Humanities Chairs Pessimistic About Future, Report Finds

A recent study conducted by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences indicates a prevailing sense of pessimism among chairs of humanities departments, influenced by political meddling, decreasing enrollments, and student doubts. Between mid-April and mid-June 2025, Ithaka S+R interviewed 30 department chairs through seven virtual focus groups. Data from the federal government shows that the number of humanities majors reached a high of 240,000 bachelor's degrees from 2010 to 2015, followed by a steady decline. Many chairs feel viewed as "troublemakers" or "a necessary evil" by administrators, with one describing their department as "persecuted." While small class sizes are considered a positive aspect, they are often seen by administrators as inefficient. Chairs with supportive deans who prioritize qualitative metrics tend to be more hopeful, unlike those facing evaluations based on cost and efficiency. Half express negative opinions about AI's influence on education, with only three viewing it positively. One-third link negative attitudes towards humanities to parental influence. Despite students frequently double-majoring and humanities courses being part of core curricula, funding models favor major enrollment over overall student numbers. Some chairs feel reduced to merely teaching writing. The report emphasizes the necessity for improved marketing strategies, recommending faculty diversification and stronger internship connections.