The VSS continues to run alongside the University’s formal change activities and offers eligible, approved continuing staff, a voluntary pathway to leave ANU. Applications from staff in areas currently undergoing formal change are open until 5pm, this Friday 12 September. Applications from areas not undergoing formal change close 5pm, Friday 26 September. Information about eligibility, how to express interest, a separation payment estimator, and a recording of the Zoom information session held on Wednesday 3 September are now available on the Renew ANU VSS webpage. 

As communicated previously, the formal consultation periods for the Academic Portfolio and Campus Environment Change Proposals closed last week. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback. In total, over 800 pieces of feedback were received on the Academic proposal and over 80 pieces of feedback were received on the Campus Environment proposal. Feedback is now being reviewed and carefully considered to help shape Change Implementation Plans. Please note, implementation dates are not confirmed but will be later than anticipated (originally 18 September for Campus Environment and 22 September for Academic Portfolio) due to the volume of feedback, extended consultation and to allow for consideration of VSS interest. All proposals, plans, recordings and FAQs are available on the Renew ANU website. 

The ANU Council is the governing body of the University and provides strategic oversight and direction for the entire institution. There is currently a casual vacancy open, until the term ends on 29 September 2026, for an Academic staff member. 

Nominations will close at 5pm (AEST) on Friday 19 September.  

If you are interested in finding out more about what a role on the Council involves, an information session will be held on Monday 15 September at 10am via Zoom. If you are interested in attending the session, please email the Returning Officer via returning.officer@anu.edu.au and a link will be sent to you. 

Learn more: Nominations open for casual Academic Staff member vacancy 

Australia must reform its Migration Program to meet pressing labour shortages and sustain long-term economic growth, according to experts from The Australian National University (ANU).   

On 2 September the Australian Government announced key details of its 2025–26 Migration Program.  

ANU Professor Alan Gamlen said fundamental problems need to be addressed. 

“Temporary migrants, such as students, graduates, and working holiday makers, now drive most skilled workforce growth,” he said.  

Read more: Changes needed to make Australia’s Migration Program fit for purpose 

Dr Thao Phan doesn’t claim to have a superhero origin story.  

“I’m not Steve Jobs,” she says. “I can’t pretend to have a neat or exceptional narrative that explains why and where I am today.” 

In a world where Big Tech innovations are heralded as inexorable and revolutionary, Phan wants to cut through the hype.  

“I don’t think there’s anything inevitable about where we are with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). We need to train ourselves out of the habit of searching for larger-than-life stories of linear progress,” she says.  

Read more: This ANU researcher is pulling back the curtain on Big Tech’s promises

Canberrans are being warned to prepare for a stronger grass pollen season in 2025, according to the Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast, run by The Australian National University (ANU) and AirHealth. 

Wetter soil, greener pastures, and forecasts of above-average spring rainfall are creating conditions that could drive grass growth and increase pollen levels across the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).  

“This year’s grass pollen season has the potential to be much stronger than 2024,” ANU Professor Simon Haberle said. 

Read more: Canberrans warned to brace for higher pollen levels 

In Tonga, yam or ufi is not just a tasty and nutritious vegetable, it also holds incredible cultural value. These starchy tubers are purchased for special occasions and even gifted to royalty.

Yams, and other root crops such as taro and cassava, form the basis of people’s diets in Tonga, and across the Pacific. Unlike rice and wheat, these staples don’t need to be imported, making them essential for the food security of the region.

Agriculture in the Pacific relies almost entirely on rainwater, and for centuries this rain has fallen seasonally. But these cycles are no longer so predictable.

Read more: The ANU team drought-proofing staple crops to improve Pacific food security

The University’s Human Resource Management System (HRMS) is being updated to strengthen functionality, security and the overall experience for staff.

This update, which is scheduled to go live on Monday 29 September, includes two key improvements: 

As a result, HORUS and the HRMS will be unavailable from 12pm Friday 26 September to 7am Monday 29 September.

If you are unsure if you are affected by this outage, or require additional information, please contact the HR Systems team by email HRSystems@anu.edu.au or by calling +61 2 6125 9622.

If you require assistance setting up for MFA access, see IT Knowledge - Multifactor Authentication (MFA) or contact the ANU Service Desk via the portal or by calling +61 2 6125 4321.

The mid-year checkpoint step for the annual Focus cycle was due on 31 July. If you haven't completed this step yet, please do so with your supervisor as soon as possible. Focus information and resources are available on the Focus SharePoint and ANU Focus website.  

We’re in the final week of nominations for the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards and there’s still time to shine a light on the people who have made a real impact. Maybe it’s a colleague who supported you during a tough time, a team that delivered something exceptional under pressure, or someone who brings steady leadership, positivity or care to your corner of the University. Whoever comes to mind, now’s the time to recognise them. Nominations close on Monday 15 September. It only takes a few minutes to submit a nomination, but the impact can last a lot longer. 

Learn more: Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor's Awards

Yesterday, the ANU and the Chancellor provided separate responses to the Senate Inquiry by way of a right of reply under Parliamentary Privilege.   

