Image: Emeritus Professor Will Steffen. Photo: ANU

Emeritus Professor Will Steffen has been remembered as a “giant” of the scientific community at the inaugural lecture held in his name at ANU. 

Steffen, who passed away in January 2023, was one of Australia’s most influential and respected climate scientists. He also leaves behind a lasting legacy at ANU, as the former Director of the Fenner School of Environment and Society and the inaugural Director of the University’s Climate Change Institute.   

The lecture was delivered by his long-time collaborator Professor Johan Rockström from the University of Potsdam who fondly remembered Steffen not just as a brilliant scientist, but as a selfless mentor and gifted communicator. 

Read more: Inaugural Will Steffen lecture 

Image: Professor Rebekah Brown. Photo: David Fanner/ANU

Professor Rebekah Brown has recently joined ANU as Provost, overseeing the University’s academic mission, including advancing learning and teaching. Brown's new role is vital to ANU and its distinct national purpose, and she is excited to help the University fulfill its important national mission. “I knew it would be a privilege to be the provost of an organisation like this,” says Brown.  

Brown joins ANU after more than a decade in academic leadership at Monash University in Melbourne. She says while it was difficult to leave her team at Monash, she had achieved everything she set out to do.   

Read more: Meet the ANU leader creating change 

Image: Selina Walker. Photo: Supplied.

Thursday 18 July, 4-5.30pm 

Established in 2018 to spotlight Indigenous researchers and their work, this lecture series has become the University’s flagship event for National Reconciliation Week. It serves as a platform for advancing reconciliation, fostering meaningful dialogue, and addressing critical issues affecting Indigenous communities. 

We are proud to announce that this year’s lecture will be delivered by Ms Selina Walker a Ngunnawal woman, emerging elder, and proud granddaughter of Senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea OAM. Selina was awarded 2024 ACT Local Hero and is a Co-Chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council and a member of the Victims of Crime Justice Committee.

Register now: Reconciliation lecture 

Image: Three Minute Thesis 2023. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU.

Thursday 25 July, 6-8pm 

Imagine condensing hours, days, even years of complex research into a short, dynamic, presentation in front of an audience and expert panel. No pressure, right? It is often said that an 80,000-word thesis would take nine hours to read out loud, but these contestants have just three short minutes and a single PowerPoint slide to support them. The Three Minute Thesis grand final is a free, must-see event on the University's cultural calendar with huge cash prizes awarded on the night.  

Register now: Three Minute Thesis 

Wednesday 24 July, 6-8pm 

Economic exchange between countries has always involved risks but, since World War II, those risks have been managed under the US-led rules-based multilateral order, fostering globalisation that especially benefited East Asia. Today, this system faces threats from great power rivalry, outdated rules and protectionism. Explore these issues with Professor Shiro Armstrong from the Crawford School of Public Policy in the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. 

Register now: Weaponised economics lecture 

Monday 22 July, 5-6pm 
 
Join us for a lecture that will define and explore the double black box phenomenon, analyse its costs and benefits, and identifies ways that policymakers, military and intelligence officials and lawyers in democratic states can reap the advantages of advanced technologies without surrendering their rule of law values. 

Register now: Double black box lecture 

Thursday 25 July, 3-4pm

This information session for ANU staff introduces what is involved in becoming a consultant, how to professionally run personal consultancies under the University’s Paid Outside Work Policy and how ANU Enterprise can support you. 

Registrations close 24 July.  

Register now: How to become a consultant 

Monday 22 July, 6-7pm 

Cassandra Pybus will be in conversation with Mark McKenna on her new book A Very Secret Trade. The dark story of gentlemen collectors in Tasmania. 

Cassandra has uncovered one of the darkest and most carefully hidden secrets in Australia's colonial history. It is time we all knew the truth.

Register now: Meet the Author 

ANU is pleased to share the 2024-2026 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Recently endorsed by both Council and Reconciliation Australia, this third consecutive RAP embodies an unwavering commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on sacred land that was never ceded. 

The ANU vision for reconciliation is to create a supportive community on campus where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students feel welcome and that the diverse views and needs of members within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are respected and recognised. 

