A new report published today by the Higher Education Policy
Institute and the Russell Group’s Pro-Vice-Chancellors / Deans of
Arts and Humanities Network shows Humanities subjects are playing
a major role in education and the workplace.
The main findings from the report, The Humanities in the UK
Today: What’s Going On?(HEPI Report 159, attached), include:
- This is a globally leading sector. In 2020, UK Humanities
research activity was 49% higher than the global average,
outperforming all other disciplinary research areas in the UK.
- The UK also has 19 universities in the global top 100 in the
Times Higher Education2023 rankings for Arts and
Humanities, including four in the top 10, and 19 in the top 100
in the 2022 QS World Rankings.
- The number of UK students choosing Humanities subjects
suggests they continue to recognise the value of degrees that fit
them not narrowly for any one particular career, but which
develop the talents and skills needed for a wide range of
opportunities.
- There is a strong correlation between the skills of Arts,
Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) graduates and key skills
valued by employers.
- Eight of the 10 fastest growing sectors employ more AHSS
graduates than graduates of other disciplines. A Humanities
training may not pay back most quickly in the workforce, but it
is likely to give good resilience and longevity for longer term
prospects.
- Only 14% of employers say specific degree subjects are a
selection criterion; for most employers, it is the level of
education that is important, not the particular discipline.
The report also highlights the more recent ways that Arts and
Humanities are taught and represented – working in a much more
interdisciplinary way with the Natural Sciences and other STEM
disciplines, allowing students to prepare for an increasingly
complex and uncertain world.
Examples are provided where Humanities have supported different
societal challenges including during the pandemic, supporting
cultures and communities to withstand the pressures of lockdown,
helping society to make sense of and narrate the experience of
the pandemic, explain the benefits of vaccination and, crucially,
shape the process of recovery.
The areas of mental health, addressing loneliness of young
people, big issues of technology and ensuring accuracy in media
and communications are also given as examples of where the
insights and methodologies of the Humanities have deepened and
enhanced understanding and improved interventions.
Lead author, Professor Marion Thain,
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and
Professor of Culture and Technology at King’s College
London, said:
‘The UK’s work in the Humanities is one of this country’s most
distinctive and potent academic strengths.
‘By better connecting Humanities disciplines and STEM subjects,
we can create maximum impact for society, bringing
multi-disciplinary perspectives to bear on the key challenges of
our times.’
Professor Julia Black, President of the British Academy,
said:
‘This excellent report adds to the growing bank of evidence
demonstrating the value of education and training in the
Humanities. From History and English to Theology and
Anthropology, these disciplines furnish individuals with a wide
range of skills and knowledge that can be applied in a variety of
roles across multiple sectors and industries. As a result, these
graduates are among the most employable, resilient and highly
sought-after in the jobs market.
‘Crucially, the report also echoes the British Academy’s own
findings around interdisciplinarity and the importance of
thinking of SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for
People and the Economy) and STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Medicine) subjects as two sides of the same coin,
rather than as adversaries. Only by drawing on all talents can we
solve the many challenges facing society.’
Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group,
said:
‘The study of the Humanities, with its pursuit of knowledge and
understanding of the world around us, continues to have deep
relevance in uncertain times. Indeed, if we are to meet our
ambitions to create a dynamic, resilient and innovative economy,
we will need a breadth of skills and knowledge, and the country’s
world-leading strength in Humanities should be at the heart of
this.
‘The Government’s ambitions for R&D must recognise the
central role Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences will play in
harnessing emerging technologies like AI [Artificial
Intellligence] for the benefit of society, as well as driving
innovation in business and public services. And as part of a
truly interdisciplinary approach, the Humanities will be critical
to forging our response to the big global challenges we face like
net zero, from understanding the impacts across society to
formulating policies and communicating with the public.’
, Director of HEPI,
said:
‘It’s hard to conceive of a successful future for the UK without
thriving Arts and Humanities departments.
‘Humanities graduates have the transferable skills that employers
are crying out for and which computers cannot easily replicate,
while research in the humanities is essential to tackling global
challenges like climate change and pandemics.’