The ANU right of reply was sent by the Provost as the most senior ANU officer not the subject of adverse reflections arising from the Senate hearing.  

The ANU took the decision that it was not appropriate to respond in full to the adverse reflections at this time, while reserving our rights to provide a more fulsome response in due course. In particular, the University wanted to ensure that staff and students were not unduly subjected to political and public scrutiny that may cause a risk to their health and safety or otherwise undermine their privacy.  

The University referred to other inquiries currently underway which it did not wish to jeopardise, compromise or undermine including:   

The next step is for the Committee to determine the status of our submissions - as public or private documents. If the documents are made public by the Senate, we will make them available to our community.  

We recognise that the level of scrutiny on our University could be challenging. Help is available via the Employee Assistance Program.

What does it mean to live in a truly multicultural world?  

For the ANU School of Culture, History & Language, the answer comes alive at Immersia – a two-week festival where cultures aren’t just studied, but lived, felt and shared. 

In 2025, Immersia features more than 50 events across campus and Canberra, including a community-led Mongolian ger installation, Chai, Chat & Change with Australian Local Heroes, and screenings of Papua New Guinea’s first-ever feature film Tinpis Run. Hands-on workshops in Tibetan calligraphy, Japanese tea ceremonies, Buddhist philosophy and Lippan Indian clay art also invite participants to connect through creativity and tradition. 

“Immersia is about changing how we view multiculturalism. It’s not about showcasing – it’s about living it, together,” Immersia organisers say. 

Read more: Beyond the Festival Poster: The Spirit of Immersia 

Monday 15 September, 5.30–6.30pm  

Few Australians witnessed the Allied invasion of France in June 1944. Among them was war correspondent Chester Wilmot, who landed in a glider within hours of the D-Day assault. His book The Struggle for Europe (1952) became a bestseller and remains an influential account. Yet archival evidence shows Wilmot knowingly retained inaccuracies in his description of D-Day, despite being alerted to them at the time. 

In this seminar, Professor Andrew Stewart will explore the implications of that decision and how it has shaped historical memory of the Normandy campaign. 

Register here: War Studies Seminar Series: Chester Wilmot’s D-Day Memories 

Tuesday 16 September, 4–5.30pm 

In this Seminar Zhou Qi discusses the first Trump administration and its sharp departure in US policy toward China. Policymakers began labelling China and Russia as ‘revisionist competitors’, framing strategic competition with China as a primary concern for US national security. 

Register here: US Foreign Policy toward China and Sino-US Relations since the First Trump Administration 

Tuesday 16 September - Friday 19 September, 5–7pm 

This year marks 25 years since the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). While progress has been made, barriers to women’s political participation and gendered drivers of conflict remain. This student-led symposium features keynote speakers Helen Dalley Fisher, Afeeya Akhand and Tyagi and Asha Clementi, as well as student presentations exploring power, resistance, and emerging challenges along with opportunities to connect, and help advance, WPS goals. 

Register here: 25 Years of Women, Peace and Security: Power, Resistance and New Challenges  

Wednesday 17 September, 5.30–7.30pm 

Celebrate the Winner of the 2025 ANU School of Art & Design Drawing Prize at the exhibition's opening reception. The Drawing Prize showcases and celebrates the breadth and depth of drawing practice within the ANU School of Art & Design.  

The Prize is an annual event open to all current students enrolled in one or more courses in Semester 2 at the ANU School of Art & Design with a cash prize of $1,500. The exhibition continues until Friday 24 October. 

Read more: 2025 ANU School of Art & Design Drawing Prize: Winner's Announcement 

Thursday 18 September, 4–5.30pm 

This talk examines the rise of Maoist environmentalism in the People’s Republic of China during the later years of the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), set against the global awakening to environmental issues in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Register here: Maoist environmental protection in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution 

Saturday 20 September, 12pm – Sunday 21 September, 3pm 

This year’s theme is Building with Low-Code and No-Code Tools, making it easier than ever to turn your ideas into real prototypes. Form a team of three to four and work around the clock to create something amazing, then pitch it to a panel of founders, academics and industry leaders for your chance to win a share of the $2,000 cash prize pool. Registrations close 18 September.  

Register here: HackANU  

Monday 22 September, 8–9.30am  

Join ANU Green in celebrating World Car Free Day. Leave your car at home and walk, cycle or take public transport to get to campus. By making this small change together, we help reduce emissions, ease traffic congestion and create a healthier, more sustainable ANU. ANU Green will be going around campus to hand out free snacks to sustainable commuters. 

Monday 22 September, 6–8.30pm 

Join distinguished guest lecturer Ambeth Ocampo as he revisits the curious case of Jose E. Marco, showing how forgeries, myths and historical imagination acquire renewed significance in today’s age of fake news and disinformation. 

Register here: Forging the Filipino Nation: Jose E. Marco revisited 

The University now has a new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, Converge, available for staff counselling appointments. Staff can continue to access appointments through Assure or continue to complete eligible appointments through Relationships Australia Canberra and Regions.  
 
