When is it academically correct to use "&" (an ampersand)? In university standard writing can you always use "&" instead of the word "and"?
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FWIW The ampersand is a typographic symbol, also used in the English language; it's not (owned by) the English (BrE or AmE or other) language. This question is like asking if I should prefer etc., or and so on and so forth. Style guides have their reasons for deprecating the ampersand sign or recommending limited use. User discretion is recommended at all times. – Kris Aug 21 '14 at 05:01
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@Ronan et al. I find the accepted answer at the linked "original question" to be unsatisfactory/ unacceptable. – Kris Aug 21 '14 at 05:02
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Style manuals typically recommend the use of "and" rather than "&" in running text. Exceptions are made for common abbreviations such as the name of a corporation, and stylistic typography in general, most commonly title pages, particularly for ceremonial purposes such as a dissertation. Tradition trumps brevity in most of the contexts, however.
See this FAQ on the Chicago Manual of Style website.
CMOS 14 regards ampersands as abbreviations that may be changed to “and” in running text. Exceptions include expressions like “R&D” and names of corporations that are generally abbreviated, such as AT&T, where it would be odd to spell out “and” but not the rest of the abbreviation.
[A couple of decades and a few administrations later:] The sixteenth edition would side with your author. If a company appears to prefer an ampersand in its name, then write it that way (e.g., Marks & Spencer). If in doubt, you can spell it out. Be consistent.
conorsch
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And some referencing styles require it for dual author references, but that's very different from using it in the main text. – curiousdannii Aug 20 '14 at 12:31
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How does this address acceptable academic standards? Universities have their own requirements (and style guides). – Edwin Ashworth Aug 20 '14 at 14:50
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It is generally good practise to refrain from abbreviation in exams and assignments, indeed some exam criterion specifically state to not abbreviate.
Just write out and in full, it doesn't take all that much longer.