The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) was the first Faculty of Australia’s first University. Building on the First Nations knowledge of these lands, we are Australia’s first university, Sydney’s university and a great global university.
1 Our student-focused education is transformational
2 Our research is excellent, tackles the greatest challenges and contributes to the common good
3 Our community thrives through diversity
4 A better place to work, and a place that works better
In 2032, our students graduate ready and able to contribute to a changing world; employers value their initiative, inclusive leadership and collaborative and ethical approach to work. They value both being taught by disciplinary experts and gaining an education relevant to their lifelong goals. They feel empowered to work with us to codesign excellent classroom practices, cohort environments and assessment. Our peer universities look to us as innovators in education.
Our alumni regularly return to the University to continue their studies and collaborate in networks enabled by FASS’s strong discipline-focused communities. They advocate for us across their global connections, and we value learning from their experiences and knowledge.
In 2032, our research in the humanities, arts and social sciences is recognised globally for its response both to enduring scholarly questions and to pressing societal, cultural and economic problems. Our depth of scholarship provides unique points of leverage to address the multidisciplinary challenges of the 21st century.
Our academic community supports our higher degree research (HDR) students to embark on multiple career pathways. By having trained as researchers in a variety of contexts with community, public sector and industry partners, our HDR graduates are better equipped to respond to an ever-increasing list of societal challenges.
This is a new plan, but it is not a new strategy. Our purpose is unchanged: to bring together a unique mix of the best arts, humanities and social science scholars to collaboratively deliver 21st-century education and research that tackles the world’s most pressing challenges. What changes now is that we shift from building foundations to delivering at scale... where our ambitions will be tested against delivery.
In 2032 FASS has a stronger and more accountable partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, understanding that our responsibilities extend to the communities surrounding us. FASS is bolstered and strengthened by the diversity of the backgrounds, perspectives and voices of our students, staff and stakeholders. We value pluralism.
We attract the very best academic and professional staff from around the world, who bring new ideas, perspectives and experiences. All our staff value an inspiring and innovative environment where collaboration is cultivated by addressing research and educational challenges within and across our disciplines. We recognise the contributions of our people and help them develop their careers.
In 2032, we build impact and engagement into our approach to research, delivering outcomes that benefit national and international communities. We celebrate that the best research happens when we work collaboratively across disciplines, modelling sustainability, ethics and inclusivity at every stage, and valuing diverse epistemologies and perspectives. External partners appreciate and want to collaborate with us, and we attract funding from multiple and diverse sources because our research is distinct in its approach, its breadth, and its disciplinary depth.
The key partnerships we have established with high-profile community, government and business organisations are contributing positive changes to society through new research and teaching collaborations. This collaboration is enabled by our vibrant new Arts Precinct, which brings together staff, students, our partners and our neighbours to exchange ideas and celebrate the humanities, arts and social sciences.
