundscape. In some of the environments there is a shift after a while, but not in all. Students are encouraged to take their time and do not have to remain on their initial choice should they change their minds.  

The purpose of this learning activity is to encourage reflection and critical thinking regarding how power structures impact what is considered risk, crisis and crisis management and how these relate to safety and vulnerability. The activity in the simulation room is followed by a seminar.