ANU proudly marks the start of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2025). This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’ and invites reflection on the enduring connection between past, present and future and how we can all play a role in building a more just and equitable Australia.  

Throughout the week, ANU will spotlight a range of events, initiatives and stories that support reconciliation. 

Learn more: National Reconciliation Week 2025  

There is a lot of misinformation still circulating campus about our finances and our financial sustainability. The reality is, we continue to spend more money than we earn and have been doing this year-on-year since the pandemic. I encourage our community to use the Renew ANU website as the place for reliable, relevant and timely information. If you still have questions, please reach out.

As you will have seen, the University has now released the ANU Renew Change Principles Implementation Plan, coupled with a timeline for possible future change. I know this is unsettling, and I know this period is tough. Our community has been asking for certainty, and the leadership and I discussed whether providing these dates would help provide more clarity or unease. On the balance, I wanted to provide this timeline, so you have the same working information as I do. The journey we are on is complex and hard, and although we have a final state – to be financially sustainable – there remain many choices as to how we get there. I am committed to continuing to work with our community to make these decisions together.

Read more: VC’s Update - The next steps in the conversation

The Semester 1 examination period will take place from Thursday 29 May to Saturday 14 June. Good luck with your final assessments.

Sometimes unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances can affect your ability to study or undertake assessments, but support is available. You can submit an Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) to notify the University of the difficulties you are experiencing and to request an assessment adjustment such as a deferred examination, assessment re-weighting, alternative assessment or altered assessment due date. Additionally, the Student Assessment (Coursework) policy and procedure offer essential guidance for navigating assessment tasks and adjustment processes. Students are encouraged to read these documents to understand and manage their academic responsibilities with confidence.

The ANU Library also offers pre-exam support with 24/7 access to study spaces, staff support and special 'sit down and study' sessions and drop-ins. View the full range of support services here.

Results for Semester 1 will be released on Thursday, 3 July. Results will be sent via text message and email and will also be available on ISIS from 3 pm.

Find out more here. Good luck!

In September 2024, the Vice-Chancellor and I commissioned a review into matters of gender of culture in the then ANU College and Health and Medicine. This was to better understand the culture, and to provide actionable recommendations for how we could improve the experiences of our staff and students.  The review was undertaken by Professor Christine Nixon. The final Report was released to the three Schools yesterday, and I want to thank the staff, students and former members of our community for engaging with Professor Nixon and providing your experiences and perspective. A copy of the full report, and next steps is now available to all staff on our website. 

You’ll see that many of the best-practice recommendations made by Professor Nixon suggest solutions that will improve the experience of everyone at ANU, not just people within the former College of Health and Medicine.

Read more: Message from the Provost on the Nixon Review report

Help shape how the University takes action on climate change, nature and the circular economy. Consultation is now open for the next iteration of the Environmental Sustainability Plan for 2026-2030. 

Register now for one of our in-person workshops this June or participate anytime online by viewing the explainer and summary slides, then share your feedback through an online form. 

Curious about progress so far? The 2024 ANU Environmental Sustainability Report is now online. See what happened last year in environmental sustainability at the ANU. 

Learn more: Community consultation for the next ANU Environmental Sustainability Plan. 

Image: Hannah Costello and Vanessa Brettell after winning the ACT local heroes award. Photo: supplied.

For many migrant and refugee women in Canberra, Stepping Stone Café is more than just a workplace - it’s a stepping stone to confidence, community, and a new life in Australia. Co-founded by ANU alumna Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello, the café provides a safe, supportive environment where women gain hands-on training, build friendships and develop skills in hospitality. What began as a small social enterprise has grown into a powerful force for inclusion - now nationally recognised with the 2025 Australian of the Year Local Heroes award.

Read more: Stepping Stone: the alumna-run café creating meals with meaning

Image: Students on MEF Study Tour. Photo: supplied.

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Applications are now open for the 2025 Mitsui Educational Foundation (MEF) Study Tour of Japan! This prestigious 21-day program offers Australian undergraduate students a unique opportunity to experience the culture, history, and innovation of Japan through a thoughtfully curated itinerary. The program offers participants a chance to stay with a Japanese family as part of a homestay, visit historical sites such as Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima and so much more!

