On Campus

Staff Edition

Tuesday 24 February

All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU staff. 

Student wearing a black bucket hat with “I ♥ UNI” embroidered on the front, smiling in a crowd.

Image: Thanks to the ANU community for creating a positive start to semester 1 for our students. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU.

The rundown – information you need at a glance

  • Democracy Sausage is at Badger & Co pub tonight, Tuesday 24 February, 6pm. Host Mark Kenny will be in conversation with Marija Taflaga, Jill Sheppard and Jason Koutsoukis. No registration required.
  • On Campus will be taking a break on Tuesday 10 March. We’ll be back the following week.
  • Dates for the 2026 Academic Promotion Information Sessions are now available.
  • Staff can attend the final open training session for the new Facilities Management System this Friday 27 February, ahead of next week’s launch. Ongoing training begins Monday, 2 March. Contact CE.FMS@anu.edu.au for more information.
  • Trial the ANU-Civic Loop Bus running on weekdays from 7.30am–7.30pm (excluding public holidays).

Signature events

Register to hear three Nobel Laureates take stage in Llewellyn Hall (pictured).

Photo: ANU.

Three Nobels. One Stage.

Monday 2 March, 6.30–7.30pm

Whether you are a student, educator, researcher, or simply curious about the world, this public lecture promises an unforgettable experience.

Bringing together three Nobel Laureates in medicine and physics, this event will celebrate discovery, curiosity and the future of science. Hosted by the multi-award-winning ABC journalist Natasha Mitchell.

Register here button linking to Three Nobels. One Stage.
Register here for International Women’s Day Panel-Women in Leadership: Balancing the Scales.

Photo: International Women's Day.

Women in Leadership: Balancing the Scales

Wednesday 11 March, 6–7pm

This panel bring together women whose leadership spans community advocacy and public life, exploring more equitable systems and opportunities across Australia.

Speakers include the Honourable Linda Burney and Dr Kim Jackson, with further panellists to be announced soon.

Register here button linking to Women in Leadership: Balancing the Scales.

Senior leadership updates

Appointment updates

Interim Director, Education Portfolio. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Bisshop-Witting as Interim Director, Education Portfolio, following a competitive internal process. Kate brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience at ANU, most recently as General Manager of the College of Science and Medicine. In this role, Kate will provide University‑wide leadership across our education system, bringing Education Portfolio functions together to deliver a connected and outcomes‑focused experience for students and staff.

Internal EOIs

Director, Research School of Earth Sciences. This is a unique opportunity for a senior leader to make a meaningful impact and guide the Research School of Earth Sciences through its next stage of growth and development. Expressions of interest close on Sunday 8 March, 11.55pm.

Learn more

Professional development

Staff seated in a lecture theatre, smiling and taking notes during a professional development session.

Photo: ANU.

People Manager Essentials

This half-day workshop teaches practical management tools. Sign up to grow as a manager, enhance your capabilities and build connections with colleagues who share similar challenges and goals.

Register today button linking to People Manager Essentials.

Professional Staff Development Schemes – Applications open

Looking to develop your skills and/or progress your career? Apply for the Professional Staff Scholarship Scheme and the Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund. These schemes offer funding support for formal study, professional development courses and external learning opportunities.

Applications close Friday 20 March, 11.59pm.

Learn more button linking to Supporting Development.

Bulletin

Host a College of Business and Economics (CBE) intern

Have a project that could benefit from fresh eyes? Interested in developing future professionals while progressing your priorities? CBE is seeking staff to host an intern in Semester 2. By hosting an intern, you’ll gain fresh perspectives, analytical capability, curiosity and innovative thinking. CBE interns are well suited to research, analysis and operational improvement initiatives.

Learn more button linking to Host an intern.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) employer statement

The WGEA will release median gender pay gaps on Tuesday 3 March, including average remuneration by gender across quartiles for all private sector organisations with 100 or more employees.

To understand the results in relation to ANU, please read the employer statement.

Staff consultation for WGEA gender equality target selection is open until early March, and includes focus groups, College and Division discussions, and an anonymous online survey.

Four images of human faces, with only one of them being real. Readers are encouraged to go to learn how technology is making it harder to people to tell the difference between AI generated and authentic photos.

Photo: Adobe Suite.

People are overconfident about spotting AI faces, study finds

While most people claim they can spot AI-generated faces, research from UNSW Sydney and ANU has demonstrated that advancing technology is making it harder.

