The role of literary fiction in facilitating social science research

Abstract Scholars in literature departments and the social sciences share a broadly similar interest understanding human development, societal norms, political institutions. However, although scholars are likely to reference sources or concepts from their published work, line of influence is much less appear other way around. This unequal engagement provides occasion for this paper, which seeks clarify ways scientists might draw literary fiction development own work as academics: selecting research topics, teaching, drawing inspiration projects. A qualitative survey sent 13,784 science researchers at 25 different universities asked participants describe influence, if any, reading works plays academic development. The 875 responses provide numerous insights into nature interdisciplinary between these disciplines. First, reveals skepticism among early-career regarding literature’s compared more senior colleagues. Second, significant number respondents recognized playing some part shaping interests expanding comprehension subjects relevant scholarship. Finally, generated list authors texts that acknowledged especially useful topics study sciences. Taken together, results fuller account how engage with than can be found pages journals, where strict disciplinary conventions discourage out-of-the-field engagement.