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Empirical study of Literature Training Network

Project description

Innovative training in the empirical study of literature

Literary reading offers unique mental and emotional benefits and fulfils societal needs based on multiple research findings. In fact, reading contributes to the increasing ability for empathy, reasoning and self-control. It is estimated that 20 % of Europeans lack effective reading skills. Research findings show that time dedicated to reading is low. Scientists underline the need for a better understanding of the neuro-cognitive processes related to literary reading through novel empirical methods and forms of engagement in which empathy plays a key role. The EU-funded ELIT project will offer innovative and interdisciplinary training to a new generation of researchers in the empirical study of literature. It is also a response to the absence of doctoral programmes in Europe.

Objective

In Europe one in five people lacks adequate reading skills. Additionally, research shows that the amount of time spend reading is in decline and becoming more intermittent and fragmented. This is alarming, since recent empirical research shows that literary reading, by virtue of its appeal to first-person experience, yields unique cognitive and emotional benefits, such as enhancing the capacity for empathy, social inference, and emotional self-regulation. To arrive at a deeper understanding of how reading literature can lead to positive societal effects, more fundamental research is needed first. We need to clarify the (neuro)-cognitive processes that are crucial to literary reading in theoretical models. Model development should go hand in hand with the elaboration of novel empirical methods to test them. In addition, we need to investigate forms of narrative engagement and types of literary texts in which empathy plays an important role. Narrative engagement is an important contributor to reading enjoyment. Once these processes and literary experiences are mapped out, we can explore the effects of literary reading on mental well-being. To answer these questions, we propose to set up an ETN that aims to train a new generation of innovative and interdisciplinary researchers in the empirical study of literature: The Empirical Study of Literature Training Network (ELIT). As there are currently no interdisciplinary doctoral programs available across Europe, we developed a new program that revolves around comprehensive and integrative training that emphasizes the multidimensionality of reading. ELIT will stimulate true interdisciplinary research: our doctoral candidates will combine theory-driven approaches with various empirical methods. We will be collaborating closely with a range of non-academic partners to draw in valuable insights about how reading can fulfil certain societal needs.

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Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI VERONA
Net EU contribution
€ 472 152,20
Address
VIA DELL ARTIGLIERE 8
37129 Verona
Italy
Region
Nord-Est Veneto Verona
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 472 152,20

Participants (9)