Power of the humanities

Explore stories about the social benefits and impact of the Humanities and the remarkable outcomes that can be achieved when humanities researchers collaborate on national and global challenges. Visit our Newsroom to explore stories about our people, community and research.

Australia’s oldest pottery find on Jiigurru (Lizard Island) on the Great Barrier Reef rewrites our understanding of Aboriginal maritime history and affirms the stories of Traditional Owners. Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm FAHA, Dingaal man Kenneth McLean and Dr Ariana Lambrides share the long-reaching impact of their co-designed research.

Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel, Dune, fictionalised the moral and environmental issues we’re grappling with sixty years later. Professor Bronwen Neil FAHA explores why Dune‘s dystopian vision of planetary death is resonating with so many people.

For many, reading poetry may evoke memories of tedious high school essays and lessons on literary analysis. This World Poetry Day (Thursday 21 March), Emeritus Professor Will Christie FAHA encourages us to rediscover the joy of poetry and with it, a sense of rebellion, discovery and curiosity.

The recent tragic deaths of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird resulted in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ decision to uninvite the NSW Police from marching in uniform in the parade for the first time in twenty years. Now that the 2024 Mardi Gras parade has been and gone, Professor Kane Race FAHA from the University of Sydney unpacks the traumatic and complex history between police and the queer community since Mardi Gras began in 1978.

Many scholars would be familiar with the term “plain language” when faced with a grant application, but does this “well-meaning” intent trivialise our most essential skills? Axel Fliethmann FAHA investigates what he deems an unsettling relationship between politics and language.

Six Fellows were recognised on the 2024 Australia Day Honours List, with two fellows recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and four awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

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.