Potential for social progress undermined by attacks on universities

Strengthening educational institutions is vital in the pursuit of justice and progress, Professor Verity Firth said in her address at the Jessie Street National Women’s Library annual luncheon on 15 September.

Federation is a proud supporter of the specialist library, dedicated to the preservation of Australian women’s work and history.

Drawing on her extensive experience in government and the education sector, Professor Firth discussed how recent right-wing populist attacks against universities threaten social progress and undermine the legacy of activists like the esteemed feminist and library namesake Jessie Street (1889–1970).

“I’ve always seen education as the great equaliser in an otherwise unequal world,” she said.

“It’s one of the very few tools we have left that can genuinely change the trajectory of people’s lives… but we’re really at quite an interesting and challenging historical moment for universities.”

Professor Firth highlighted how mounting challenges within the university sector threaten to diminish their vital role as hubs of civic engagement and democratic discourse, especially in the social sciences and humanities.

“These disciplines help us understand ourselves and each other. They give us the tools to interpret history, navigate culture and shape policy; they foster empathy, ethical reasoning and civic imagination.”

She warned “we are in an age of misinformation, polarisation and the significant evolution of technology with the rise of AI”.

“We need social sciences and humanities more than ever. It’s these disciplines that help us understand the human context behind the technology, how it shapes our society’s values and identities. They equip us to ask who benefits, who is left out, and they ensure that as we build smarter machines, we don’t lose sight of what it means to be human.”

Professor Firth concluded by referring to Jessie Street’s work campaigning for peace and progress, reaffirming the importance of education in the pursuit of social justice.

Jessie Street National Women’s Library is an invaluable resource for teachers and students. Welcome to all, the library is located within the Ultimo Community Centre, 523-525 Harris Street, Ultimo, open between 10am and 3pm on weekdays.

The library is self-funding and relies on memberships, donations and fundraisers to continue their important work. You can become a member here.

Professor Firth is the Vice President of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at the University of NSW and the Professor of Practice within the School of Education.

She served as Minister for Education and Training from 2008 to 2011 and currently sits as a Board Director for the Teachers Mutual Bank.