The impact of employability on Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences degrees in Australia. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCormack, Silvia; Baron, Paula
• Other Names: Ashton Daniel guest-editor.; Bennett Dawn guest-editor.; Bulaitis Zoe. H. guest-editor.; Tomlinson Michael guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Arts and humanities in higher education. Volume 22:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Employability -- arts and humanities -- Australian universities -- value of education -- university funding policy; Arts -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; Humanities -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; 700.711
• DOI: 10.1177/14740222231156888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-0222

Abstract

In Australia, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) faculties are under pressure to demonstrate that their degrees result in employable graduates. Employability has become a key strategic goal of all universities and is driving federal government funding changes. We surveyed 17 Directors of Learning and Teaching in HASS across Australia's 37 public universities to ascertain their views on how employability has affected HASS. Our thematic analysis of questionnaire results reveals a highly complex and, at times, contradictory picture of the relationship between HASS and employability.