ABSTRACT
Practices set up multiple and sometimes contradictory expectations around writing which academics have to negotiate and make choices about in their day-to-day workplaces. Academics are entangled in the work of inscription both through the vocational interests and commitments they purposefully pursue in their professional communities, and by the institutional demands they are bound to satisfy as part of their employment. The writing practices of academic staff in sites were followed for over a year, through a combination of interviews, close ethnographic observation of both online and offline writing activities, and analysis of the wider organisational context within which the writing took place. The final phase of data collection entailed broadening the sphere of interest out from the core 16 participants to interview other academics, heads of department, managers, and administrative staff. Some administrative staff served several departments, and were located in centralised hubs in different buildings from the academic staff they worked with.
