Contextual factors of writing initiatives at Spanish universities: a qualitative study / Factores contextuales de iniciativas de escritura en universidades españolas: un estudio cualitativo

Abstract

Writing programmes are institutional initiatives designed to teach writing across the disciplines or in the disciplines. In this sense, writing is scarcely fostered in Spain, where initiatives are rather isolated and not institutional. This paper aims to gather experiences from professionals in the field of academic writing at Spanish universities, with the aim of identifying the key elements in the development of institutional programmes. An ad hoc protocol was designed to develop discussion groups with 22 professionals, and the information collected was analysed using NVivo software. Results highlighted the contextual situation of the Spanish university and the need for promoting writing at university. The different challenges faced and the key elements for the implementation of writing initiatives are discussed.