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Student Edition
Thursday 27 August
All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU students.
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Photos: Nic Vevers and Jamie Kidston/ANU
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That’s a wrap on National Science Week! We’ve been celebrating the curiosity, discovery and ideas that drive science and technology. Thanks to everyone who joined our many ANU-led National Science Week events, including activities at ANU Community Day.
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Support for those affected by Nepal flooding
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If you have loved ones in Nepal or the surrounding region, or are waiting for news, we understand this may be a distressing time, and that it may affect your studies as well as your wellbeing. Support is available.
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- Wellbeing support: ANU Counselling and the Student Safety and Wellbeing team offer free, confidential support for currently enrolled students, including person-centred and trauma informed services. The Student Safety and Wellbeing team can also help with financial support, including emergency grants. For after-hours support, the ANU 24/7 Wellbeing and Support Line is free and confidential. Call 1300 050 327 or text 0488 884 170.
- Academic support: If this is affecting your studies or your candidature, email urgent-student@anu.edu.au. The Dean of Students Office offers confidential, impartial advice and can help you navigate academic considerations. Call 02 6125 4184 or email dean.students@anu.edu.au.
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Please reach out if you need support. We're here for you.
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- Final reminder: Monday 31 August is the Census Date for Semester 2 2026. Visit our website for more information on Census Date, what it means for you and any actions you may need to take before the deadline.
- The National Youth STEM Summit runs in Canberra from 12 to 14 September for STEM undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates. Access and Equity Scholarships are available. Buy tickets here.
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Can you have your doctorate and eat it too?
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The tastiest annual tradition has returned in 2026. PhD students at the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences took their science into the kitchen for a chance to be crowned the winner of this year’s Bake Your PhD competition at the annual student conference, StuCon. Take a look at some of their creations.
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Photo: ANU College of Business and Economics
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Indonesia became this student’s classroom for economic policy
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Through a New Colombo Plan scholarship, ANU student Amber Chen spent a semester in Indonesia deepening her understanding of economic policy. The experience saw her undertake a major research project and work with a local development and climate think tank.
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National Student Safety Survey coming soon
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From Thursday 3 September, you should receive an invitation to participate in the 2026 National Student Safety Survey. Participation is voluntary and confidential, and you do not need to have experienced harm to take part. If you choose to participate, your voice can help make campuses safer for current and future students.
Support is available, including a free and confidential survey counselling line available 24 hours a day by calling 1800 572 224. To find out more, read the NSSS FAQs.
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Have your say on SSAF funding
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The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) supports more than 100 programs, clubs, events and services that enrich student life beyond the classroom.
The annual SSAF survey is your chance to have a say in how this funding is allocated and help shape the services and experiences available to students.
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The people, places and stories that shape ANU
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For 80 years, ANU has been shaped by the people who live, learn and work here. From Shivani Manek’s pride in a community that “values knowledge, collaboration, and creating positive change” to one contributor’s “love for our natural campus and caring for Country” and Penny Swan’s “four generations of Swans shaped by this University”, explore the stories that make ANU what it is.
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Photo: National Computational Infrastructure
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Safeguarding First Nations data sovereignty
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A multidisciplinary ANU team has developed a world-leading online catalogue to identify, preserve and present Indigenous-related research held across our University.
The Indigenous Data Initiative, from the ANU First Nations Portfolio, combines technical expertise with ethical responsibility to uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples to know about and make decisions over data held by ANU.
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Joint statement of the ANU and Dr Elizabeth Allen
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The University acknowledges Dr Liz Allen's standing within the University and her significant contribution to its governance, and to the Australian community. Dr Allen is a valued and integral member of the University.
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Photo: Andrea Izzotti/Adobe Stock
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Where does Australia fit in the world in a post-American future?
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What would Australia’s place in the world look like without America as the dominant global power?
In his latest book, Emeritus Professor Hugh White explores the challenges Australia faces in the age of Trump, as our traditional allyship with the US is in question, while China, India and Indonesia grow in influence.
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Step, pedal and win: get active this September
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Turn your daily commute, campus walks and runs into rewards with Get Active month. Every active commute and activity counts towards our weekly prize draw to win ANU Green merch and bike gear! There are two ways to enter:
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- join Strava: join the ANU Green Club and log your activities (we recommend to set a privacy zone around your address in settings), OR
- share on Instagram: post a story or photo of your commute or activity and tag ANU Green (@green_anu).
