This paper presents the evaluation of a design research project that combines artistic practice and academic theory to demonstrate how problem-based learning (PBL) can bridge the gap between those fields. "Researching Empathy Through Staged Performance" was a master's thesis project in the field of interaction design and consisted of an artistic performance titled "My Body, Your Room." The live performance functioned as a site for conducting scientific research into corporeal empathy. The project investigates how embodied methodologies that combine dance performance and interactive technologies can strengthen empathic relationships between the audience, performer and the environment. "My Body, Your Room" was developed at the Design School Kolding (Denmark), and utilised cross-disciplinary theories, concepts and methods from interaction design, performance studies and neuroscience. The working methodology drew on artistic approaches and scientific research methods such as quantitative and qualitative analysis, including video documentation, ethnography, surveys and interviews.