Find out which of the faces above is real

Doctor using a stethoscope to examine a patient in a clinic room.

Photo: Obesity Action Coalition.

Tackling weight stigma in medicine

“Weight bias is negative attitudes, beliefs about, and behaviours towards people with larger bodies that is driven by negative stereotypes,” says Dr Joanne Rathbone, psychologist at the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, who studies the impacts of social stigma.

Her research includes finding interventions for reducing and unpacking weight bias in medical settings.

Learn more button linking to Breaking down biases: tackling weight stigma in medicine.
Graduate in cap and gown standing in front of a “Congratulations” banner.

Photo: ANU School of Culture, History and Language.

Natsukashii: A master’s, memories, and a medal

Lewis Tremayne, a Canberra local and graduate of the ANU School of Culture, History & Language, has been awarded a University Medal after completing his Master of Japanese Studies at ANU. His award-winning thesis on social media–driven tourism is now paving the way for him to pursue a PhD on Japanese society.

Learn more button linking to Natsukashii: A Master’s, Memories, and a Medal.
Woman speaking into a microphone outdoors, with trees blurred in the background.

Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU

Growing into questions and building a legacy of change

ANU alumna and social justice advocate Caitlin Figueiredo is focused on using her voice as a force for good. She wants people to know that life doesn’t just begin after you graduate.

Learn more button linking to Growing into questions and building a legacy of change.
Cyclist riding along a paved campus pathway lined with trees.

Photo: ANU Green.

Discover Cycle Smart this Wednesday in Kambri

Join ANU Green at their Sustainable Commuting Fair to explore carbon smart commuting options that support your health and help save you money. Learn more about Cycle Smart, a 10-week program designed to build cycling skills and confidence.

Wednesday 25 February, 11am–1pm in Kambri.

Learn more button linking to Discover Cycle Smart this Wednesday at Kambri.
Swimmer in cap and goggles bracing against the pool edge during training.

Photo: ANU Sport.

Learn to Swim short course for adults

ANU Sport, in collaboration with Club Lime and ANU Student Life, are delivering the Adult Learn to Swim short course, starting on Monday 2 March.

Build your confidence in the water with five lessons over five weeks with qualified swimming instructors.

Register today button linking to Learn to Swim.

Join the Movement Challenge

Get fit and have fun by joining The Movement Challenge starting Monday 2 March. Form a team of 3–10 colleagues and get involved.

Run by Assure, the University's Employee Assistance Program provider, this challenge aims to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of ANU staff.

Learn more button linking to The Movement Challenge - Assure
Children competing for a football during an outdoor game, with a coach nearby.

Photo: Australian Sport Camps.

School holiday sports program – early bird offer

During the Term 1 school holidays, ANU Sport will host Australian Sports Camps, offering programs in AFL, Basketball, Netball, Rugby Union and Soccer.

Enrol before Sunday 15 March to receive a 30% discount.

Learn more button linking to Sports Camps In Canberra
Person arranging clothing on a retail display wall with shelves of clothing and merchandise.

Photo: Shop ANU.

Shop ANU now open

A new home for official ANU merchandise is now open on Joplin Lane. Operating Monday to Friday, 10am–3pm, and stocking clothing, stationery, gifts and student essentials. Drop in between classes, meetings or campus events.

For enquiries, contact shopANUenquiries@anu.edu.au

ANU in the news 

  • ABC News: PhD student Paul Elton gives insight into the government’s silence on spending that could be harmful to Australia’s biodiversity.
  • ABC Listen: Professor Don Rothwell discusses the validity of US President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace.
  • The New Daily: Professor Martyn Kirk highlights misinformation and disinformation about vaccines amid rising measles cases.

What's on

Democracy Sausage live show tonight

Tuesday 24 February, 6pm 

Be part of a live recording of Democracy Sausage at Badger & Co pub. Host Mark Kenny will be in conversation with Marija Taflaga, Jill Sheppard and Jason Koutsoukis.

No registration required, just show up.

Drag Queens on "Make a Diva"

Thursday 5 March, 4–5.30pm

This talk explores how humour and teasing shape the performance of femininity and Taiwanese local identity in Make a Diva, a YouTube drag competition featuring Taiwanese drag queens.

