Valuing the Humanities

• Author: Michael Thomas,Rohan Garga,John O’Mahony,Max Kimber
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8462.12328
• Published date: 01 June 2019
• Date: 01 June 2019

The Australian Economic Review, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 226–235 DOI: 10.1111/1467-8462.12328

Valuing the Humanities

John O’Mahony, Rohan Garga, Michael Thomas and Max Kimber*

Abstract

Humanities education and research have been

a critical foundation of societies for centuries.

However, societal change and the broadening

of tertiary education over time have nega-

tively affected the position and perception of

the humanities, at least in relative terms. This

article aims to redress this slide, informing

discussion by bringing together new and

existing evidence. We find that businesses,

governments and societies in general benefit

from humanities‐educated individuals. We

also find the humanities can improve students’

job and earning prospects and equip them

with a range of technical and transferrable

skills.

1. Introduction

Humanities education and research have been

critical foundations of societies for centuries.

Disciplines such as history, literature and

philosophy have shaped institutions and

policy debates and attracted generations of

students seeking to understand more about

how societies function and change. However,

changing frameworks for understanding social

value and the expansion of tertiary education

disciplines over time have affected percep-

tions of the importance of the humanities.

Moreover, globalisation, rapid technological

developments and structural changes in the

economy have meant the demands of the

modern workforce are changing. These

changes have opened up debates about the

value and public benefits of different subject

areas within higher education in Australia.

Understanding the humanities is crucial for

businesses faced with hiring choices.

Employers have identified significant gaps

between the demand and supply of skills such

as communication, problem solving and

critical thinking (Deloitte Access Economics,

2017). The value of the humanities is also

important for students thinking about their

education and career options. Studies have

estimated that Australians will make 17

changes in employers across five different

careers moving forward (Fell, 2014).

Disciplines most thought of when consid-

ering the humanities are anthropology, his-

tory, law, language and literature, philosophy

and sociology. Less at the forefront of one's

mind but equally as important are the creative

arts, which include music and dance perfor-

mance, drama and film production, art history

* Deloitte Access Economics, Sydney, New South Wales

2000 Australia. Corresponding author: Mahony; email

<joomahony@deloitte.com.au>.

This paper uses unit record data from the Household,

Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA)

Survey. The HILDA Project was initiated and is funded

by the Australian Government Department of Social

Services (DSS) and is managed by the Melbourne

Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research

(Melbourne Institute). The findings and views reported

in this paper, however, are those of the authors and should

not be attributed to either DSS or the Melbourne Institute.

© 2019 The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic and Social Research

Published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd