This week, ANU marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to recognise the outstanding contributions of women across research, teaching, leadership and professional roles within our university. 

The IWD theme this year is #AccelerateAction and highlights the urgency of creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. At ANU, we’re proud to support the 12,906 female students and 2,803 female staff members who bring innovation, leadership, and dedication to our community. Their impact extends beyond ANU, shaping industries, policies and societies.

So throughout this edition of On Campus, you’ll find inspiring stories showcasing the achievements and contributions of women across our University.

Yorta Yorta woman Dr Lisa Conway is creating a more inclusive and culturally safe future for the Australian Public Service.

ANU scientist Professor Caitlin Byrt is harnessing the power of plants to create a sustainable future for people and the planet.

Dr Yen Le’s time amongst the picturesque mountains and glaciers in Ladakh highlighted the health risks of climate change.

Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens uncovered the research gap in the intersection of circus, science and technology.

Defying gravity: Dr Elise Stephenson is engineering a more equal future on Earth and in outer space.

ANU PhD scholar Maureen Montalban is helping reimagine military service to be more inclusive of motherhood.

Dr Samira Nazar is showing women in the world’s most vulnerable regions can turn adversity into business success.

ANU expert Dr Eunice Khoo is researching how superstitions can significantly impact financial decision-making

Dr Alison Bentley, Dr Sarah Clement, Dr Georgy Falster and Dr Amanda Parker have all been recognised as Superstars of STEM. 

This fortnight has been another busy time for our campus. Last week, ANU was called to Senate Estimates which is an extraordinary experience, and one that takes real time across the organisation to prepare for. I want to thank our 80 or so colleagues who are involved in this process in the lead up to, and on the night itself, and a special shout out to Tony, Grady and Michael for representing ANU with me. You can read the opening statement on our Parliamentary engagement page.

Read more from the VC: Senate Estimates and DVCA news

Team for WWUG. Credit: Provided.

A huge congratulations to our ANU student athletes for their outstanding performances at the 2025 Winter World University Games (WWUG) in Torino, Italy. Representing Australia as part of the UniRoos team, Fedele de Campo, Isabella Moon, and Hannah Price showcased their talent and dedication on the international stage in cross-country skiing and biathlon. 

The WWUG is a significant milestone for student-athletes balancing elite competition with academic commitments, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. These games provide a pathway to even greater success, with many athletes going on to compete at World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. 

Read more: Australian UniRoos

ANU Solar Racing team. Credit: Provided.

The ANU Solar Racing team has successfully completed it's first ever Regional NSW Community Showcase event. Across a week in February, the team visited the regional towns of Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo to deliver educational outreach programs. The team completed this trip with a fleet of 6 EV's to showcase the feasibility of the public charging infrastructure that currently exists. 

Read more: Solar Showcase

IEEE Asia Pacific Region Director Prof Takako Hashimoto, IEEE President Prof Kathleen Kramer, HIAF Scientific Director Prof Mahananda Dasgupta and ANU Research School of Physics Director Prof Tim Senden. Credit: Provided.

The Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) at ANU has received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Milestone Award, becoming the fourth recipient in Australia. The official ceremony to unveil the IEEE milestone plaque took place last Wednesday. HIAF, the highest energy ion accelerator in Australia, has enabled world-leading research in nuclear science, climate, environment and biomedicine for over 50 years.

Read more: ANU Heavy Ion Accelerator

New season of A Podcast of One’s Own starts on 6 March

In celebration of International Women's Day, we're pleased to announce the launch of the new season of A Podcast of One’s Own, hosted by The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Chair and former Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard AC.  

The first episode, releasing on 6 March, features Julia in conversation with Welsh First Minister, Eluned Morgan. On 20 March, Julia and co-host Sarah Holland-Batt will discuss the newly released novel Wild Dark Shore in their inaugural book club episode. The Podcast dives into the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership today, featuring expert insights on gender equity, policy change and leadership pathways.  

Read more: A Podcast of One’s Own

Monday 10 March, 5.00 -7.00pm 

Looking to go to Enlighten but unsure how to get there or don't know who to go with? Join the ANU walking group as they head to the Enlighten Festival for the Chief Minister's Student Welcome. The group will depart from ANU and take the free shuttle bus to the festival. Meet in front of the Di Riddell Student Centre at 5.30pm on Monday 10 March. 

Registrations are required for both the ANU walking group and the Chief Minister's Student Welcome event. 

Register now: ANU Walking Group

Wednesday 12 March, 6-7pm 

Robert Dessaix will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh on his new book Chameleon: A memoir of art, travel, ideas and love, a book that reflects on pleasure, art, sex, literature, infatuation, happiness, music, life, death and all the rest. 

Register now: Meet the Author Robert Dessaix

Friday 14 March, 12-2pm 

Confused about the Australian tax system? Unsure how to lodge your tax return or claim deductions? Join the ANU Tax Clinic for an informative session on common tax issues affecting international students. 

Learn about tax residency, the Medicare levy, superannuation, Tax File Numbers, and how to avoid scams. Plus, get the chance to chat with tax professionals and have your questions answered. 

Register now: Tax Tips for International Students 

Monday 17 March, 6-7pm 

Vincent Fantauzzo will be in conversation with Helen Musa on his memoir Unveiled, the incredible true story of how a street-fighting petty criminal became one of Australia’s most celebrated and successful portrait artists. 

Register now: Meet the Author Vincent Fantauzzo

Monday 17 March, 10.30am– 12pm 

As part of Neurodiversity Awareness Week 2025, the College of Arts and Social Sciences is hosting a panel event on neurodiverse education. Our student body is vibrant and diverse, and as educators we can continue to improve the design and delivery of our programs to ensure an inclusive, engaging and exciting educational experience for all. 

This panel discussion will focus on designing and delivering optimal educational experiences for neurodiverse students. A rich and varied perspective will be offered with expertise drawn from research, lived experience, student voice and industry expertise.  

Register now: Neurodiversity Awareness 

Peter Anstee, First Assistant Secretary for Cyber and Technology Security Policy at the Department of Home Affairs and ANU alumnus, has been awarded a 2025 Fulbright Scholar Award. He will develop methodologies for managing foreign interference risks in high-tech industries at the University of California, Berkeley. Peter's work will also strengthen collaboration between Australian and American technology experts. 

The Fulbright Program is one of the world’s most prestigious academic exchange initiatives, fostering research collaboration between Australia and the United States. Since 1949, it has supported scholars in advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges. 

Read more: Fullbright Scholar – Peter Anstee 

Did you know? Using your personal hotspot in a lecture theatre can affect everyone’s Wi-Fi performance? Avoid doing so and connect to ANU-Secure, the university’s preferred Wi-Fi network to ensure improved Wi-Fi for all. 

Learn more: Wi-Fi tips

If you were born overseas, speak a language other than English at home, have migrated to Australia within the last 10 years, and are a domestic undergraduate student at the ANU, then you could participate in an exciting new randomized control trial aimed at enhancing student employability and job-seeking outcomes.  

To learn more about the trial and how you can get involved, follow this link below to access an information statement and a short opt-in consent form. 

Learn more: Looking to boost your career prospects in Australia 

ANUOK is the official safety and wellbeing app for our ANU community.

The app features include quick access to ANU Security, emergency information and current alerts, safety tools, a campus map and other personal support resources.

All students should download the ANUOK App.

Make sure you turn on push notifications to stay informed about news that affects our community.

Download ANUOK on Google Play

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Help is available if you need it. If you are dealing with a personal or University-related issue, ANU encourages you to seek support through the 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.