Rob Townsend
@rbtownsend.bsky.social
Director, Humanities, Arts, and Culture Programs and Humanities Indicators (http://bit.ly/1vcZlh4) at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Quotes and RTs ≠ opinions.
Pinned
Rob Townsend
@rbtownsend.bsky.social
· May 21
The Academic Humanities Today: Findings from a New National Survey
Few need to be told that the academic humanities have been beset by challenges over the past fifteen years, but the evidence tends to be scattered. To provide a clearer picture of the state of the fie...
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"Drawing on responses from more than two thousand department chairs, the report demonstrates both the challenges the field experiences today and the resilience of many departments in the face of those difficulties." bit.ly/43ojlAN
"Ball State University...is launching Humanities in Action, a new initiative that will connect humanities students with paid internships in nonprofit organizations—strengthening career readiness, supporting community partners, and highlighting the value of humanities education" bit.ly/4rKkzAC
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February 12, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"Ball State University...is launching Humanities in Action, a new initiative that will connect humanities students with paid internships in nonprofit organizations—strengthening career readiness, supporting community partners, and highlighting the value of humanities education" bit.ly/4rKkzAC
"More than half (57 percent) of artists reported being somewhat or very worried about at least one form of financial vulnerability—such as affording food, housing, medical care, or utilities—and more than one-third (37 percent) reported using some form of public assistance." bit.ly/46I0bYQ
The National Survey of Artists | NORC at the University of Chicago
Painting a nationally representative portrait of the lives and livelihoods of U.S. artists
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February 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
"More than half (57 percent) of artists reported being somewhat or very worried about at least one form of financial vulnerability—such as affording food, housing, medical care, or utilities—and more than one-third (37 percent) reported using some form of public assistance." bit.ly/46I0bYQ
"We keep saying we want young people to lead, newcomers to feel at home, neighbors to trust each other across differences. Public humanities are how we make those promises real...they are, concretely, part of the operating system of self-government." bit.ly/4ksHaiN
Public Humanities Aren’t Extra. They’re How We Practice Democracy.
When I tell people I’m an English major, the follow-up is almost always the same: “So… what are you going to do with that?”
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February 11, 2026 at 4:18 PM
"We keep saying we want young people to lead, newcomers to feel at home, neighbors to trust each other across differences. Public humanities are how we make those promises real...they are, concretely, part of the operating system of self-government." bit.ly/4ksHaiN
"Rather than abandoning the study of humanities entirely for AI, it might be better to evolve skillsets to meet market needs. A mix of AI engineers plus humanities experts is a far better combination than relying on the tech alone." bit.ly/4aqerXp
Anthropic’s Cofounder Emphasizes Humanities Studies in the AI-Powered Era
The cofounder of Anthropic recently spoke about the study of the humanities and its relevance to the workplace despite the rise of AI.
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February 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"Rather than abandoning the study of humanities entirely for AI, it might be better to evolve skillsets to meet market needs. A mix of AI engineers plus humanities experts is a far better combination than relying on the tech alone." bit.ly/4aqerXp
"In Sept. 2025, the Department of English announced that it would cease accepting new applications to the doctoral program and instead reorganize the curriculum under a new title — Computational Cultural Studies (CCS)." bit.ly/3ZsJAEx
Literature and Cultural Studies program cut, replaced with Computational Cultural Studies - The Tartan
In Feb. 2024, Richard Scheines, Dean of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, placed an administrative hold on admissions to Carnegie
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February 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
"In Sept. 2025, the Department of English announced that it would cease accepting new applications to the doctoral program and instead reorganize the curriculum under a new title — Computational Cultural Studies (CCS)." bit.ly/3ZsJAEx
"AI still cannot adequately cover the unique domain of "critical thinking" that belongs to the humanities...the issue lies ... with whether humanists possess the courage and capability to shoulder the responsibilities of the era and confront its challenges." bit.ly/3Zvb3p8
Humanities more important than ever in digital age
The notion that "the humanities are useless" is not new, but it has gained renewed poignancy in today's artificial intelligence-driven world.
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February 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
"AI still cannot adequately cover the unique domain of "critical thinking" that belongs to the humanities...the issue lies ... with whether humanists possess the courage and capability to shoulder the responsibilities of the era and confront its challenges." bit.ly/3Zvb3p8
"we do a disservice to young people when we discourage them from pursuing the liberal arts and treat education as the mere acquisition of skills and knowledge. To withstand the challenges posed by scientism and politics... the #humanities need positive accounts of their value." bit.ly/45XTTUO
Why I Don’t Regret Majoring in the Humanities
Literature, it turns out, is a great teacher of humility.