Learn more: Applications open for 2025 MEF Study Tour of Japan

Friday 30 May, 4-5pm 

As part of National Reconciliation Week, you're invited to a unique 1-hour workshop celebrating Aboriginal culture through art and storytelling. Led by artist Jessy Currie, you'll learn the meaning of traditional Aboriginal symbols, create your own Dreamtime story, and paint it onto a wooden boomerang to take home. All materials are provided, including paints, brushes, and a symbol guide. 

Register here: Paint your Boomerang: an art journey that comes full circle

Friday 30 May, 7-8pm

Mount Stromlo Observatory in conjunction with the Canberra Astronomical Society invite you to attend our public observing nights of 2025. Come and see the craters of the moon, planets, and beautiful star clusters. Object visibility will vary depending on the night.

There will also be talks inside the Visitor Centre, along with warm drinks and food in the cafe. Bookings essential. 

Register here: Mt. Stromlo Public Astronomy Night 2025

Tuesday 3 June, 12.30-2 pm

Indonesia’s healthcare disparities persist due to everyday politics like clientelism, as shown in this study of three cities. It reveals how patronage distorts services, what protects health systems from political capture, and how context moderates clientelism’s effect on health outcomes.

Register here: Clientelism and Public Health: Explaining Variation in Healthcare Services in Three Indonesian Citie

Tuesday 3 June, Thursday 5 June, Tuesday 10 June and Thursday 12 June, 10am-4pm

Drop by the Community Connect Space (Copland Building) for a cozy, quiet spot to relax, read, or catch up on work.

This in-person event is perfect for those looking for a 'third space' away from home or work/study - a quiet space to escape the hustle and bustle of the exam period. Don't miss out on this opportunity to recharge and relax in a serene and cozy setting. See you there!

Read more: Community Connect Quiet Cafe Sessions

Wednesday 4 June, 6-7pm

Join internationally renowned epidemiologist Professor Raina MacIntyre as she discusses her powerful new book Vaccine Nation with infectious diseases expert Dr Sanjaya Senanayake. Explore the science behind vaccines, the rise of misinformation, and why restoring public trust in vaccination is more urgent than ever. 

Books will be available for signing from 5:30 pm.  

Register now: Meet the author: Raina MacIntyre

Wednesday 4 June, 6-9:30pm 

In a bleak 2027, Children of Men follows Theo and Julian as they escort a miraculously pregnant woman through a world unravelled by infertility and conflict. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity), the film explores themes of collapse, control, and hope. Join us after the screening for a discussion on population, migration, and protest, as part of the Science. Art. Film. series with the ANU Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.

Register here: Science. Art. Film. Children of Men

Friday 20 June, 2.30-4pm

Don’t miss this special lecture by visiting Japanese archaeologist Professor Hirofumi Kato, who will explore the ongoing struggle for the repatriation of Ainu ancestral remains and its significance in the broader context of Indigenous reconciliation. Despite official recognition in 2008, the Ainu people remain a marginalised Indigenous group in Japan, with a long history of dispossession and cultural erasure.

Professor Kato will reflect on the importance of Ainu-led involvement in all aspects of repatriation, urging the research community to take responsibility in addressing historical injustices. This timely and powerful talk invites us to consider the global implications of Indigenous repatriation and the shared responsibility for truth-telling and healing.

Register here: The Road of Reconciliation: Recovery of Rights, Indigenous Participation, and Responsibility of Academia

Image: ANU Emeritus Professor Chennupati Jagadish elected Royal Society Fellow. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU

For the past 35 years, Emeritus Professor Chennupati Jagadish has pioneered nanotechnology research at the Australian National University (ANU). But when speaking about his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, generosity and kindness are the focus.

Jagadish, the current President of the Australian Academy of Science, grew up in a small village in India and studied by the light of a kerosene lamp. Jagadish’s journey to becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society is shaped by passion, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for those who supported him along the way

Read more: Generosity and kindness, the hallmarks of top ANU scientific leader

Image: Robert Mahoney, Professor at the Research School of Engineering. ANU. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU

Two exceptional ANU scientists have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to science.

Professor Mark Howden and Professor Rob Mahony have been elected Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science. 

Read more: World class ANU scientists elected as Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science

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.