Writing with the present absent: an autoethnography with/without Barbara Czarniawska

Purpose This paper explores the presence and absence in academic writing, reflecting on how mentorship, intellectual legacy and loss shape scholarly authorship. Through an autoethnographic inquiry, we examine the ways in which Barbara Czarniawska, our mentor and colleague, remains an active presence in our academic work even after her passing. Design/methodology/approach Using collaborative autoethnography and vertical ethnography, we engage in reflexive storytelling to document our lived experience of writing and researching within a space where absence is generative rather than merely limiting. Findings We find that Barbara’s absence operates not as an end but as a structuring force, shaping decision-making processes, orientations and editorial practices. In investigating the interplay of presence and absence, we invite the reader to consider not only the specifics of our experience but also the broader question of how scholarly authorship is shaped by those whose absence lingers as an abiding presence. The inclusion of the presence of an important absent mentor, we label writing with presence/absence. Originality/value This paper contributes to writing differently. It demonstrates how loss and mentorship continue to shape scholarly authorship and academic work. By framing absence as an active presence, we challenge conventional notions of authorship and collaboration in academia. We outline the epistemological strategy of inviting resonance through presence/absence, which makes room for communication beyond linear modes of organizing the text.