AAH calls on SERD panel to recognise the vital role of HASS and Indigenous Knowledges in national innovation

“Without clear recognition of these domains at the highest levels of government, Australia risks eroding the social and cultural capabilities essential to our national resilience, creativity, and global competitiveness,” said Academy President Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA.

“This is Australia’s humanities moment. Complex challenges—whether climate adaptation, health innovation, or technological change—demand human insight as much as technical ingenuity. If our innovation system continues to overlook these strengths, we will fail to harness the full breadth of Australia’s talent and imagination.”

The Academy’s submissions call for:

• Embedding HASS and Indigenous expertise in all national missions, through co-leadership roles, dedicated funding lines, and social and policy readiness measures alongside technical readiness levels.
• Safeguarding foundational research capability, maintaining balance between top-down missions and bottom-up disciplinary diversity.
• Recognising innovation beyond technology, including Australia’s professional services, creative industries, and “Createch” sectors—where creative practice drives technological development.
• Broadening the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) to include HASS-led, creative, and service-based R&D.
• Evaluating innovation outcomes holistically, aligning with Treasury’s Measuring What Matters framework to include cultural participation, civic trust, and wellbeing as measures of national progress.

“The humanities and social sciences are not peripheral—they are central to innovation that works for people,” Professor Garton said.

“By embedding ethical, cultural, and social intelligence across our national missions, Australia can build an innovation system that is trusted, inclusive, and truly world-leading.”

Read our submissions to the SERD Issues Papers.