The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences calls on Macquarie University to abandon proposed staff reductions.
Council chair Frank Bongiorno warns that MU’s strengths in HASS means “deep cuts” across seven disciplines have implications for the humanities across the country.
The proposed cuts “will seriously undermine” student choice at Macquarie U plus the “ the “international reputation of Australian universities including their capacity for international staff and student recruitment,” Professor Bongiorno said.
And he makes the case for HASS courses, “in a world where democracies are under threat and disinformation undermines public rationality, HASS graduate develop the skills to think critically, analyse complex information, communicate effectively and build these capacities in others.
However, Macquarie U management argues it is responding to, “the needs of employers and students” and universities “need to adapt to modern demands to ensure they remain relevant, engaged and continue to deliver benefit and service.”
And it warns HASS faces threats.
“The external drivers and pressures facing our sector are acutely felt in the arts, humanities and social sciences, with policy and regulatory interventions likely to increase amidst ongoing political debates regarding the value of the humanities and social sciences.”
Discipline areas targeted for staff losses include ancient history, politics and creative arts. Sociology professor Amanda Wild says (via X) “11 of 14 of us, including me.”
MU observers suggest management is looking for a $10m annual saving from the Arts Faculty with 100 plus staff “in scope” for 43 redundancies.