Image: (ANU)

Surrounded by a crackle of sulfur-crested cockatoos (yes, that’s the collective noun), Dr Julia Penndorf sits on the grass holding a clipboard and a Tupperware container of seeds as the sun rises over ANU campus. It’s an adorable sight – but what is she up to? 

Working on the Clever Cockie Project, Dr Penndorf from the ANU Research School of Biology is tracking all the odd but fascinating behaviours that Sydney and Canberra cockatoos get up to in urban environments. 

The project has already found that cockies are adapting to living in cities in creative ways, including prising open garbage bins and backpacks, and wisely choosing human lunchtimes to forage in urban green areas. 

Read more: Clever cockies 

The University has invited the four community childcare centre operators to engage in exclusive negotiations about managing the two new childcare centres, set to open in January 2025.  

This approach values the existing providers' contributions and aims for consistency in staffing and care quality. Negotiations will begin in the week of 24 June, with the goal of reaching agreements by 22 July. 

We will continue to update you throughout the process. For more information, see our FAQs.

FAQS: Childcare negotiations

Tuesday 2 July, 5-6.30pm 
 
In this lecture, Minister Zin Mar Aung will explore the critical importance of international recognition and support for the National Unity Government of Myanmar as Myanmar strives for a peaceful and democratic future. She will also highlight the geopolitical dynamics influencing Myanmar's situation, emphasising the strategic roles of Western countries and the contrasting positions within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

Register now: Myanmar lecture 

Tuesday 2 July, 12-2pm 

Have you wondered how climate change and politics have impacted the availability of non-native food ingredients?

This workshop will examine historical, current and imagined future food and eating practices in Australia and Northern Sweden to answer this question. To participate, bring along an 'off-centre' ingredient, dish, or drink that is significant to you and share its story and taste with others. 

Register now: potluck workshop 

Thursday 4 July, 5.30-6.30pm 

This public lecture series, commemorating eminent number theorist Professor Kurt Mahler, will explore key ideas in number theory developed over the past two millennia. This year, Professor Matthew Emerton from the University of Chicago will deliver the lecture, drawing from ancient Greek geometry to explain fundamental concepts. 

Register now: the theory of numbers lecture 

Thursday 4 July, 5.30-7.30pm 

On July 4, the UK is due to go to the polls. This election is likely to put an end to fourteen years of Conservative Government. Join this expert panel for a discussion of the likely outcome and drivers of the 2024 General Election, a retrospective look at the key events of the last fourteen years in British politics, including Brexit and a look at what the future might hold under a new government. 

Register now: UK election panel  

Friday 19 July, 4pm 

Established in 1974, Bramley’s is the iconic social night for the Research School of Chemistry (RSC). The Bramley’s tradition has continued through the years, run by generations of RSC members. To honour 50 years of Bramley’s, the RSC is hosting a special gathering in the Innovation Space of the Birch Building for anyone associated with the RSC over the last 50 years. 

Registrations close Tuesday 2 July.  

Register now: Bramley’s 50th 

Thursday 4 July,6-7pm 

Join us for the memorial lecture in honour of Emeritus Professor Will Steffen, one of Australia’s most influential and respected climate scientists.  

Will left a significant legacy at ANU, as the former Director of ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, and the Inaugural Director of ANU Climate Institute. The inaugural lecture will be delivered by Professor Dr Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. 

Register now: Will Steffen lecture

Ongoing work to repair the more than 160 ANU buildings damaged during the January 2020 hailstorm is progressing well. Five more buildings will begin repairs in July 2024 and are planned to be completed by the end of the year.  

Additionally, work to repair Uni House is projected to end in September 2025.  

Please note that the ongoing repairs timeline is subject to weather. 

Thank you for your patience and focus on safety as we continue to learn, work and live alongside the restoration projects.  

Keep reading On Campus for future updates on hail remediation work. 

Image: NTEU protest (NTEU)

This message has been provided by the NTEU in accordance with clause 58.5 of the ANU Enterprise Agreement. 

“Your next pay increase takes effect on 4 July, when your pay will rise by another 2.5 per cent - making it a 5 per cent pay rise since the start of the year. This is part of a union-negotiated pay outcome that was won by union members taking action together and is among the highest in the sector.”  

Read the full NTEU statement here

From 2025, all ANU graduation ceremonies will be streamlined to a single week per year. This change will enhance the student graduation experience and address previous scheduling challenges. This change will affect the December 2024 graduation ceremony which will now take place from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025. 

As a result of this change, the 2025 ANU Open Day will be moved to Saturday, 29 March, and the graduation ceremony will take place from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025.  If you need to support a student, please refer to the FAQs that was developed by the graduations team. 

Please note: The July 2024 graduation ceremony will proceed as usual. 

Read more: Graduation changes 

The Division of Shared Services are pleased to inform you of two enhancements now available in employee self-service. The employee self-service page in HORUS now includes the ability to cancel leave and the ability for staff to submit their notification of resignation. Further information around this function is available at the HR systems updates page. 

ANU Continuing Education has delivered short community courses for more than 50 years. Learn a new language, discover philosophy, or explore the Renaissance through art. Classes begin Monday 22 July. See the course content and dates for the following upcoming courses. ANU Staff and students receive a 50 per cent discount when enrolling. 

Learn more: Community Education Courses 

ANU graduates will receive a 10 per cent discount on tuition fees for postgraduate programs commencing in Semester 2, 2024. Terms and conditions apply.  

Learn more: Postgraduate discount 

People and Culture are running drop-in sessions on Wednesday 3 July providing information on the staff development grants and funding initiatives offered by the University. These sessions detail the application process of the following grants: 

 

Attend in-person from 10.30-11.30am at Marie Reay Teaching Centre room 4.03, or 2-3pm via Teams. Registration is not required.  

Learn more: Staff grant info sessions 

The University is thrilled to announce its new student placement and career management platforms, InPlace and Career Central. These are both pivotal parts of a broader initiative to modernise our digital learning ecosystem as part of the ANU Digital Master Plan, and to implement the University’s new Employability Framework. 

InPlace will streamline the over 7,500 student placement applications our staff manage each year, while Career Central will simplify and improve the way we work with students and employers – enabling us to create better careers and employability skills pathways for our students. 

Read more: career and placement platforms

The University will commence operations of an internal mailroom service on Monday 1 July, led by the Division of Shared Services. The mailroom will operate out of Building 53, Garran Road. There will be no impact or change to the service you currently receive. Mail delivery and collection will continue to occur across campus with the same timing and cadence. 

For assistance with any day-to-day mail related enquiries, please email printingandmail@anu.edu.au. 

The Lennox Crossing car park will permanently close on 28 June 2024 to allow for construction of a new purpose-built childcare facility. Construction is expected to continue through the remainder of 2024.  

Learn more: carpark closure and alternative parking 

If you are dealing with a personal or work-related issue, including distress related to the conflict in Gaza and Israel, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

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