Public Administration & LegalISCO 2641
Literary scholar
A literary scholar is a person who studies literary works, the history of literature, genres and literary criticism, in order to assess works and what surrounds them in their proper context, and to produce research findings on specific questions in the field.
Check yourself in a minute: literary scholar
Rate 5 of the 43 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage research data
interact professionally in research and professional environments
disseminate results to the scientific community
operate open source software
speak different languages
About literary scholar
The scholar reconstructs the period, the genre and the argument a text was written into, so that the work can be assessed in its proper context. The scholar starts with preliminary research on the subject of a text, establishing what has already been said about it and what has not.
The scholar also drafts scientific or academic papers and technical documentation, applies for research funding, disseminates results to the scholarly community and promotes knowledge transfer, which in literature reaches teaching, publishing and the public.
The scholar uses academic English to publish and to discuss work with researchers in other countries. The scholar takes care over spelling and precision of expression. The scholar applies research ethics and scientific integrity principles, which in textual work include citation, attribution and the honest handling of a reading that contradicts one's own. Formal requirements are set by universities and research institutes.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (43)
literatureliteratureThe body of artistic writing characterized by beauty of expression, form, and universality of intellectual and emotional appeal.literary theoryliterary theoryThe different genres of literature and the way they fit into specific scenes.literary criticismliterary criticismAcademic field that evaluates and classifies literary works. These discussions can cover new publications or offer reassessment of older pieces of literature.history of literaturehistory of literatureThe historical evolution of forms of writing that are meant to entertain, educate or to give instructions to the audience, such as fictional prose and poems. The techniques used to communicate these w...types of literature genrestypes of literature genresThe different literary genres in the history of literature, their technique, tone, content and length.academic Englishacademic EnglishThe English language that is used in academic research and universities courses.writing techniqueswriting techniquesThe different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.literary techniquesliterary techniquesThe various approaches an author can use to enhance their writing and produce a specific effect; this can be the choice of a specific genre or the use of metaphors, allusions, and word play.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...read booksread booksRead the latest book releases and give your opinion on them.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.perform background research on writing subjectperform background research on writing subjectRun thorough background research on writing subject; desk-based research as well as site visits and interviews.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...
Optional (21) — show
theoretical lexicographytheoretical lexicographyThe academic field dealing with the syntagmatic, paradigmatic, and semantic relationships within the vocabulary of a certain language.journalismjournalismThe activity of collecting, processing and presenting to and audience information related to current events, trends, and people, called the news.comparative literaturecomparative literatureScience that adopts a transnational perspective to study the similarities and differences between various cultures in the field of literature. The topics may also include comparisons between different...philologyphilologyThe study of language through the use of literary sources and it is interdisciplinary between history, linguistics and literary studies.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.rhetoricrhetoricThe art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.cultural historycultural historyField that combines historical and anthropological approaches for recording and studying past customs, arts, and manners of a group of people taking into account their political, cultural, and social ...phoneticsphoneticsThe physical properties of speech sounds such as how their are produced, their acoustic properties and neurophysiological status.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.study culturesstudy culturesStudy and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...promote one's writingspromote one's writingsTalk about one's work at events and conduct readings, speeches and book signings. Establish a network among fellow writers.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.conduct quantitative researchconduct quantitative researchExecute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.critically reflect on artistic production processescritically reflect on artistic production processesCritically reflect upon processes and outcomes of the artisitc production process in order to ensure quality of experience and/or product.read manuscriptsread manuscriptsRead incomplete or complete manuscripts from new or experienced authors.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
media scientist34 shared essential skillslinguist31 shared essential skillseducational researcher30 shared essential skillshistorian30 shared essential skillsanalytical chemist29 shared essential skillsanthropologist29 shared essential skillsaquaculture biologist29 shared essential skillsastronomer29 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a literary scholar do?
Literary scholars research works of literature, history of literature, genres, and literary criticism in order to appraise the works and the surrounding aspects in an appropriate context and to produce research results on specific topics in the field of literature.
What skills does a literary scholar need?
A literary scholar needs 43 essential skills, including literature, literary theory, literary criticism, history of literature, types of literature genres.
Will AI replace literary scholar jobs?
The AI disruption score for literary scholar is 29/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: spelling, apply grammar and spelling rules, grammar. Most resilient: mentor individuals, study cultures, interact professionally in research and professional environments.
AI Replacement Risk
29/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills43
Is literary scholar right for you?
Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.
Take the free test