Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

12 May 2009

The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences sees 2009 and 2010 as the right time to build stronger links between policy makers and the university-based researchers working on the significant issues and challenges facing Australia.

A number of major issues for the humanities, arts and social sciences have been identified and, in 2009, the Council's focus for advocacy will include:

1. Use the research and analytic skills in Australian universities and arts and collecting institutions to strengthen policy development by Federal and State Government.

The Chair of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks AO in his recent ANZSOG speech on evidence based policy called on the public sector to hire more researchers and build connection to academic researchers. He noted that although there were good economic impact data available for many areas, there was a need for better research and analysis in social impact and demographic areas.

• Challenges of evidence-based policy making  
  Mr Gary Banks AO, Chairman, Productivity Commission

The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences outlined the case for greater and more diverse research based policy development in its Rigor and Relevance Occasional Paper.

• CHASS Occasional Paper #4   Rigor and Relevance Dr John H Howard

2. International science linkages.

Humanities, Arts and Social Science (HASS) researchers have a place in the international science and research programs, and support successful implementation of the Carr initiative to fund a new International Science Linkage (ISL) program for humanities, arts and social sciences.

• International Science Linkage
  Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Australian Academy of the Humanities

3. Arts and culture

Use the talent and skills of Australian creative arts to drive reform and growth in creative industries and in enriching community and public life.

Boost productivity growth through investment in creative industries, use creative arts in innovative services in both for profit and non-profit sectors and invest in the arts as an expression of a dynamic and diverse society.

4. Build Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) based on humanities, arts and social sciences research and leadership.

Support for the HASS sector in identifying and preparing high quality applications for the Cooperative Research Centres program.

• Cooperative Research Centres
  Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

5. Research and innovation.

To boost productivity and strengthen Australian society, the Australian government must press on with its major boost to funding of higher education. HASS areas need investment after years of underfunding, particularly given the Government's commitment to developing a creative, imaginative Australia.

Fund the full cost of research in all areas of research, including the humanities, creative arts and social sciences as recommended in the Bradley Review, and the National Innovation Review. CHASS supports implementation of the National Road Map for Research Infrastructure (NCRIS).

CHASS welcomes the major increase in research and education spending announced in the 2009 budget and looks forward to contributing to design and implementation of the new infrastructure and development funds.

The Powering Ideas white paper provides an agenda for making Australia creative and imaginative in the 21st century.

• Bradley Review
  Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations
• National Innovation Review
  Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• NCRIS
  Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Powering Ideas: An innovation Agenda for the 21st Century  

Creating capable students is as an urgent issue, and as a concrete example of where academic research can strengthen policy, Social Science researchers can help Government meet its targets for higher participation rates in higher education through use of evidence based research and experience in implementing programs to strengthen families.

6. National Education Curriculum and Languages.

The HASS sector will be active in policy for national education curriculum to ensure high standards in relevant areas including languages, history, and english. The Council believes the recent addition of rigorous sequential arts education in key areas of music, drama, dance and visual arts will give Australian students essential training in creative skills, and an introduction to their culture.

Support for languages learning and cultural exchange needed into higher education level.

7. Government business and non profit groups should publicly and repeatedly acknowledge the work of teachers trained in HASS in teaching core knowledge, and values of Australian culture and society - and then invest in educating the next generation of HASS-skilled teachers.

The Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) has more than 100 members including universities, individual faculties, research centres, professional associations, arts training institutions and creative industry groups. They include the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Humanities and the Council for the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

 

Helen O'Neil
12 May 2009

Also see: About CHASS