University welcomes Cornwall MP for showcase and discussion on the value of the Humanities
The popularity and importance of the Humanities to students and employers was the topic of discussion when academics at the University of Exeter, Cornwall, hosted one of the Duchy’s MPs.
Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, met with History and English Literature scholars in the University’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall, to review some of the programmes offered by the institution.
They also discussed some of the findings of the Royal Historical Society’s October 2024 report The Value of History, which highlighted a growing divergence between the popularity of history as a subject of study and public interest, and the challenges facing the discipline across the UK higher education sector.
Dr Jim Kelly, Senior Lecturer in English, and Subject Lead for Humanities, was one of the lead academics on the day. He said: “We were delighted to host Jayne and offer her an insight into why our degree programmes are so contemporary and innovative. Meetings such as this are vital for countering negative accounts of the future of the Humanities, and making sure that their continued dynamism and centrality are clearly recognised by the government.”
The visit began with a review of the different programmes on offer on the Cornwall Campus, including the hugely successful interdisciplinary BA degrees in History & Politics and History & International Relations, as well as the groundbreaking new programme in Environmental Humanities.
The discussion covered the growth in popularity of GCSE and A-Level History, the transferable skills gained from these degree programmes, and the attractiveness of Humanities graduates to employers across a range of sectors. Ms Kirkham also led a conversation around the current political challenges facing Higher Education and the importance of a Cornish-based research-intensive university.
She said: “I am proud to have such a strong interdisciplinary Humanities offering in a department of the University of Exeter in Cornwall, and will be offering all the support I can to ensure it goes from strength to strength.”
As part of its continuing efforts to celebrate the value of History, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cornwall will be hosting the President and Council of the Royal Historical Society later in May.
