Spring has arrived, and our campus is putting on a show for the mid-semester break. Take some time to enjoy the outdoors, but keep an eye out for nesting wildlife and give animals plenty of space. If you see warning signs, take care and follow the advice provided.

Three ANU Law students travelled to Japan to take part in the University of Tokyo Law Summer School, joining students and legal professionals from around the world to explore global trends in corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions alongside.

The program offered a broader look at corporate law across Asia and Europe, as well as insights into Japanese law and legal practice.

Growing up in Orange, Lydianna Meade dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Now, with support from the Phillipa Weeks Scholarship in Law, she’s making that dream a reality at ANU.

The scholarship supports students from rural, regional and remote areas to study law at ANU, helping ease the financial pressure of moving away from home.

For Filipino-Australian writer Merlinda Bobis, the destruction of trees became a way of thinking about something much larger: how people, cultures and histories can be cut by violence, colonisation and displacement, and their remarkable capacity to survive.

It’s an idea at the heart of her latest novel, In the Name of the Trees, which won the Fiction Award at the 2026 ACT Literary Awards and has since been shortlisted for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Congratulations to ANU student and athlete Ben Eppelstun, who has been selected for the 2026 AIS Athlete Education Scholarship.

Ben is one of just 51 athletes across Australia to receive up to $5,000 towards their education through the program.

Delivered by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in partnership with the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, the scholarship helps high-performance athletes manage the demands of study alongside training and competition, and prepare for life beyond sport.

Since 2020, the program has supported 278 athletes with more than $850,000 in education funding.

Ahead of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the ANU National Security College hosted the Hon John Howard AC for a conversation about national security decision-making, Australia’s alliances and the changing geopolitics of the region.

As new ANU Chancellor Dr Gordon de Brouwer steps into the role of Chancellor at his alma mater, he reflects on what it means to be a national institution at this time in history.

“ANU has always been a pathbreaker – and still is leading edge on issues such as economics, science, the Asia-Pacific and national security.”

“I want to encourage knowledge-transfer and strengthen our role as the national university,” he says. “Truth and knowledge still matter.”

Today is R U OK? Day, a reminder that a conversation could change a life. This year’s message is ‘If you’re thinking it, ask R U OK? Any day.’

If you’ve noticed a change in someone or feel something isn’t quite right, trust your instincts, check in and take the time to listen. Regular, meaningful conversations can help prevent small things from becoming big things. Checking in regularly builds trust and makes it easier to talk about what’s really going on, so people know they have someone to turn to when they’re struggling.

You can access mental health support and contacts for ANU students if you need a little extra support. Mid-semester break is a chance to pause, recharge and take a break from study. If you can, make some time for yourself, whether that’s getting outside, catching up with friends, enjoying a hobby or simply taking a quiet day to rest so you come back feeling refreshed.

For more information and resources, read the Health, Safety and Wellbeing September and October newsletter or visit the R U OK? website for tips on starting a conversation and supporting someone who might be struggling.

Congratulations to this week’s Get Active ANU winners: Clare Canham, Zac McCutcheon, Guy Alder and Rizqa Adhary!

It’s not too late to join the challenge and go into next week’s prize draw. Turn your daily commute, campus walks and runs into rewards this September with Get Active ANU. Every walk, ride or run counts towards your chance to win weekly prizes.

The final quiz results were very close. Congratulations to the Cyber Sense Scam Awareness Week giveaway winners!

Staff: Haynes C, Nihaarika S, Kirsty W

Students: James O, Jia Y, Sharon R

Want to sharpen your scam-spotting skills? Complete Cyber Sense training and keep building your cyber security awareness.

You will have received an email invitation with your unique link to participate in the 2026 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS). 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.

Applications are open for the Plato Investment Management Scholarship for Women in Finance, offering $7,500 per year for up to two years to eligible continuing ANU finance students who identify as women.

The recipient may also have the opportunity to complete a paid internship with Plato Investment Management in Sydney.

Looking to build your knowledge and confidence around inclusion, respectful relationships and wellbeing? The Inclusive and Respectful Communities (IARC) team is running a series of workshops for students from Monday 14 September.

Sessions cover topics including: understanding gender-based violence and responding to disclosures, LGBTIQA+ ally training, understanding harmful behaviours and bystander intervention, and neuroaffirming practices.

All workshops will be held in person on the Acton campus, with online opportunities to follow later this year.

IARC is also seeking expressions of interest for a pilot workshop on trauma-informed practice. To register your interest, email respect@anu.edu.au.

Immersia returns next week with a packed program of events celebrating the cultures of Asia and the Pacific, including performances, workshops and immersive experiences across campus.

Thursday 16 September, 12–3pm

Get creative and bring a boomerang to life with Aaron Chatfield from Dreamtime Connections. This hands-on workshop invites participants to explore Indigenous art symbols, animal footprints and visual storytelling while painting a unique keepsake to take home.

Thursday 17 September, 1–2pm

Step inside the iconic Mongolian ger and discover the sights, sounds and traditions of Mongolia. Experience calligraphy, music, dance and wrestling in a celebration of the country’s rich culture, artistry and movement, all within a space designed for gathering, sharing and connection.

Thursday 17 September, 10.45am –11.45am

Get moving with a beginner-friendly fusion of Bollywood beats and Zumba led by Krisha Jilson from Zumba Zest Canberra. Enjoy catchy music, expressive moves and feel-good choreography while celebrating Indian culture, community and connection. No dance experience needed, just bring your energy and get ready to move.

Friday 18 September, 12–2pm

Experience Tibetan culture through calligraphy, traditional musical instruments, distinctive costumes and Gorshey, a traditional Tibetan circle dance. Presented in collaboration with the Tibetan Community of Canberra, this interactive showcase celebrates the stories, traditions and creative practices that continue to shape Tibetan cultural life today.

How did you come to be at ANU?

Through the ANU Digital Plan. Our digital transformation has an ambition to create accessible and inclusive digital experiences for students and staff. In 2022, ITS established a Digital Accessibility Practice to contribute to this ambition. Inspired by the University's values, commitment and user focused intentions of the Digital Plan I wanted to contribute and be part of this journey.

What are you most passionate about in your work?

Learning from staff and students with disability about their experiences at ANU, and collaborating with our talented community, accessibility stakeholders and IT colleagues to improve accessible experiences of work and study across the University.

What is your favourite spot on campus and why?

The Kambri Precinct offers a place of connection for me, whether I’m attending a cultural event or workshop, catching up with someone, grabbing a bite to eat or accessing a service, there’s always someone to connect with at Kambri.

What makes you most proud about working at ANU?

This role in Digital Accessibility has given me the opportunity to meet and work with a talented community of people who work and study with disability, and introduced me to people across the University who are strongly committed to making ANU a place where everyone can participate and thrive.

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