The Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (DASSH) is the authoritative agency on research, teaching and learning for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) in Australian and New Zealand universities.

This response will focus on the role of HASS education in promoting, strengthening and securing the ongoing stability of democracy and democratic values in the Australian nation.

In responding to the Future humanities workforce discussion paper, DASSH intends primarily to provide insights from the perspective of leaders in the academic humanities workforce.

While DASSH supports the principles outlined in the Discussion Paper in general, members suggested that the task of research classification could be more effectively achieved and efficiently undertaken were it to draw on techniques arising from advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.

In contrast with the ‘technical and specialist skills’ associated with STEM, contributions from graduates of the HASS sector are poorly understood. This report makes the case for a clearer articulation of the value of HASS in the context of Australia’s future workforce.