Learn more: RAP 

Chief Information Security Officer 

Advertising for our Chief Information Security Officer is now live. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) oversees cyber security leadership across the University, managing strategy, policy, programs, budgeting, risk management, assurance and compliance. Applications close on 4 August 2024 with the selection process to be finalised towards the end of 2024. Davidson Executive Search is partnering with ANU Executive Search on this recruitment process. 

Our sincere thanks to Shirley McCombe for assuming the role of Interim CISO while the search process is undertaken. 

This week ANU is hosting a town hall meeting for parents and all four community childcare centres. This event aims to address any concerns and provide updates on the ongoing negotiations regarding the new purpose-built childcare facilities. We hope to provide a detailed update on the progress of these discussions shortly and look forward to engaging with our community during the town hall.

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

The McMichael Award and Fellowship Program supports outstanding early and mid-career ANU researchers eager to find solutions to the challenges our globe faces due to climate change. A minimum of $30,000 will be offered to the successful applicant to contribute to their agreed-upon research over 12 months. 

Applications close Friday 16 August at 11:59pm.  

Learn more: McMichael Award 

Applications are now open for the Professional Staff Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) and the Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund (PSDEF). These grants aim to advance the skills and knowledge of professional staff by financially supporting short courses, conferences and career development programs.  

Dr Fiona Scotney, Director of the Tuckwell Scholarship program says, “Through the PSSS I completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. I have since shared my insights and made great contributions to my local team." 

Applications close Friday 9 August, 5pm. 

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

Applications for phase two of the ANU Strategic learning and teaching grants are now open. Following feedback received from the information sessions, a collaborative SharePoint site has been established to facilitate staff collaboration on grant projects. For any questions, please contact clt@anu.edu.au. 

Applications close Monday 5 August 2024.  

Learn more: Strategic learning and teaching grants

The ANU Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of our alumni who have made a profound impact on the world. These awards showcase the skills, passion and achievements that make ANU alumni leaders in the community.  

Whether it’s a friend, relative, student, colleague, or yourself, nominate someone exceptional for a 2025 ANU Alumni Award.  

Learn more: ANU Alumni Award 

The new Chair of the Staff Disability Network, Dr Dominique Dalla-Pozza, would like to welcome all staff with lived experience of disability, and supporters, to join the Staff Disability Network. The first meeting will be held on Monday 22 July, 3-4pm online and in person.  

Learn more: Staff Disability Network 

A new secure storage and sharing system has been launched by the Information Security Office. ANU SafeShare, developed in partnership with Australian start-up Cocoon Data, is now available for all ANU staff to use for the storage of sensitive or highly sensitive data, or sharing with external collaborators. The system is not a replacement for One Drive, which will continue to be used for most ANU information storage and all internal sharing.  

Learn more: ANU SafeShare

On June 14, a phishing campaign from a compromised ANU alumni account was detected. Impressively, out of over 11,000 emails, a significant number of people reported it and fewer than 20 users clicked the link, showcasing the university's cyber awareness. The Information Security Office have created detailed guidelines explaining how to report phishing emails.    

Learn more: Phishing guidelines 

The Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) eForm has been replaced with two new Microsoft Power apps. From 15 July, the new ‘Request for Assessment Adjustment’ is available in the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS), where students can request an assessment extension or an ECA. Selected ANU staff can access the ECA Admin app via the ECA Sharepoint Site.    

Learn more: Extenuating Circumstances Application 

Buy Nothing ANU is a new initiative that allows individuals to gift and receive clothes, furniture and other items to fellow students, staff and ANU residents.  

Celebrate this new initiative at the launch event, held at the Food Co-op on Monday 22 July, 4.30pm.  

Learn more: Buy Nothing ANU launch 

Free LinkedIn Learning: Unlocking Unconscious Bias 

Enhance your awareness and understanding of biases with a specialised LinkedIn Learning course created by People and Culture. Explore proven techniques to transform bias awareness into proactive decision-making strategies and equip yourself with invaluable skills to foster a more inclusive and equitable workplace. This course also offers an optional segment tailored for hiring managers, providing strategies to effectively address biases that may influence recruitment processes. 

LinkedIn Learning is free for ANU staff and you don't need a LinkedIn profile to use the platform. Get started with your ANU login. 

For additional requests or feedback email HRD.Development@anu.edu.au. 

Learn more: Unlocking Unconscious Bias 

If you are dealing with a personal or work-related issue, including distress related to the conflict in the Middle East, 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.