Today, Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell, alongside three other Vice-Chancellors, appeared before the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee to answer questions regarding the 'Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024'. In July 2024, ANU provided a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment. 

Read more: Vice-Chancellor's statement to the Senate Committee

The University's Smoke-Free Policy prohibits the use of all smoking products (tobacco product, herbal product, personal vaporiser or personal vaporiser product) on all ANU campuses, including residences, buildings, properties, grounds and study and workspaces.   

There is a range of support services available to assist in reducing or quitting smoking. You can also access counselling services through ANU, visit the ANU Medical Centre or talk to your own health care practitioner for support.   

Learn more: ANU is a smoke-free campus

The beginning of semester is an excellent time to ensure your safety tools and emergency information is up to date. By updating your current contact information within HORUS, the University is best equipped to offer timely support when required and communicate important information about your studies, related administrative processes and emergencies. Please follow these steps for updating personal details on HORUS. 

ANUOK is the official safety and well-being app for our ANU community. The app features include quick access to Security, emergency information and current alerts, safety tools, a campus map and other personal support resources.  

All staff should download the ANUOK App. Make sure you turn on push notifications to stay informed about what's happening that affects our community.  

Download ANUOK on Google Play  

Download ANUOK on the App Store  

Image: Dr Lara Gillan. Photo credit: Nic Vevers/ANU.

Saturday 10 August, 6-7.30pm

When Dr Lara Gillan visited Questacon as a child, she was too scared to drop into the infamous free fall. Now she’s returning to conquer her fears by doing something which is, in her words, “even more terrifying”.  

Dr Gillan is one of six ANU scientists performing at the Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition at Questacon for National Science Week. They’ve each worked with comedians to develop a talk about their research, billed as “80 per cent science, 20 per cent humour.”  

Dr Gillan is going outside of her comfort zone to help her loved ones, who know nothing about science, understand what she does every day.  

Read more: The serious buisness of funny science 

Tuesday 13 August, 5-7pm 

The dominant view shaping policies is that there is a zero-sum trade-off between economic relations and national security. In this lecture hosted by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, senior adviser in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Scott Kennedy will present an alternative framework that better manages economic relations with China while balancing one's national security interests. 

Register now: Calibrated Coupling lecture 

Wednesday 21 August 4.30-6pm – Thursday 22 August 3.30-5pm 

Partake in this year's highly anticipated Passmore Lecture Series with keynote speaker Professor Pamela Hieronymi. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with her insightful discussions on the philosophical problem of free will across. Lecture one will diagnose the philosophical problem of free will and lecture two offers the antidote by presenting the concept of evaluative control.  

Register now: Passmore Lecture Series 

Tuesday 13 August, 6-7pm 

Award-winning broadcaster and composer, Andrew Ford, will be in conversation with Malcolm Gillies on his new book The Shortest History of Music, an entertaining and thought-provoking trip through the fascinating history of music. 

Register now: MTA Andrew Ford 

Friday 16 August, 6-7pm 

Norman Swan will be in conversation with Laura Tingle on his new book, So You Want to Know What's Good for Your Kids? the ultimate parenting guide on what matters from birth to ten. 

Register now: MTA Norman Swan 

Friday 9 August, 8pm 

Celebrating 60 years of The Rolling Stones, four of Australia’s most electrifying rockstars are taking The Rolling Stones Revue back on the road to pay homage to the greatest rock ‘n roll band of all time. Book tickets via the registration link below to receive a 30 per cent discount.  

Register now: Rolling Stones Revue 

Image: ANU Campus. Photo credit: Tracey Nearmy/ANU

The ethics around humane exclusion for refugees, understanding why monarchies endure and the biodiversity impacts of plant invasion are among a number of ANU research projects that have received federal funding this week. 

The projects, led by 11 mid-career researchers at ANU, have been awarded a total of $11.8 million as part of the latest round of Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships. 

Read more: ANU wins $11.8 million in ARC Future Fellowships 

We are almost past the minuses and the days are starting to feel a little longer. The ACT does not have a gazetted public holiday for another eight weeks, so it is a good opportunity to use some leave to take a long weekend or a small break to re-charge and enjoy the end of winter. 

Planned leave is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, offering rest and rejuvenation that can enhance productivity and creativity, helping to prevent burnout and exhaustion from prolonged periods working without a break. Please take the time to discuss any leave plans with your supervisor. The University calendar sets out key semester dates that can assist you in planning to take a break, to support and promote a positive work-life balance. 

ANU has been recognised in the 2024 Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) Green Gown Awards with three nominations awarded as finalists.

To learn more contact belowzero@anu.edu.au for climate action and Thomas.biedermann@anu.edu.au for his work at the School of Cybernetics. 

For the past ten years students have been spending a cold winter night outside to raise awareness of homelessness and raise money for the Vinnies Home Visits Service. This is a local service providing aid for food, transport and medical costs for people in the surrounding suburbs of ANU.  

It’s time for ANU staff to get involved and build on the great work started by students. Join the staff team and spend Wednesday 14 August at the Vinnies On Campus Sleepout. Don’t miss the panel discussion on homelessness featuring experts, people with lived experience and the Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services, Rebecca Vassarotti.  

Learn more: Vinnies Sleepout 

The Disability Research Network is hosting its first showcase on November 18 to highlight the disability-related projects and research within the ANU community. The theme for the event is From the Margins to the Centre: Promoting Disability Research and Inclusion at ANU. The network is seeking expressions of interest from staff and students who would like to present using traditional and non-traditional formats.  

For any enquiries, please email laura.davy@anu.edu.au or molly.saunders@anu.edu.au. 

Expressions of interest are due by Friday 27 September, 5pm. 

Learn more: EOIs disability research showcase 

Take 5 minutes out of your day to develop your skills in productivity and leading change with Skills Coach. Log in to your free staff account using your U number email and your single sign on (SSO) password. 

For any enquiries or feedback please contact HRD.Development@anu.edu.au. 

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.