AustLit

'We are delighted to bring you a bumper issue of History Australia, the fourth and final one for 2017. In it you will find acknowledgements of the contributions of two of our finest historians, Emeritus Professor Ken Inglis and the late Professor Emerita Jill Roe, as well as a suite of research articles from established and early career historians that collectively demonstrates the enormous diversity of historical research in Australia today. This plurality of methodologies and subject matter also reflects the diversity of approaches to history as it is taught in our universities, reminding us just how far off the mark the recent and widely criticised Institute of Public Affairs report was. Alarmingly titled ‘The End of History…in Australian Universities’ this report was highly critical of what it referred to as the dominance of ‘identity politics’ in the current History curriculum. Our colleagues and AHA executive members, Associate Professors Martin Crotty and Paul Sendiuk have written an informed and intelligent response based on a 2017 survey of History courses in Australian universities, soundly debunking the myths proffered by the IPA. We would urge everyone to read it.' (Editorial)