To kick off our workshop series, we will explore the question of what can be understood by academic writing and what role it plays for communication in academia. We will then look at the function of writing in academic studies: Why do we write in academic studies and who are our texts aimed at? In addition, the session offers space to discuss expectations of writing your own texts during your studies as well as differences between different subject communities. A good understanding of these contexts can help you to better understand the requirements for academic texts during your studies as well as subject-specific conventions.