<p>What do they do?</p>
<p>If I had to guess, I’d say they write.</p>
<p>[Let</a> me google that for you](<a href=“http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Writers+in+Residence]Let”>http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Writers+in+Residence)</p>
<p>I work at a university where we have a “writer in residence” - he doesn’t have a PhD but has a master’s degree, and is a published author (several books). He teaches in our English department. We have also had artists in residence, musicians in residence - at least at our institution, they perhaps don’t have a terminal degree (PhD, usually) but are considered qualified to be faculty/instruct students because of their accomplishments.</p>
<p>to add to that, there is still a distinction between writer in residence and professors who just dont have a terminal degree. professors are employed by the school while fellows and residents are more patroned by the college.</p>
<p>They usually teach classes in a certain department or departments, lead workshops/special events for students, and give readings (for writers in res.) or perform (for actors/musicians in res.).</p>