Learn more: Employee Assistance Program 

This week is ANU Health and Wellbeing Week. A guide detailing a range of resources, events and activities has been developed for ANU staff. The guide also contains ideas for activities or events you can organise locally within your areas. If you need further assistance or information, please contact Injury Management via injurymanagement@anu.edu.au 

Further information is also available on the Health and Wellbeing Sharepoint site. 

R U OK? Day is on Thursday 11 September and forms part of our Health and Wellbeing Week. Please remember to always check in with those around you and escalate any concerns to one of the ANU support services. You can find further information about all ANU support services in our Support Guide. 

Get ahead this mid-semester break with targeted Canvas workshops.  These sessions are specifically designed to help you refine mark management, strengthen student engagement strategies and plan assessments with confidence.  

Week 6: Managing your marks (8–12 September)  

Week 7: Engagement and interaction tools (15–18 September)  

 Need more help? Reach out via the Canvas support site.  

The new and improved Teaching Unavailability App is available for all full-time, part-time and casual teaching staff scheduled for teaching in Semester 1, 2026 to submit their teaching unavailability.  

Staff are required to submit their own teaching unavailability by COB, Friday 26 September 2025 to ensure accurate input into the class timetable. No action is needed if you are fully available during the semester. Visit the SharePoint site for more information and guidance. 

Come along to a Sustainable Commuting Fair and discover how easy and rewarding sustainable commuting can be.  

Explore active travel and public transport options at one of three Fairs to learn practical tips and understand how sustainable commuting benefits both you and the campus community. Drop by Kambri, chat with us and find new ways to make your everyday journeys healthier, cheaper and greener. Supported by Pedal Power, Transport Canberra, Mojo Cycles and SEE Change. 

Dates and Times: 

Location: Kambri precinct  

Can’t make it? Explore the Carbon Smart Commuting Guide for tips on sustainable transport to ANU. 

The 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Education recognise outstanding contributions to learning and teaching across ANU. Last month, the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) joined some of the recipients on campus to acknowledge their achievements. 

Learn more about the recipients and their work on the Learning and teaching website.  

ITS will be upgrading campus internet hardware, requiring two outages of around 15 minutes each during a maintenance window from 9pm–12am, Tuesday 16 September. This will affect all ANU internet services across the Acton campus and at our remote locations such as Mt. Stromlo and Sidings Springs Observatories. Please plan accordingly. 

The Student Disciplinary Framework Review (SDFR) Phase 1 consultation period is now complete. Feedback is under review and draft recommendations are being established. The Phase 2 consultation period is planned to commence in mid-October and will consist of the draft recommendations report opening for feedback. The recommendations report will then be finalised and made available at the end of 2025. 

In June, midway through Phase 1 consultation, an Interim Consultation Report was presented to the Project Board, capturing some key learnings that could be actioned before the draft recommendations report is released. 

Read more: Student Disciplinary Framework Review (SDFR) update 

Whether you’re managing team dynamics, giving feedback or navigating uncertainty, the Leadership in Practice Program equips you with practical, evidence-based strategies to: 

This is leadership support you can use right away.  

Learn more: Leadership in Practice Program  

Mandatory training has been streamlined to seven essential modules, and a new procedure has been launched with refresher training to support you. Take the first step today, complete your training, protect our community, and help build a safer, stronger University. 

Learn more: Starting the journey to training compliance  

Safety and Wellbeing are running the next WHS and Fieldwork Safety (WHSC07) course on Monday 22 September at 11am in the Research School of Biology - 46.S205 Eucalyptus Seminar Room.  

Attendance is a prerequisite to commencing fieldwork, and attendance in person is recommended. Registration for this session is available in HORUS by searching WHSC07. Please note this course is also mandatory for supervisors of anyone working in the field and is valid for five years. 

Fieldwork includes any work authorised by the University to be undertaken at an off-campus location and is external to a building or structure. It includes practical teaching and research activities carried out in the natural environment or community, away from the normal support networks of the University, and may involve work in remote areas. 

While in person attendance is recommended, participants can also join via Zoom.  

Applications are now open for the final round of the Professional Staff Scholarship Scheme. The scheme aims to advance the skills and knowledge of professional staff by financially supporting career development programs.  

Applications close on Friday 10 October. 

For any enquiries please contact HRD.Development@anu.edu.au. 

Learn more: Professional Staff Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) 

Most classes run for 50 minutes to allow changeover. Please begin five minutes past the hour and finish at five minutes to the hour. For example, a 9am class should begin at 9.05am and finish at 9.55am. Starting early or running late can impact students moving between classes and can interrupt Echo360 recordings. 

Questions or support: contact the IT Service Desk

ANU Security - (02) 6125 2249 

For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security.  

Media hotline 24/7 - (02) 6125 7979 

Contact the 24/7 media hotline for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our Experts Guide.  

Help is available if you need it. The University has a range of information and services that can be accessed by Managers and staff.  

Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek counselling support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to this guide developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing  team.