Image: Professor Mark Kenny and Doctor Marija Taflaga. Credit: ANU TV.

Professor Mark Kenny and Doctor Marija Taflaga break down the surprising results of the 2025 Australian federal election. The hosts of the ANU Democracy Sausage podcast discuss how Anthony Albanese's Labor party secured an unexpected victory despite criticism from progressives and how the Coalition under Peter Dutton misread the political landscape.

Image: Australian Parliament House Canberra. Photo: Andrew Meares/ANU.

ANU has a responsibility to contribute to public debate and share how our work improves innovation, understanding, democratic participation and prosperity in Australia and the world. During the recent 2025 federal election period over 100 ANU staff contributed their voices and expertise to the University's election coverage and media requests. 

ANU shared: 

What’s next?

As the Government now begins to form a new ministry and implement its election agenda, we will continue to contribute to the national conversation through our work, including the Australian Election Study, the Election Monitoring Survey Series and ongoing ANU Expert media commentary and policy engagement. 

Discover more: ANU election content 

Image: Natasha Tareen. Photo: ANU.

For Nat, art has always been more than a passion — it’s a lens through which she sees the world. But turning that passion and innovative perspective into a career? That was the challenge. 

Studying at ANU not only gave Nat the skills to refine her craft but also the confidence to navigate the art industry. Nat now works at ANU, but she is also preparing for a major milestone — her first solo exhibition. 

Read more: Faces of ANU, Natasha Tareen 

Image: Left to right, Niamh Brazil, Felix Greene, Ally Pitt, Emily Ezaki-Swain and Dhruv Hariharan. Photo: Provided.

This year, for the first time in multiple decades ANU secured both the champion and runner-up positions in the National Debating Championship, meaning the Grand Final featured exclusively ANU teams. Over 70 teams from various universities around Australia competed at the tournament, making it exceptionally uncommon for one university to claim both champion and runners-up.  

Champion Ally Pitt says "Since Covid we've been working really hard to build up the number of people we can send to major tournaments. Having two teams in the grand final speaks to the depth of talent among our younger society members, and while I'm finishing my degree this year, I'm really excited to see how they all keep succeeding in the future."

Congratulations to our champions Ally Pitt, Felix Greene and Emily Ezaki-Swain, and our runners-up Dhruv Hariharan, Nevan Serasundera and Dang Pham. 

Image: The Australian National University, Acton Campus, Canberra. Photo: Crystal Li/ANU.

We had an election over the weekend, and whilst there are still some seats to be confirmed, it is clear that Australia has made a decisive vote to return Labor for another three-year term. Here in the ACT, the Independents continue to make inroads and have strong support. And we are lucky to have so many elected politicians, across the political spectrum, who care about the ANU and about the higher education sector.

I also want to thank and acknowledge our own experts who have provided insights and analysis about the election, public policy and global conversations over the last few months as part of the ANU Election series. It’s been great to see the range of opinions and also show how much our expertise contributes to shaping and creating national conversations.

Read more: Update from the VC, 2025 election

The University is undertaking a review of its Student Disciplinary Framework as part of its commitment to promoting safety and wellbeing in our community.

In consultation with student representatives, internal and external experts, and members of ANU leadership, the Student Disciplinary Framework Review (SDFR) Project Board will provide oversight of the review.

The Project Board will consider how the University's disciplinary practices continue to adhere to regulatory requirements in a fair and equitable manner.

To learn more about this review, visit the SDFR Project Board page.

Congratulations to Haroro Ingram, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs Research Fellow, who has been named a 2025 Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation for his outstanding contributions to understanding political violence.

This International Composting Awareness Week (4-10 May) we're celebrating the work of our Landscape and Conservation Team. For 20 years, the team has transformed green waste into nutrient-rich compost through a closed-loop system that supports our landscapes across campus.  

From composting to conservation, their work plays a vital role in building a more sustainable campus. 

