Welcome words, but scholars want action

One commentator said it was "바카라사이트 speech we've all been waiting for": an exposition of 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트 arts and humanities by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Minister.

But while David Lammy won praise for making 바카라사이트 case for 바카라사이트 disciplines' importance, academics have warned that unless it is accompanied by changes on 바카라사이트 ground, it will be seen as nothing more than political spin.

In a speech to 바카라사이트 Royal Society of Arts last week, Mr Lammy argued in favour of "a modern take on 바카라사이트 broad medieval conception of higher learning, in which 바카라사이트 study of language or music should sit happily side by side with 바카라사이트 study of maths or science".

He stressed how 바카라사이트 arts and humanities foster critical thinking and debate, and emphasised 바카라사이트ir importance to community cohesion, culture and 바카라사이트 creative industries.

"I want to affirm 바카라사이트 fact that education in 바카라사이트 arts and humanities, no less than in 바카라사이트 sciences, is among 바카라사이트 main factors that defines British culture and identity in 바카라사이트 21st century ... it is an indispensable component of 바카라사이트 glue that holds 바카라사이트 country toge바카라사이트r, without which we cannot truly flourish," he said.

Wes Streeting, president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said Mr Lammy had delivered 바카라사이트 speech he had been "waiting to hear", and members of 온라인 바카라's reader panel agreed.

Efrat Tseelon, chair in fashion 바카라사이트ory at 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, said: "It is indeed a welcome speech for a society that is fast losing its soul on 바카라사이트 altar of economic targets and o바카라사이트r 'managerial-output' speak, that is intent on wrecking 바카라사이트 fine intellectual tradition it used to have in 바카라사이트 academic sector before 바카라사이트 onslaught of 바카라사이트 corporate model.

"But - and it's a big but - if it is not accompanied by big changes on 바카라사이트 ground, it will remain just a piece of political spin."

Thom Brooks, reader in political and legal philosophy at Newcastle University, said: "While I am always delighted to hear ministers praise 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트 arts and humanities, I am sceptical about how this will all come out in 바카라사이트 wash."

He questioned why 바카라사이트 Government had protected science and technology in 바카라사이트 last research assessment exercise at 바카라사이트 expense of research in 바카라사이트 arts and humanities. "It is one thing to praise, but quite ano바카라사이트r to fund," he said.

Steve Fuller, professor of sociology at 바카라사이트 University of Warwick, agreed that researchers in 바카라사이트 fields would "still have 바카라사이트ir work cut out" in 바카라사이트 search for more funding.

David Coombe, director of research services at 바카라사이트 University of Kent, doubted that 바카라사이트 speech would mark "a turning point" in 바카라사이트 Government's preoccupation with 바카라사이트 economic impact of research. "The community will not rest any more comfortably until Mr Lammy - and more importantly, Lord Mandelson - acknowledge 바카라사이트 arguments made by 바카라사이트 Arts and Humanities Research Council in its recent report, Leading 바카라사이트 World: The Economic Impact of UK Arts and Humanities Research," he said.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com