The cultural analysis of emotions is an expanding field in Swedish ethnology. Here we explore a setting, in which emotions often are repressed or taboo – that of our own Academic world. How are emotions like envy, pride, passion or boredom expressed or repressed in everyday university life ? Why is irony such an important style of communication among academics ? Using materials from a more general study of university, we explore how feelings are anchored in seemingly trivial situations, such as coffe break jokes or body language during research seminars.