Image: Emeritus Professor Will Steffen. Photo: ANU

Emeritus Professor Will Steffen has been remembered as a “giant” of the scientific community at the inaugural lecture held in his name at ANU on 4 July 2024. 

Steffen, who passed away in January 2023, was one of Australia’s most influential and respected climate scientists. He also leaves behind a lasting legacy at ANU, as the former Director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society and the inaugural Director of the University’s Climate Change Institute.   

The lecture was delivered by his long-time collaborator Professor Johan Rockström from the University of Potsdam who fondly remembered Steffen not just as a brilliant scientist, but as a selfless mentor and gifted communicator. 

Read more: Inaugural Will Steffen lecture 

Image: Professor Rebekah Brown. Photo: David Fanner/ANU

Professor Rebekah Brown has recently joined ANU as Provost, overseeing the University’s academic mission, including advancing learning and teaching. Brown's new role is vital to ANU and its distinct national purpose, and she is excited to help the University fulfill its important national mission. “I knew it would be a privilege to be the provost of an organisation like this,” says Brown.  

Brown joins ANU after more than a decade in academic leadership at Monash University in Melbourne. She says while it was difficult to leave her team at Monash, she had achieved everything she set out to do.

Read more: Meet the ANU leader creating change

Image: Selina Walker. Photo: Supplied.

Thursday 18 July, 4-5.30pm 

Established in 2018 to spotlight Indigenous researchers and their work, this lecture series has become the University’s flagship event for National Reconciliation Week. It serves as a platform for advancing reconciliation, fostering meaningful dialogue, and addressing critical issues affecting Indigenous communities. 

We are proud to announce that this year’s lecture will be delivered by Ms Selina Walker a Ngunnawal woman, emerging elder, and proud granddaughter of Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea OAM. Selina was awarded 2024 ACT Local Hero and is a Co-Chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council and a member of the Victims of Crime Justice Committee.

Register now: Reconciliation lecture

Thursday 25 July, 6-8pm 

Imagine condensing hours, days, even years of complex research into a short, dynamic, presentation in front of an audience and expert panel. No pressure, right?  It is often said that an 80,000-word thesis would take nine hours to read out loud, but these contestants have just three short minutes and a single PowerPoint slide to support them. The Three Minute Thesis grand final is a free, must-see event on the University’s cultural calendar with huge cash prizes awarded on the night.  

Register now: Three Minute Thesis 

Tuesday 23 Jul 2024, 6.30–8pm 

ANU School of History will host award winning historian Anna Clark, who will discuss the question - how do we map settler-colonial historiography if the discipline has been complicit in the settler-colonial project? Anna will draw on the work of Indigenous history-makers and knowledge-holders, pointing to ways researchers might reach outside the traditional scope of historiography to map and contemplate the range of history-making that comprises history in the settler colony. 

Register now: 2024 Allan Martin lecture  

Wednesday 24 July, 6-8pm 

Economic exchange between countries has always involved risks but, since World War II, those risks have been managed under the US-led rules-based multilateral order, fostering globalisation that especially benefited East Asia. Today, this system faces threats from great power rivalry, outdated rules and protectionism. Explore these issues with Professor Shiro Armstrong from the Crawford School of Public Policy in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. 

Register now: Weaponised economics lecture 

Monday 22 July, 5-6pm 
 
Join us for a lecture that will define and explore the double black box phenomenon, analyse its costs and benefits, and identify ways that policymakers, military and intelligence officials and lawyers in democratic states can reap the advantages of advanced technologies without surrendering their rule of law values. 

Register now: Double black box lecture 

ANU is pleased to share the 2024-2026 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Recently endorsed by both Council and Reconciliation Australia, this third consecutive RAP embodies an unwavering commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on sacred land that was never ceded. 

The ANU vision for reconciliation is to create a supportive community on campus where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students feel welcome and that the diverse views and needs of members within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are respected and recognised. 

Learn more: RAP 

This week ANU is hosting a town hall meeting for parents and all four community childcare centres. This event aims to address any concerns and provide updates on the ongoing negotiations regarding the new purpose-built childcare facilities. We hope to provide a detailed update on the progress of these discussions shortly and look forward to engaging with our community during the town hall.

We will continue to update you throughout the process. For more information, see our FAQs.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Westpac Future Leaders Scholarships, available to commencing postgraduate coursework and research students. Apply now and you could receive up to $120,000 in flexible funding to support your studies and living expenses, bespoke leadership training, up to six months of overseas travel and access to mentoring and networking experiences.  

Learn about the experiences of the ANU recipients of the 2023 Westpac Scholarships.

Applications close Thursday 29 August at 5pm.  

Learn more: Westpac Scholarships 

The ANU Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of our alumni who have made a profound impact on the world. These awards showcase the skills, passion and achievements that make ANU alumni leaders in the community.  

Whether it’s a friend, relative, student, colleague, or yourself, nominate someone exceptional for a 2025 ANU Alumni Award.  

Learn more: ANU Alumni Award

The Migrant Justice Institute are seeking feedback from international students working part-time in Australia. We encourage you to participate in this important survey to have your say on how you have been treated at work. Your answers will help researchers recommend improvements to Australian laws and policies, to ensure all students experience safe and fair working conditions.  

Access the survey: Temporary migrant work survey 

On June 14, a phishing campaign from a compromised ANU alumni account was detected. Impressively, out of over 11,000 emails, a significant number of people reported it and fewer than 20 users clicked the link, showcasing the University's cyber awareness. The Information Security Office have created detailed guidelines explaining how to report phishing emails.   

Learn more: Phishing guidelines

As of yesterday, the Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) eForm has been replaced with a new Microsoft Power App titled ‘Request for Assessment Adjustment.’ The app is available in the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS), for students to request an assessment extension or an ECA. 

Learn more: Extenuating Circumstances Application 

Buy Nothing ANU is a new initiative that allows individuals to gift and receive clothes, furniture and other items to fellow students, staff and ANU residents.  

Celebrate this new initiative at the launch event, held at the Food Co-op on Monday 22 July, 4.30pm.  

Learn more: Buy Nothing ANU launch 

If you are dealing with a personal or university-related issue, including distress related to the conflict in the Middle East, the University encourages you to seek support through the ANU Student Safety and Wellbeing team by emailing student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au or calling 02 6125 2211, Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm.

You can also visit our Urgent Support page for a list of 24/7 and crisis support options.