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Wear It Purple Day at ANU
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This Friday 28 August is Wear It Purple Day, an opportunity for the ANU community to show visible support for LGBTQIA+ people. You can wear purple, listen to queer experiences, learn how to be an effective ally, and support local LGBTQIA+ organisations and initiatives.
Explore the Colours of Courage resources, connect with Inclusive Communities or the ANU Queer* Department for students, or register for free LGBTIQA+ Ally Training.
Wear It Purple continues to exist because every young person deserves to feel safe, celebrated and empowered at school, at home, at work and in their community.
If you or someone you know is experiencing harmful behaviour including queerphobia, please reach out to the Student Safety and Wellbeing team or submit an identified or de-identified Harmful Behaviours Disclosure.
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Test your scam awareness for a chance to win
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This Scam Awareness Week, visit Cyber Sense on Instagram to hear four real stories from ScamWatch and learn how to Stop. Check. Protect.
Complete the quiz by Monday 31 August, 11.59pm for a chance to win one of six coffee voucher and Cyber Sense tumbler bundles, with staff and student average scores to be shared after the giveaway.
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Monday 14 September, 1-3pm
In recognition of Wear It Purple Day, Inclusive Communities is running free LGBTIQA+ ally training for staff and students. Learn practical ways to support LGBTQIA+ people and help create a more inclusive community.
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Open workshop: Gameful learning with CyberNations
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Friday 28 August, 10am–1pm
Lead a nation through crisis and compromise in a hands-on game exploring systems thinking, resilience and the trade-offs of collective leadership, with no gaming experience required.
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Kicking off the Coral Bell School Film Series
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Friday 28 August, 2–5pm
Wind down the week with curated monthly screenings designed to enrich academic and community life for ANU staff and students.
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Open workshop: Design thinking and visualisation 101
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Monday 31 August, 1–4pm
Learn to map problems, identify stakeholders and understand user experiences in a hands-on introduction to human-centred design, open to all students.
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The South China Sea Arbitral Award
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Tuesday 1 September, 5.30–7pm
This lecture examines the continuing significance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration and its impact on maritime governance and Indo-Pacific security.
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Thursday 3 September, 6–7pm
Joshua Black will join Andrew Leigh to discuss his new book, Performance Politics: Australian politicians and the stories they tell, an eye-opening look at how Australian politicians shape and reshape stories about their lives, ambitions and political careers.
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Thursday 10 September, 6–7pm
Historian and author James Curran will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno as they explore Curran’s new book, Grand Ambition: Paul Keating’s Global Vision for Australia. Written with conversations and never-before-seen documents from the archive, revisit Keating’s ambitions for Australia’s independence, security and identity.
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Meet Vance Lawrence, Senior Technical Officer (Chemistry Teaching)
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How did you come to be at ANU?
After seven years working at CSU-Bathurst (it was Mitchell CAE when I started there), I had graduated, but their university reorganisation was scaling back and moving my school to Wagga. I was successful in getting a position here at ANU with the then Department of Chemistry in The Faculties. 31 years later I can say it's been an "interesting time".
What are you most passionate about in your work?
Working with students to give them the best opportunity to have a go, make mistakes, and learn usable and hopefully employable skills. I had very supportive techo's during my undergraduate, so I know how valuable an understanding and helpful person in the labs can be.
What is your favourite spot on campus and why?
My truly favourite spot no longer exists. It was the verandah of Building 33, the Department of Chemistry, where you could sit out in the warmer months for lunch and morning tea with the trees providing shade. Or in the winter, move all the tables and chairs out of the lunchroom and have a BBQ with the staff and undergraduates under the shelter of the verandah.
Now, I'd have to say it's the various green spaces along Sullivans Creek and the Dickson wetlands where I have my lunch walk and get my head out of the laboratories.
What makes you most proud about working at ANU?
The great team of undergraduate focused Technical Officers I lead and the work we do to help the students get the best opportunity to learn.
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This week’s picture comes from Scene on Campus’ most prolific photographer, Alida Gyory, who captured this blue tree on Sullivans Creek.
“The ANU campus is a beautiful place to take a moment away from study or work, to recollect your thoughts, take a deep breath, and regain perspective. We’re surrounded by such beauty here on campus, which is great for mental health and wellbeing,” says Alida.
This blue tree on our Acton campus is part of the national Blue Tree Project, which uses blue-painted trees to encourage conversations about mental health. The trees serve as a reminder that it’s OK to speak up when you’re struggling and to check in on the people around you.
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.
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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.
For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security at (02) 6125 2249
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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
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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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