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February 9, 2026 at 2:15 PM
"we do a disservice to young people when we discourage them from pursuing the liberal arts and treat education as the mere acquisition of skills and knowledge. To withstand the challenges posed by scientism and politics... the #humanities need positive accounts of their value." bit.ly/45XTTUO
“House Bill 614 would change statewide learning standards by requiring public schools to include the contributions and experiences of groups described as “historically marginalized” in history and social science instruction.” bit.ly/4rzUOTF
Bill could affect history and social science lessons for students across Virginia
A bill being discussed in Richmond could impact what students across Virginia learn in history and social science classrooms.
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February 7, 2026 at 2:53 PM
“House Bill 614 would change statewide learning standards by requiring public schools to include the contributions and experiences of groups described as “historically marginalized” in history and social science instruction.” bit.ly/4rzUOTF
"To be engaged in learning of any kind is an exercise in patience and practice. And if we practice the humanities and learn from other cultures, we’re more likely to understand who we are, where we came from and where we’re going." bit.ly/3MuDyjP
We need the humanities now more than ever
In constantly changing political, economic and environmental circumstances, the world needs the humanities more than ever.
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February 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
"To be engaged in learning of any kind is an exercise in patience and practice. And if we practice the humanities and learn from other cultures, we’re more likely to understand who we are, where we came from and where we’re going." bit.ly/3MuDyjP
Study of comparative AI policies in class syllabi finds #humanities "adopting the most restrictive policies in 2023 and remaining the most restrictive through Fall 2025....Business courses are 43 percentage points less likely than Humanities courses to be fully restrictive" bit.ly/3ZEkBhP
How Instructors Regulate AI in College: Evidence from 31,000 Course Syllabi
Author(s): Chirikov, Igor
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February 5, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Study of comparative AI policies in class syllabi finds #humanities "adopting the most restrictive policies in 2023 and remaining the most restrictive through Fall 2025....Business courses are 43 percentage points less likely than Humanities courses to be fully restrictive" bit.ly/3ZEkBhP
"First-generation students should not be boxed into narrow definitions of success dictated by short-term economic logic. Education should not be reduced to a transactional exchange where degrees are valued only by their monetary value." bit.ly/4afG99k
Why Cutting the Arts, Culture, and Humanities Is a Political Choice
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February 5, 2026 at 6:42 PM
"First-generation students should not be boxed into narrow definitions of success dictated by short-term economic logic. Education should not be reduced to a transactional exchange where degrees are valued only by their monetary value." bit.ly/4afG99k
"she has observed that the increase in technology bans is more prevalent in humanities and social sciences courses than in STEM courses." bit.ly/4ccvQoV
Digital device bans are on the rise in Arts & Sciences classes - Student Life
An increasing number of courses in WashU’s School of Arts & Sciences are heavily restricting or banning the use of digital devices in the classroom, according to Vice Dean of Undergraduate Affairs Eri...
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February 5, 2026 at 3:12 PM
"she has observed that the increase in technology bans is more prevalent in humanities and social sciences courses than in STEM courses." bit.ly/4ccvQoV
"The humanities respond by inviting essential insight about what matters in life, how to sustain civic culture and safeguard democracy, and what it will take to build a secure, free, and prosperous future for the planet." bit.ly/3ZiKWSb
The Humanities at Princeton: Our Future Is Bright
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February 4, 2026 at 9:04 PM
"The humanities respond by inviting essential insight about what matters in life, how to sustain civic culture and safeguard democracy, and what it will take to build a secure, free, and prosperous future for the planet." bit.ly/3ZiKWSb
Just 4% of Americans account for nearly half the books read in the U.S.: bit.ly/4abRXZV
February 4, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Just 4% of Americans account for nearly half the books read in the U.S.: bit.ly/4abRXZV
"Administrators report that many students are now afraid of having sociology classes on their transcripts, as this may put off potential employers." bit.ly/4ke3vk5
Wendy Nelson Espeland: Sociology is taking it on the chin. Here’s how we can preserve this critical field of study
Many parents have asked the timeless question: “What do you do with a degree in sociology?”
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February 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
"Administrators report that many students are now afraid of having sociology classes on their transcripts, as this may put off potential employers." bit.ly/4ke3vk5
"One department that mostly prohibits AI across the board is the history department. It bans AI as a “text-generation tool” and for editing. Furthermore, AI is explicitly not allowed as a brainstorming tool for the department’s independent work" bit.ly/46gDmva
Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.
AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities...
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February 3, 2026 at 2:27 PM
"One department that mostly prohibits AI across the board is the history department. It bans AI as a “text-generation tool” and for editing. Furthermore, AI is explicitly not allowed as a brainstorming tool for the department’s independent work" bit.ly/46gDmva
I am looking for a part-time research assistant in the Cambridge (Mass.) area to help with a history of the Academy. Details at bit.ly/4asu0Pr and feel free to DM or email me with questions.
