Professor Mia Lindgren is the Dean of Swinburne University of Technology's School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. She spoke to Campus Review about how many arts-related skills, including critical thinking, innovation and problem solving appeared at the top of World Economic Forum's list of essential skills for 2025, with social skills and technology use not far behind.

For Lidgren, the skills learnt in an arts degree will be absolutely necessary in the future, as many science breakthroughs will need to be communicated in sometimes creative ways, as well with ethical considerations in mind.

She also spoke about Swinburne's new and novel Bachelor of Arts degree that revolves around themes, not subjects. While cross-disciplinary knowledge form traditional arts domains will be embedded in this thematic approach, Lidgren believes such an approach will lead to more career opportunities in the future for students. The new arts degree will also provide students with far more opportunities for workplace experience in their area of interest.