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Well, someone gets it. That's great. Really. It is important to see this kind of public statement.
It's just a shame that the chunk of his party that sets the agenda doesn't get it, and us actively pursuing policies which threaten the Arts & Humanities.
It's invidious because https://twitter.com/CSkidmoreUK/status/1352321514947956736
It's just a shame that the chunk of his party that sets the agenda doesn't get it, and us actively pursuing policies which threaten the Arts & Humanities.
It's invidious because https://twitter.com/CSkidmoreUK/status/1352321514947956736
where they lead, universities follow. Understandably they see which way the wind is blowing and where the money is going, and shape institutions accordingly. Which means slashing those subjects which someone decides aren't valuable.
Who decides? Well, according to yesterday's
Who decides? Well, according to yesterday's
pronouncements, 'the nation.' But who actually IS that?
In reality, it's the Government. Who want more 'high value' jobs - ie those that earn individuals mega-bucks but which don't necessarily help society in its true, widest, sense, let's be honest. There's more to life than
In reality, it's the Government. Who want more 'high value' jobs - ie those that earn individuals mega-bucks but which don't necessarily help society in its true, widest, sense, let's be honest. There's more to life than
money. So much more. (Also, BTW, plenty of A&H grads DO earn well & occupy societally-useful positions, but that's a whole nother story.)
So this Govt will marketise HE still further, limiting resources & forcing institutions to fight each other in an increasingly bitter
So this Govt will marketise HE still further, limiting resources & forcing institutions to fight each other in an increasingly bitter
zero-sum game. All in the name of being the party of the minimal intervention, you understand.
Let the market decide, provided we set it up and control it to achieve what we want it to do and what we (cough cough, the nation, because we are the nation) want it to do.
Let the market decide, provided we set it up and control it to achieve what we want it to do and what we (cough cough, the nation, because we are the nation) want it to do.
I've been working in HE for nearly 20 yrs now. Never has it felt so much like a genuine attack on what is good and makes the system work well. And never has the Arts and Humanities felt so devalued.
What we do IS important, even if the bean counters can't immediately see it.
What we do IS important, even if the bean counters can't immediately see it.
And again, there's massive and well-documented evidence showing how much the A&H contribute to the economy, so the money-obsessives just need to read that. But the A&H are worth it on so many more grounds.
How can we make key Govt figures understand this? I just don't know.
How can we make key Govt figures understand this? I just don't know.
But keep trying we will. We have to. It's important.
So - for those, HE and beyond, in the Arts & Humanities who are under attack, stay strong. We have work to do and we must succeed.
So - for those, HE and beyond, in the Arts & Humanities who are under attack, stay strong. We have work to do and we must succeed.
