How is new knowledge produced in the social, natural, and biomedical sciences? What is the role of serendipity versus planning? How has technology changed knowledge production, from AI to large datasets? This book presents insights into the pursuit of new knowledge from fields as diverse as medicine, engineering, linguistics, and theology. Over twenty researchers and scientists describe the modalities of discovery in their disciplines, offering a diverse survey of the social norms and politics of knowledge. Written in nontechnical language, this collection is designed to make research practices from widely different domains comprehensible to each other. A generative synthesis in the final chapter offers new insights into how discovery happens and its consequences for science and society. On Discovery will be essential reading for anyone interested in philosophical and social dimensions of knowledge.

‘This insightful and thought-provoking book sheds light on the hidden processes of knowledge production, offering a rare glimpse into how scholars navigate research and discovery. With its cross-disciplinary approach, it is an invaluable guide for researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of disciplinary knowledge and its ethical and political implications across fields.’

Michalinos Zembylas - Professor of Education, Open University of Cyprus

‘Jonathan Jansen has developed an important book for those engaging in research. He demonstrates the centrality of creating new knowledge through research and discovery to addressing the dilemmas, problems and conflict of life and politics today and the necessity of generating new knowledge and understandings if we are to develop our society and world. This book will engage, fascinate and refresh.’

Colleen McLaughlin - Emeritus Professor of Education, University of Cambridge