Raygun Rachael Gunn's Departure from Macquarie University Signals Deeper Arts Faculty Challenges

Rachael Gunn, better known to the world as B-girl Raygun, has become the most recognizable face in a wave of academic redundancies sweeping through Macquarie University's Faculty of Arts. The viral breakdancer from the Paris 2024 Olympics, whose kangaroo-inspired routine captivated and divided audiences, accepted voluntary redundancy in February 2026 after nearly two decades associated with the institution. Her exit underscores the precarious state of humanities and arts programs across Australian universities, where declining enrollments and funding pressures are forcing drastic restructures.

Gunn's story blends cultural phenomenon with academic reality. Holding a PhD in cultural studies from Macquarie—titled 'Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-Girl's Experience of B-Boying'—she lectured in media, communications, creative arts, language, and literature. Her research explored gender dynamics in breaking culture, blending her dual roles as scholar and performer seamlessly until financial headwinds intervened.

Understanding Macquarie's Faculty of Arts Restructure

Macquarie University's Faculty of Arts is undergoing a sweeping overhaul aimed at $15 million in savings. Proposed changes include slashing 42 full-time equivalent (FTE) academic positions in arts and 33 in science and engineering. Nearly 31 percent of arts units scheduled for 2026 have been axed, with majors like criminology, education studies, gender studies, geography, politics, and performing arts paused or discontinued. Entire degrees, such as music and ancient history and archaeology, face merger or elimination, reshaping offerings into streamlined paths.

Curriculum shifts are set for 2026 and 2027, driven by low enrollment figures, international student caps, and domestic demand uncertainty. The university cites student feedback on overly complex degrees and a push for 'economic value' in pathways. However, critics argue this prioritizes short-term finances over long-term educational diversity.

Over 40 colleagues have taken voluntary redundancies, with fears of forced cuts looming. Vice-Chancellor Bruce Dowton attributes the moves to evolving funding models, regulatory shifts, and a post-pandemic international enrollment slump—a trend hitting humanities hardest.

Gunn's Perspective: 'The Writing on the Wall' in Higher Education

In interviews following her departure, Gunn voiced deep concerns about Australian higher education. 'I saw the writing on the wall,' she said, highlighting deteriorating staff conditions, psychosocial hazards, and misplaced priorities like lavish building projects, consultant fees, and executive salaries. She worries for remaining colleagues, noting no signs of improvement amid student experience declines.

Gunn's tenure spanned from undergraduate studies to lecturing in media and cultural studies for five years post-PhD. Her interdisciplinary work bridged academia and performance, but she now pivots to public speaking and creative projects, reflecting adaptability in a volatile sector.

Union and Academic Backlash Against 'Sham Redundancies'

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has slammed the cuts as a 'disgrace,' accusing Macquarie of targeting humanities disproportionately. Branch president Nicholas Harrigan called it 'stealing from students,' while Dr. Alison Barnes decried impacts on wellbeing. An inquiry chaired by Dr. Sarah Kaine flagged potential 'sham redundancies,' prompting SafeWork NSW warnings.

• 42 FTE academic roles cut in Arts
• 33 in Science and Engineering
• 11 of 14 sociologists at risk earlier
• Petitions and protests from staff and students

Academics like Prof. Kate Fullagar warn of 'hollowing out' fields like ancient history, once a faculty strength. Racial and sexist bias allegations have surfaced in redundancy selections, fueling open letters demanding transparency.

Root Causes: Enrollment Declines and Funding Squeeze

Australian universities face a perfect storm. The Job Ready Graduates policy doubled arts degree costs to $55,000 HECS, deterring domestic students—humanities enrollments dropped 6% per student in real terms since 2017. International student visa caps post-2025 exacerbated revenue shortfalls, with unis losing billions.

Nationally, nearly 4,000 jobs were cut in 2025, with hundreds more in 2026. Macquarie's Arts revenue remains substantial, yet restructures prioritize STEM growth, adding 10 research roles there versus humanities losses. Universities Australia calls for urgent funding fixes to avert further erosion.

Impacts on Students, Research, and University Diversity

Students face reduced choices: 70,000 teaching hours slashed, first-year units cut, majors consolidated. This limits interdisciplinary paths critical for creative industries, media, and cultural sectors—key to Australia's economy. Research in gender studies, sociology, and creative arts, Gunn's domains, risks stagnation, narrowing perspectives on societal issues.

Diversity suffers: Humanities foster critical thinking, cultural understanding. Cuts disproportionately hit women and minorities in arts faculties, per union data. Long-term, this could stifle innovation, as STEM alone can't address complex global challenges like climate communication or social cohesion.

A National Crisis: Humanities Under Siege Across Australia

Macquarie exemplifies a sector-wide trend. ANU proposes arts and social sciences cuts; UTS eyes 400 roles; Federation shed 87. Over 17,000 jobs lost post-COVID, now accelerating. Arts/humanities deprioritized amid STEM funding boosts, despite their role in employability—grads excel in adaptable skills like analysis and communication.

Government inaction on Job Ready reversal prolongs pain. Unis lobby for reforms, warning of 'crying wolf' skepticism but real deficits from intl reliance (40% revenue pre-caps).

Stakeholder Perspectives: Management vs. Frontline Academics

VC Dowton defends restructures as 'necessary workforce realignment' for sustainability. Yet academics counter with revenue data, arguing humanities viability. NTEU pushes rank-and-file committees for democratic input.

Students petition against cuts, fearing diluted education. Gunn embodies the human cost: talented researcher displaced, highlighting need for balanced strategies.

Future Outlook: Reforms and Adaptation Strategies

Prospects dim without policy shifts. Universities Australia urges funding security; potential Job Ready repeal could halve arts fees, boosting demand. Meanwhile, hybrid models, online delivery, and industry partnerships offer lifelines for humanities.

For academia, diversification is key: upskill in AI ethics, data literacy for cultural analysis. Gunn's pivot exemplifies resilience—leveraging public profile for new ventures.

Photo by Ricardo IV Tamayo on Unsplash

Navigating Job Insecurity: Actionable Advice for Higher Ed Professionals

Australian academics face turbulence, but opportunities persist in research, adjunct roles, and alt-ac paths. Key steps:

• Build transferable skills: Digital humanities, grant writing, teaching tech.
• Network strategically: Via NTEU, LinkedIn, AcademicJobs.com.au.
• Explore remote higher ed jobs: Growing demand in admin, online lecturing.
• Financial planning: Voluntary redundancy packages can fund transitions.
• Advocacy: Join unions, petitions for funding reform.

Positive note: Despite cuts, Australia's higher ed sector innovates—target higher ed jobs in resilient areas like education policy, cultural management.