Sitting in her year seven science class at Methodist Ladies’ College in Melbourne, Susan Scott had long been fascinated by science.  

“I knew instinctively. I loved everything there was to learn about science and mathematics,” Susan, now a Distinguished Professor at the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics at ANU, says. 

Despite her enthusiasm for science and maths, 13-year-old Susan was disheartened as she knew it wasn’t common for women to pursue careers in these fields. But the advice of her teachers gave her the courage to go after what she wanted to do with her life. 

An academic and medical practitioner who has made significant contributions to healthcare is one of several members of the ANU community who were recognised in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours. 

Professor of Primary Care Reform, Michael Kidd was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) by Governor-General David Hurley for distinguished service in medical administration and community health, primary care leadership and tertiary education. 

Congratulations to all those in the ANU community who were recognised in this year's Honours.

Events & activities

Wednesday 14 June, 5.30-7.30pm

The ANU Pacific Institute, the ANU Pasifika Student Association and WWF-Australia present a special screening of a Special screening of season 3 premiere – Blue Foods and the Pacific Island Food Revolution. This episode connects nature with Pacific cuisines to promote the importance of healthy mangroves as a nature-based solution to climate change and a critical source of nutritionally and culturally important foods. 

Register for the screening of Blue Foods and the Pacific Island Food Revolution

Friday 16 June, 7.30-10pm 

ANU will screen the first session of the first Ashes Test in T2 Kambri this Friday. Cricket fans will meet at Symposium for some pre-match food and drinks followed by the first session of the 2023 Ashes. 

Registration essential.  

Register for the Ashes Test live screening 

Thursday 22 June, 6-7.30pm 

One of the lead architects of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal, Professor Tom Calma AO, will deliver the 2023 ANU Reconciliation Lecture.  

This year’s lecture is held in partnership with the University of Canberra, and the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Reconciliation will be announced on the evening.  

As Australians prepare to vote later this year on whether to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution, Professor Calma’s address is timely. 

Register for the ANU Reconciliation Lecture 2023

Wednesday 28 June, 6-7pm 

Bruce Wolpe will be in conversation with Mark Kenny on Bruce's new book Trump's Australia: How Trumpism changed Australia and the shocking consequences for us of a second term. Trump (or a Trumpist) could well win the 2024 US presidential election, and if he does, American democracy as we have known it will probably come to an end. Australia's best-informed commentator on US politics, Bruce Wolpe, sends a chilling warning about the implications for Australia. 

Register for the Meet the Author with Bruce Wolpe

7-16 July 

Across 10 days, artists, entrepreneurs and researchers will intersect to push the boundaries of what is possible. You’ll discover new, uncharted territories in innovation, art and science.

Uncharted Territory is Canberra's new arts and innovation festival celebrating creativity, experimentation and ground-breaking ideas. 

Read the upcoming events program for Uncharted Territory

Update - ANU Medical Centre procurement process

In August 2022, the University commenced a two-stage procurement process for a provider of primary health services at the ANU Medical Centre. In January 2023, we moved into the second stage to finalise a potential vendor. 

After a rigorous and thorough process, the University has decided not to progress with a vendor.  

Due to the challenging market and widespread demand for GPs, the University will keep the medical centre management in-house. Our remit is to expand service offerings to make the clinic more viable and to meet the needs of our diverse student community.  

The Medical Centre has already recruited an additional one full-time and one part-time GP and a sexual health nurse practitioner since the procurement process started last year. Recruitment efforts for additional GPs are ongoing, with a particular focus on increasing the diversity of medical officers.  

The Medical Centre is continuing to operate as normal. Staff and students can book online. 

We will keep our community routinely updated.

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Mandatory Safety Process Update for ANU Events

The Work, Health and Safety Handbook updates in chapter 3.5 stipulates that as an event organiser you have a legal responsibility to ensure your guests are offered a Visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan when attending an event on campus.

You must advise attendees via your ticketing, invitation or advertisement: "If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please contact the event organiser.” Included should be details to make contact with an event organiser to request this if required by an attendee.

Read the WHS Handbook Chapter 3.5 on Emergency Safety Management 

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Indigenous Cultural Awareness Workshop (EDHR06) 

Friday 16 June 

This half-day interactive workshop by Anaiwan man, Dave Widders, will provide staff at all levels with an introduction to Indigenous history and culture in Australia, and an opportunity to share and learn stories from personal and work experiences. Dave is an experienced presenter and is driven by a passion to make a positive difference for Aboriginal people and promote reconciliation. 

Register for the Indigenous Cultural Awareness Workshop 

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Unlocking Unconscious Bias Workshop (EDHR21) 

Monday 19 June  

This half-day interactive workshop will enable staff to uncover, highlight and minimise the negative impacts of unconscious bias in their decision-making, to be true equity and diversity champions. 

Register for the Unlocking Unconscious Bias Workshop 

Staff Giveaways 

Henry Rollins – Good To See You Tour  

We have a special giveaway for Henry Rollins’ Good To See You Tour on Tuesday 20 June.   

On the Good To See You tour Henry will faithfully recount the events of his life in the brief pre-COVID period since the last tour and when things got even stranger over the last few months. It's been an interesting time to say the least and he's got some great stories to tell. 

Two doubles passes are up for grabs for ANU staff members to win. Follow the instructions in the entry form to go into the draw and you could be one of the lucky winners!   

Competition closes at noon AEDT on Friday 16 June 2023. Terms and conditions apply. 

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ARC presents the Dark Side of the Moon live – 50th Anniversary Tour 

Join Australian Rock Collective (ARC) as they embark on a national tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of arguably the most successful concept album of all time, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. 

We have a special giveaway for ARC’s national tour on Sunday 25 June. 

Two doubles passes are up for grabs for ANU staff members to win. Follow the instructions in the entry form to go into the draw and you could be one of the lucky winners!   

Competition closes at noon AEDT on Friday 16 June 2023. Terms and conditions apply.

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Health, Safety and Wellbeing Training Calendar 

FREE in-person trainings by the Respectful Relationships Unit are available for all staff and students.  

Designed for ANU staff and students, discussion-based sessions will be run by the Respectful Relationships Unit (RRU) and Student Safety and Wellbeing Team (SSWT). 

You will learn more about what constitutes sexual violence, clarify the roles and pathways of support services and disclosure tools, gain practical skills for intervention, and join the ANU Ally Network through its Ally training as support for LGBTQIA+ communities experiences. 

Hear what previous attendees had to say:  

‘the training provides a useful strategy to interact in the situation…there are lots of support around campus that I can seek help if I cannot deal with the situation by myself’ and ‘a safe place to understand the different groups that make up LGBTQIA+ and ask questions.’ 

Register for the June sessions

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2023 Academic Promotion round – Call for applications 

The 2023 Academic Promotion round is now open from 1 June – 31 July 2023.  

The University’s academic promotion program recognises academic achievement, leadership and service through opportunities, development and career progression.  

Eligible academic staff are invited to apply. 

Apply for the 2023 Academic Promotion round

As a resident of the self-described Bush Capital, Olivia had long been wanting to find out more about the Indigenous connections with the land she lived on.

So she signed up for the Ngunnawal Night Tour at Mulligans Flat in Canberra to hear from Indigenous scientists about this environment. 

Olivia Congdon is Senior Science Writer at the ANU College of Science.