Sara Hope Konrath

Sara Hope Konrath serves as an Adjunct Research Assistant Professor at the Research Center for Group Dynamics within the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. She directs the Interdisciplinary Program on Empathy and Altruism Research (iPEARlab.org), leading investigations into the development, benefits, and promotion of empathy, altruism, and emotional intelligence across diverse populations.

Her research program documents generational shifts in empathy and narcissism, establishes links between prosocial behavior and well-being, and pioneers digital interventions to enhance empathy. Key contributions include the Single Item Narcissism Scale (SINS), the Text to Connect intervention, and the Tech With Care Index for teens. She partners with educators, physicians, dating apps, museums, zoos, and foundations to implement evidence-based empathy tools in real-world settings, bridging academic research with practical applications.

Analysis of her 2014-2025 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) longitudinal studies on empathy/narcissism trends using large datasets, (2) development/validation of measurement tools for digital empathy assessment, and (3) neuroscience investigations into neural mechanisms of self-transcendence and prosocial behavior. Her work consistently integrates social psychology with technological innovation to address contemporary challenges in human connection.

Dr. Konrath co-organizes the annual Science of Philanthropy Initiative conference and serves as editor for leading journals in psychology and nonprofit studies. Her expertise is recognized through speaking engagements at South by Southwest (SXSW) and the Aspen Ideas Institute, with research regularly featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, and NPR. She directs the iPEARlab, which develops empathy interventions through cross-sector collaborations with museums, zoos, and digital platforms to foster kindness in connected environments.