Research Assistant for Humanities, Arts, & Culture
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences seek a detail-oriented undergraduate history student to support award-winning historian Jacqueline Jones with research for a 250th anniversary history of the ...
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February 2, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I am looking for a part-time research assistant in the Cambridge (Mass.) area to help with a history of the Academy. Details at bit.ly/4asu0Pr and feel free to DM or email me with questions.
I am looking for a part-time research assistant in the Cambridge (Mass.) area to help with a history of the Academy. Details at bit.ly/4asu0Pr and feel free to DM or email me with questions.
Research Assistant for Humanities, Arts, & Culture
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences seek a detail-oriented undergraduate history student to support award-winning historian Jacqueline Jones with research for a 250th anniversary history of the ...
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I am looking for a part-time research assistant in the Cambridge (Mass.) area to help with a history of the Academy. Details at bit.ly/4asu0Pr and feel free to DM or email me with questions.
"Out of higher education’s $772 billion revenue base, just 0.16% of that, or roughly $1.2 billion per year, flows to the humanities, arts, and social sciences (HASS) from U.S.-based foundation funding." bit.ly/4qaZFJK
How a few foundations shape academic culture - The Future of American University
By Tao TanJanuary 23, 2026 A surprisingly small stream of private money may play an outsized role in shaping academic culture in American higher education. Out of higher education’s $772 billion reven...
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February 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM
"Out of higher education’s $772 billion revenue base, just 0.16% of that, or roughly $1.2 billion per year, flows to the humanities, arts, and social sciences (HASS) from U.S.-based foundation funding." bit.ly/4qaZFJK
"Mellon’s commitment to the arts and humanities is unshakeable; our belief in their cultural and intellectual potency remains unchanged." bit.ly/4bOpWdJ
Opening Up the Arts and Humanities for All Americans
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February 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
"Mellon’s commitment to the arts and humanities is unshakeable; our belief in their cultural and intellectual potency remains unchanged." bit.ly/4bOpWdJ
"The secret to humanities degrees is learning how to understand and appreciate new things. With a more open-minded perspective, students will be able to grasp the value." bit.ly/4qLFsvh
Humanities vs. sciences degrees: an unfair advantage
FGCU is commonly known for its health sciences, business and environmental Studies, but there is a surplus of humanities degrees handed out every year, which is often overlooked. On campus, some major...
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January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
"The secret to humanities degrees is learning how to understand and appreciate new things. With a more open-minded perspective, students will be able to grasp the value." bit.ly/4qLFsvh
"the very fact that these classes seem irrelevant is why it is important to take them. Very little can replace perspective. It is essential to hear with those who differ and disagree with you, because there has never been a person who has not learned from a conversation." bit.ly/49Ogwxl
For the sake of humanities
Columnist Luke Stark argues for the value of liberal arts and ethnic studies courses, especially for students who think the topics may seem irrelevant.
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January 29, 2026 at 8:11 PM
"the very fact that these classes seem irrelevant is why it is important to take them. Very little can replace perspective. It is essential to hear with those who differ and disagree with you, because there has never been a person who has not learned from a conversation." bit.ly/49Ogwxl
"Limiting academic options sends the message that only certain paths are “worth” pursuing, reinforcing existing socioeconomic inequalities. First-generation students should not be boxed into narrow definitions of success dictated by short-term economic logic." bit.ly/3M8Zilb
Why Cutting the Arts, Culture, and Humanities Is a Political Choice
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January 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM
"Limiting academic options sends the message that only certain paths are “worth” pursuing, reinforcing existing socioeconomic inequalities. First-generation students should not be boxed into narrow definitions of success dictated by short-term economic logic." bit.ly/3M8Zilb
“It would be cuts to staffing, cuts to programs, and then significant cuts to our regrants, which would have a negative impact on the state, especially ahead of this semi quincentennial year” bit.ly/4qPMU8O
A smaller state budget could mean less money for arts organizations across Missouri
Missouri arts and humanities leaders say Gov. Mike Kehoe’s proposed budget for the arts would hurt programs across the state
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January 28, 2026 at 8:00 PM
“It would be cuts to staffing, cuts to programs, and then significant cuts to our regrants, which would have a negative impact on the state, especially ahead of this semi quincentennial year” bit.ly/4qPMU8O
Really interesting conference coming up at Univ. of Maryland in March about "how best to achieve societal impact by addressing critical issues collaboratively ... harnessing expertise from across a variety of fields, in particular the social sciences, humanities, and arts" bit.ly/4k5VPQY
Mpact Conference 2026 – Understanding Regional Opportunities and Partnerships to Drive American Competitiveness
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January 28, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Really interesting conference coming up at Univ. of Maryland in March about "how best to achieve societal impact by addressing critical issues collaboratively ... harnessing expertise from across a variety of fields, in particular the social sciences, humanities, and arts" bit.ly/4k5VPQY