About

We are the national voice for cultural, creative and ethical thinking. We promote the study and application of the humanities because recording, explaining and predicting the human story brings distinctive and diverse ideas to decision-making and contributes to a better future for all.

The Academy is an independent, not-for-profit organisation with a Fellowship of over 730 humanities leaders. Our Academy is one of Australia’s five Learned Academies – independent organisations established to encourage excellence in their respective fields and to provide expertise and advice at public, institutional and government levels. 

Our strategy

Our vision

Our vision is for a tolerant, inclusive and clever Australia, enriched and enabled by a deep appreciation of the histories, ideas, and cultures of our people, and of people around the world.

In a world radically altered by the impacts of COVID-19, the need to strive for a humanised future is more relevant and important than ever.

Our purpose

Our purpose remains clear and determined: to ensure the humanities in Australia thrive and excel, because we believe a better future for all humanity depends on ethical, historical, creative and cultural knowledge and expertise.

Strategic Plan 2020-2025

The Strategic Plan challenges us to consider what constitutes humanities expertise in 21st century Australia, to ensure that the Academy recognises, encourages and celebrates the full range of humanities excellence today, both within and beyond the university sector.

Our Charter & By-laws

The Royal Charter and By-laws provide the constitutional basis for the Academy and guide its operations. You can learn more about these documents’ role in the history of the Academy here

The Fellowship of the Academy voted to accept the current Letters Patent for the Second Supplemental Charter and Amended By-laws on 20 November 2024, and the documents were endorsed by the Governor-General Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC on 27 March 2025.

Annual reports

The Academy publishes an annual report of its activities each financial year. In doing so, we meet the reporting requirements of our Royal Charter and By-laws, and the conditions of grants made by the Australian Government under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth).

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Academy of the Humanities recognises Australia’s First Nations Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of this land, and their continuous connection to country, community and culture.