Research Whisperer on The economics of Australian universities

Jonathan O'Donnell, the Research Whisperer, has published a thoughtful item on The economics of Australian universities. Firstly he points out that Australian universities are ‘liberal arts’ institutions, and only a few are private. Income is mostly from student fees (domestic ones subsidised by government), with little from government research grants or private endowments. What not mentioned is that Australia law requires universities to undertake research in multiple fields: an institution which specializes in education, or research in one field, cannot be accredited as a university in Australia. 

Dr O'Donnell points to the "pernicious culture of over-work in universities". The solution to this, I suggest, is professional training. Academics who have been trained only in research are open to exploitation. Not given enough time to carry out teaching or administration, a culture which sees long unpaid hours as heroic can develop. Instead staff can be trained to use tools and techniques to get the job done in the time available.

I am not sure I agree with Dr O'Donnell's characterization of Australian universities as ‘liberal arts’. While there is a separate system of vocational institutions for trades training, Australian universities were established and continue to provide doctors, lawyers, engineers and other working professionals. Recent reforms by government might be seen as a way to reinforce this emphasis on professional education.

Of Australia's 42 universities, 38 are public (set up by governments), and 4 private. One of the private universities, Torrens, is for-profit, with the rest non-profit. Torrens, is an unusual institution and deserving of more study.