Rob Townsend (also @rbtownsend.bsky.social)

New: "#Humanities departments that are succeeding are able to do so by diversifying their faculty and curricula, emphasizing community engagement and programmatic interdisciplinarity, and providing financial incentives—using a “show, don’t tell” approach" bit.ly/4ffKZat

"Through conversations with museum professionals, curators and community leaders, students gain a deeper understanding of how humanities research can influence audiences, communities and public discourse beyond the university." bit.ly/4uo5c2H

"Dick Startz, an economist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, pointed out that liberal arts graduates still do better than most people who never go to college, according to federal Census data." bit.ly/4ufquzw

"When asked at the end of the conversation what she would major in if she could return to college, she replied, 'It might sound strange, but I think I would choose literature again.'" bit.ly/4uRuuGr

"The disturbance of AI could prompt us to fully realise the promise of the humanities. We have always known that the humanities are for all humans. But institutionally empowered wisdom has typically not come from all humans." bit.ly/42D2SIX

If you would like a free print copy (or copies—up to five) of the new report on humanities departments (as well as a forthcoming research brief on "Understanding the Public Humanities Through the State Humanities Councils"), please submit your request at bit.ly/4dmgSfc.

If you received a notice from NEH about a terminated grant and can't login (it took me 20 min), all it says is "In accordance with the court’s order...we are notifying you of the court’s Opinion and Order...NEH will update you with further information as it becomes available."

"AI is already reshaping how people learn, work, and participate in public life — and the humanities have a vital role to play in ensuring our choices about AI reflect our deepest values as a society” bit.ly/4wtpAkp

"The number of students earning an undergraduate degree in philosophy in the United States declined for the third year in a row. According to new data from Humanities Indicators...." bit.ly/491fihs

"A humanities hub emerged as a School-wide priority, not just from humanities faculty but also from our colleagues in the social and natural sciences... it was gratifying to see so many committed to protecting it.” bit.ly/4uNqiaI

"The humanities chairs in our sample described AI causing seismic changes in the classroom. For the most part, they were pessimistic about the potential effects." bit.ly/42oBQFb

"Humanities chairs—anxious about increasing political interference, declining enrollments and students’ skepticism toward the value of humanities degrees—are largely pessimistic about the future of their departments" bit.ly/3Pz7r40

"The study of history remains as valuable and relevant as ever. The discipline develops precisely the kind of durable skills that employers seek and that civic life demands" bit.ly/4evRCFq

“A federal judge ruled Thursday that the U.S. DOGE Service did not have the authority to cancel National Endowment for the Humanities grants” wapo.st/42VAhi4

“The National Endowment for the Humanities is proud to sponsor the Freedom 250 American Heroes Student Art Contest, an initiative that not only fosters creativity but also deepens students’ understanding of the individuals who have shaped our nation” bit.ly/4dvpQI7

Interesting new Census Bureau data shows that half of people with BA degrees think AI tools make them more productive, but almost a third are worried about AI's impact on their careers. bit.ly/4tpRSts

"the old divide between STEM and the humanities is no longer tenable. The future belongs to those who can move fluently between technical systems and human consequences." bit.ly/4f78CC5

New today: "Perhaps tellingly, the most popular page on the site is the only one that lacks any data—but does address public confusion about the term “humanities.”" bit.ly/3Rm44xK

"humanities projects presented at the convening engage groups beyond the college campus with programs that deepen understanding about cultures and histories – both local and global – and help individuals grapple with big questions" bit.ly/4ulRdKj

"This fully online graduate certificate trains students to use digital tools that are in increasingly high demand in humanities careers." bit.ly/4wbzWp5