The Australian Academy of the Humanities welcomes the Government’s response to the Review of the Australian Research Council (ARC). The Education Minister, Jason Clare MP announced has agreed or agreed in principle, to all 10 recommendations of the ARC Review.
“The humanities were, overwhelmingly, the target of the former Minister’s veto of December 2021 – and of the previous five occasions it’s been used. Our universities and Learned Academies collectively stood up to Government to say ARC independence and humanities research matters. Yesterday Jason Clare took steps to restore confidence in and integrity of the ARC,” said President, Professor Lesley Head FASSA FAHA.
“As we said in our submission to the review, it’s in everyone’s interests to have a strong ARC with a renewed reputation for delivering programs with integrity and innovation”.
“We particularly welcome strengthened governance arrangements by way of a new Board structure. It is vital that the ARC can draw on research leadership across the spectrum of disciplines, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander , to make informed and authoritative decisions for the Australia’s research future”.
The changes are essential to developing an effective, efficient and independent university research system in which humanities research is funded and thriving.
We thank the Minister for commissioning the review and we commend the work of the Review Panel, led by Professor Margaret Sheil AO FAAS FASTE, Professor Sue Dodds FAHA and Professor Mark Hutchinson.
We look forward to continuing to work with the ARC to support the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Review.