Register here button linking to Performing Femininity, (De)Localness and Humour: Drag Queens on

Radical conservatism and US foreign policy

Friday 6 March, 12–1pm

Professor Michael Williams discusses how modern geopolitics empowers radical conservative actors at home, underpin transnational strategies abroad and restructure international order.

Register here button linking to Constructing the Civilizational State: Radical conservatism and US foreign policy.

Future of War seminar series

Wednesday 11 March, 12–1pm

Join Senior Lecturer Sarah Logan for a seminar exploring how AI and automated systems are reshaping decisions about war, and what accountability could look like in an age of intelligent machines.

Register here button linking to Future of War seminar series.

Meet the Author

Book cover of Like, Follow, Die.

Meet the Author – Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Tuesday 24 February, 6–7pm

Register here button linking to Meet the Author – Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Book cover of The Shortest History of Innovation by Andrew Leigh, with bold pink title text on a yellow background.

Meet the Author – Andrew Leigh

Thursday 26 February, 6–7pm

Register here button linking to Meet the Author – Andrew Leigh

More upcoming events

  • Meet the Author – Louise Milligan – Wednesday 4 March, 6–7pm
  • Meet the Author – Amy Remeikis – Tuesday 10 March, 6–7pm
Banner image linking to Experience ANU.

Before you go

Download the ANUOK app to access security, alerts and campus support services quickly.

Photo: Bryant Evans/ANU.

Don’t forget to download the ANUOK app

ANUOK is the official safety and wellbeing app for the ANU community, with quick access to security, alerts, support services and campus maps.

Android Download button linking to ANUOK app download for Android.
iPhone Download button linking to ANUOK app download for iPhone.

Mandatory electrical testing across campus

Mandatory testing of the University’s electrical network will take place on Saturday 21 March, 6am–4pm. Exceptions include:

  • Building 160 – New Physics Building
  • SA8 Yukeembruk Village Buildings (164, 165, 166, 167, 167A, 167B and 168)
  • the New Energy Centre, NCI Stage 2

Backup systems will operate during this time. In the unlikely event of a fault, power outages could be widespread and take time to restore.

Contact FixMyCampus.fs@anu.edu.au or your Building Custodian regarding any potential impacts on essential operations in your area.

Thanks to everyone who observed Council

Over 70 of you attended the observer session at Council last week and we appreciated your participation and feedback. A few issues were experienced with accessing Zoom for some members of our community, and we’re working to resolve these ahead of the next session on Friday 24 April.

Bharadwaj Pulam, a PhD candidate in Materials Engineering, photographed outside the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Image: Bharadwaj Pula is completing a PhD in Materials Engineering at ANU. Photo: Bryant Evans/ANU.

Three questions with Bharadwaj Pula

How did you come to be at ANU?

“I was drawn to ANU by the strong culture of interdisciplinary research and the pioneering work of the Electrochemical Systems and Innovation Research Group. It felt like the right place to pursue my PhD while contributing to clean-energy solutions with global impact.”

What are you most passionate about in your work?

“I am driven by deep curiosity and the excitement of solving complex material and electrochemical challenges, especially when they lead to practical renewable-hydrogen technologies. It’s exciting to know my PhD work can make a real contribution to decarbonising energy systems globally.”

What is your favourite spot on campus and why?

“Sullivan's Creek near South Oval is my favourite spot. Sitting there with a view of the Telstra Tower is my favourite way to unwind and think.”

Know someone with a great story to tell? Email the On Campus team at on.campus@anu.edu.au

A close-up of a curious cockatoo perched on a wooden bench, its beak and eye filling the frame.

Photo: Vanessa Galloway.

Scene on our campus: Curious Gang-gang

This week’s picture comes from Vanessa Galloway, Library Services Coordinator, who captured this extreme close-up of a Gang-gang Cockatoo.

“Gang-gang cockatoos are less conspicuous than other cockatoos, and hard to spot, but if you listen out for their unique calls you might be lucky enough to spot one. They are currently listed as endangered and are the faunal emblem of the ACT. I feel very lucky to hear and sometimes see them on our beautiful campus.”

Got a photo you’re proud of? Send in your picture using this form and include a short description about why your snap is special to you.

Key contacts

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 – (02) 6125 7979 

Contact the media hotline during business hours or email media@anu.edu.au for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our Experts Guide.

Do you need support?

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.

 

The Australian National University, Canberra 

ANU is a smoke-free campus, with all smoking products prohibited under the University’s Smoke-Free Policy.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

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