Panel discussion: 'To BA or not to BA?'

Speakers:

• Professor Janice Carruthers, Dean of Research, Queens University Belfast.
• Professor John Doyle, Vice President for Research, Dublin City University.
• Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal, University of St Andrews, Scotland.

Chair: Professor Daniel Carey, President of the Royal Irish Academy.

In Europe and beyond, the commitment to arts and humanities teaching and scholarship is under threat. Student recruitment in the UK, for example, has witnessed serious declines over the last fifteen years ranging from 30-50% in a number of humanities disciplines. The British Academy has identified an array of ‘cold spots’ where access to arts courses is compromised in large parts of the country, with modern foreign languages, linguistics, anthropology and classics particularly at risk.

For colleagues in Northern Ireland (with whom the RIA actively engages as an all-island body) the funding model has had major impact on staffing and provision, placing new pressures on already reduced offerings.

In Ireland, student numbers have held ground and gained in some areas of the social sciences, but we face difficult issues regarding student choice, including negative perceptions about career prospects for Arts graduates amidst increased costs for accommodation.

‘To BA or not to BA’ will bring a panel of expertise and experience to bear on a discussion in relation to the provision and choice to study arts and humanities at an undergraduate level.

Attempting to disentangle multiple factors at play, it will consider: Is there a real drop in applications to BA programmes? What are the drivers of student choice in the later part of this decade? Do we need to rethink the structure, teaching and learning of a BA? Are we seeing the impact of prior policy decisions or a more immediate impact driven by demand?

Eolas faoi Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann

Is cumann léannta neamhspleách, uile-oileáin é Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann, a bunaíodh sa bhliain 1785. Tacaíonn an tAcadamh le scoláireacht agus taighde sna heolaíochtaí, sna daonnachtaí agus sna heolaíochtaí sóisialta. Tá tuairim is 680 comhalta tofa ann agus 80 ball foirne, agus déanann siad ionadaíocht ar son na hÉireann go hidirnáisiúnta, cuireann siad comhairle shaineolach ar fáil don rialtas, déanann siad taighde, déanann siad deontais taighde a riaradh, eagraíonn siad comhdhálacha agus léachtaí poiblí, cuireann siad leabhair agus irisí acadúla i gcló, agus déanann siad cúram de leabharlann taighde.

Riachtanais rochtana

An bhfuil riachtanais rochtana de chineál ar bith agat? An bhféadfaimis cuidiú leat tairbhe iomlán a bhaint as an imeacht? Bí i dteagmháil, roimh ré, le hoifigeach rochtana an Acadaimh, [email protected]

Tabhair faoi deara: Ba cheart go mbainfeá an tAcadamh (19 Sráid Dhásain) amach faoi 5:50in ar a dhéanaí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh gach éinne socraithe sula gcuirfear tús leis an imeacht ar 6:00in. Ní ligfear isteach daoine a bheidh déanach.

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About the Royal Irish Academy

The Royal Irish Academy (RIA), established in 1785, is an all-island, independent learned society and academic body that champions research by supporting and promoting scholarship in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. Its elected membership of approximately 680 individuals and 80 staff represent Ireland internationally, provide expert advice to government, carry out research, administer research grants, organise conferences and public lectures, publish academic books and journals, and maintain a research library.

Please note: We ask that you arrive to the Royal Irish Academy (19 Dawson Street) no later than 5:50pm so that we can ensure everyone is seated before the event begins at 6:00pm. Late-comers will not be admitted.

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