Read more: Celebrating composting at ANU

Wednesday 7 May, 5-6.30pm 

First Wednesday Connect is a regular monthly networking event that aims to encourage collaboration between Canberra based innovators. Hear from Canberra’s emerging entrepreneurs as they pitch their groundbreaking innovations that are placing Canberra on the map as a city of innovation. 

Register now: First Wednesday Connect

Tuesday 13 May, 4.30-6.30pm 

Thinking about postgraduate study? Attend a casual drop-in session designed for local professionals looking to take the next step in their careers. Connect with university staff to explore your study options, gain insights into specific programs and receive guidance on admissions, career outcomes and the application process. Get your burning questions answered in a relaxed and welcoming environment. 

Register now: Explore postgraduate study at ANU

Wednesday 14 May, 6pm  

Step into the layered dreamscapes of Inception — Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending masterpiece. This film follows lead character Dom Cobb and his team of expert dream infiltrators as they navigate a world where reality, memory and illusion are dangerously intertwined. This screening will be followed by a dynamic panel discussion with ANU experts and expert guests.  

Register now: Science, Art, Film: Inception

Wednesday 14 May, 6-7pm 

Award-winning biographer Judith Brett will be in conversation with Virginia Haussegger on her new book Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism and Body Politics. Beatrice Faust was the transformative feminist activist, writer and intellectual who founded the Women’s Electoral Lobby in Melbourne in 1972. She campaigned for abortion law reform and advocated feminism from the sexual revolution of the 1960s through to the neoliberal 1990s.  

Register now: Meet the author, Judith Brett

Monday 19 May, 6-7pm 

Geoff Raby will be in conversation with Allan Behm on the updated edition of his book China’s Grand Strategy and Australia’s Future in the New Global Order and his recent publication, Great Game On. The contest for Central Asia and Global Supremacy. Geoff was Australia’s ambassador to China (2007–11); ambassador to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (2003–05); and ambassador to the World Trade Organization (1998–2001). Since leaving government service he has been a regular columnist on China and Eurasia for The Australian Financial Review. 

Register now: Meet the author, Geoff Raby

New to ANU and studying coursework? The ANU Check-In Survey—our follow-up to the Welcome Survey—is now open. Check your ANU email for your personal invitation. Complete the survey and receive exclusive ANU-branded merch as a thank you! 

You can access more detailed information, including data from previous surveys here.

The Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) is a bi-annual international benchmarking survey that ANU uses to measure the quality of the research training and support current Higher Degree Research candidates receive. The survey data directly informs the way we deliver services to you and how they are prioritised. 

All PhD and MPhil students have received a unique link via their student email, with an invitation to participate. This confidential survey takes roughly 15 minutes to complete.  

You can access more detailed information, including data from previous surveys here.

During the week starting Monday 19 May, students can elect editors to the Board of Woroni. The primary responsibility of the editors is to oversee the production of Woroni, the University's official student publication, broadcasts of Woroni Radio and Woroni Photography and TV and to manage the affairs of the ANU Student Media Association.

Nominations are open for the positions of: 

Nominations close Friday 9 May at 5pm.  

Nominate now: Editors to the Board of Woroni

We have a new printing system at ANU. If you haven’t printed this semester, we recommend testing it out well before the exams. You can now print using many of the multi-function printers on campus. No need to queue up in the libraries for printing. Simply send your printouts to the ‘Print-At-ANU’ queue or use the PaperCut Web Portal and print anywhere. 

Learn more: Print, copy, scan

The ANUOK App has been updated so staff and students can now easily provide feedback on University services. Functioning the same as the online University Services Feedback Form, this app is available for compliments, complaints and suggestions to improve University service delivery.

Canvas, the University’s new learning management system (LMS) offers many exciting features to help make your learning experience quicker, easier and more streamlined. 

The transition of courses from the previous LMS to Canvas will start from Semester 2 2025, with a small number continuing in Wattle. Your College will advise you about which system your course is running in.  

Learn more: Canvas

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.