Between March 2020 and February 2021, the ELIT Network laid the foundations for the development of individual research projects and launched the first training activities for early stage researchers (ESRs). Following the Call for Applications, the training officially began on 1 October 2020 through regular meetings between ESRs and supervisors. These meetings focused on project development and key readings in empirical literary studies.From 1 December 2020 to 4 February 2021, the University of Verona hosted the first ELIT Training School, Literary Theory and Text Analysis, which was open to both ESRs and external PhD students. It featured seven expert lectures and a final workshop in which ESRs applied the skills learned to a chosen text. On 11 February 2021, a seminar on Research Ethics was held exclusively for ESRs, aimed at preparing them to draft ethics applications—an essential step, as all ELIT projects involve human participants through surveys and questionnaires.
Between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2025, the ESRs, working across three Research Work Packages, developed their research projects in various fields, leading to the following results:
-WP1 developed an updated model of literary reading, integrating immersive and aesthetic processing, and found that textual features, reader disposition, and context shape engagement, while comparing digital and paper reading shows medium-specific effects on comprehension and aesthetic involvement;
-WP2 investigated how narrative empathy functions in literary reading, focusing on the role of character morality, literary style, and reader engagement, while exploring the potential social impact of these factors;
-WP3 examined how literary reading enhances mental well-being and identified strategies like narrative coping programs, shared reading, and picture book interventions to promote these benefits.
Meanwhile, the ELIT training (WP4) organized a series of workshops for ESRs aiming to broaden their research context, helping them identify gaps, adopt suitable methodologies, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration to enrich their academic development and build connections within the research community.
WP5 enhanced the visibility of the ELIT network, fostering collaboration and networking among ESRs. Key results include the development of the ELIT website, continuous social media activity, ESR-led thematic seminars, and participation in international conferences. A total of 18 articles were published in peer-reviewed journals, and two final events were organized to disseminate findings. The strategies increased engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and involvement of non-academic stakeholders.
In line with the EU's Open Research Data policy, the project developed a Data Management Plan (DMP), and while many datasets have been made publicly accessible, others are temporarily restricted until academic processes are completed.
The ELIT programme has successfully enhanced ESRs' employability,as almost all of the ELIT ESRs have secured postdoctoral positions, while others work in the instructions sector.
