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Staff Edition
Thursday 30 July
All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU staff.
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O-Week has brought campus tours, information stalls and welcome events to campus this week. Thank you to everyone who helped deliver it, and welcome to all our new students.
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- Information sessions on the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence continue until Wednesday 5 August. Register here.
- Know someone in the ANU community who deserves to be recognised as the ACT Australian of the Year? Nominate them here by Friday 31 July.
- From Monday 3 August, Fellows Cafe and Beer Garden will reopen ahead of the full reopening of University House on Friday 14 August. Enjoy the refurbished café, bar and lounge, or relax with lunch or drinks in the beer garden.
- University House prepares to reopen to the public in August and the website and booking contacts are now live.
- Free flu shots are available for all staff to support a healthy campus this winter.
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Have your say on enterprise bargaining
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Information sessions for staff will be held over the coming weeks, both in person and online. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the bargaining process, discuss the current Enterprise Agreement and share feedback on what is working well, what could be improved and what the University should prioritise during bargaining.
Session dates, locations and registration details are available on the Enterprise Bargaining webpage.
Staff can also provide feedback or ask questions at any time by emailing enterprise.bargaining@anu.edu.au.
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Call for interviews: Supporting first-year students at ANU
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Are you a course convener, teacher of a first-year subject, or a professional staff member who supports first-year students?
Current academic and professional staff are invited to take part in a one-on-one interview to share their experiences supporting students in their first year at university.
The findings will help inform future programs that support staff and students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds at ANU. Participants will receive ANU-branded merchandise as a thank you for their time.
This research has been approved by the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee (2026/0360).
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Video: Celebrating 80 years of ANU. Thumbnail: ANU
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Last chance to share your photos and stories for a chance to win an ANU merchandise pack
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There's still time to share a photo and reflection about what ANU means to you. Your stories will help us celebrate the people, places and experiences that have shaped Australia's national university over the past 80 years.
Submit your photo and reflection via the form before entries close tomorrow for your chance to win one of five ANU merchandise packs.
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Register for Community Day and go in the draw to win
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Register for ANU Community Day on Saturday 15 August and you'll automatically go into the draw to win a two-night stay at the newly restored University House, including dinner for two. Three runners-up will each receive dinner for two.
There will be food trucks and fun activities for all ages, so bring your family, wander through the campus, and meet the people and ideas that have shaped the nation. Come celebrate 80 years together. Everyone is welcome.
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Explore the new 80 Years Together website
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The new 80 Years Together website has launched, celebrating the University's rich history and the people, discoveries and milestones that have shaped the University over the past eight decades.
Help celebrate the University's 80th anniversary by volunteering at ANU Community Day, where we'll welcome the wider community to campus for a day of discovery and creativity. Staff volunteers are needed for roles including wayfinding, customer experience and event support. Volunteers will receive TOIL, food vouchers and ANU merchandise. Shifts are available from 7am–12.30 pm, 11.30am–5pm and 12.30–6pm.
Download the volunteer form and email your completed application to events@anu.edu.au.
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Our buses, Molly and Nugget, will be running circuits around the campus and dropping visitors off at important locations to enjoy ANU Community Day attractions around the campus.
Bus stops include:
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- University House
- ANU School of Art and Design, FUSE Glass Prize 2026 exhibit
- Creativity Unleashed and the Discovery Zone
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The circuit takes about 25 minutes to complete, and the bus will pass through each stop every 10-15 minutes.
While the buses will simply be known as the ANU Tour on the day, the University's tour buses have been given two honorary names inspired by ANU history. Nugget recognises H.C. "Nugget" Coombs, who played a pivotal role in shaping ANU from its earliest days and later served as Chancellor. Molly honours Mary "Molly" Bouquet, whose decades of dedicated service helped support generations of ANU staff and students during the University's formative years.
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Take part in Anniversary Trivia
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This week's trivia question:
What is the ANU Motto?
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Congratulations to our recent trivia winners, staff winner, Dr Seethalakshmi Kayanattath and student winner, Sivven Oung. Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize.
Last week’s question and answer:
How many Nobel Laureates are associated with ANU? Answer: 6
Did you know? The University’s first Nobel Laureate was former Chancellor Lord Howard Florey, whose work helped turn penicillin into the life-saving medicine used around the world today.
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The story behind an award-winning PhD team
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Associate Professor Jamie Hicks reflects on mentoring the 2025 Vice-Chancellor's Award-winning PhD student team, sharing how rewarding it has been to see their passion, collaboration and hard work recognised. The award-winning team includes Rebecca Majchrzak, Li Feng Lim and Santhanalaxmi Kumaresan, and has since grown to welcome Flynn Attard and Brett Schwartz. Jamie describes the award as a celebration of student-led innovation and says it has been inspiring to watch the team continue to grow and build on its success.
Nominations for the 2026 Vice-Chancellor's Awards close on 3 August. Submit your nomination by emailing awards@anu.edu.au.
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Photo: World Economic Forum
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From AI world models to destruction of forever chemicals: the technologies to watch
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Which emerging technologies could soon become part of everyday life? ANU expert Professor Katherine Daniell unpacks the innovations attracting global attention, and the questions they raise.
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All the dirt on ANU Green
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Want the organic tea on environmental sustainability at ANU?
Follow ANU Green on Instagram and join the ANU Green Network on Teams for events, tips, second hand swaps and campus sustainability updates.
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ANU team named Eureka Prize finalist for life-saving forensic drug detection
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The ANU Testing Traces team has been named a finalist in the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for pioneering forensic chemistry research that is rapidly identifying dangerous new drugs and helping protect communities from emerging drug threats.
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Senior leadership updates
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Director, Research Services
Director, Research Services is responsible for leading research support services, governance and major interdisciplinary initiatives to strengthen the national and international research profile, and advance University‑wide strategies for research excellence.
Applications close on Sunday 23 August 2026, 11.55pm AEST.
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Photo: Headspace Australia
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Making Room for Connection
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Join the Headspace University Support Program for a special Loneliness Awareness Week edition of Real Talk. Explore practical ways to foster connection, strengthen belonging, and have supportive conversations within university communities.
Staff can attend either session on Tuesday 4 August, 11am–12pm or Thursday 6 August, 1–2pm.
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Build your GIS mapping skills with free CartoGIS training
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Looking to develop your mapping and spatial analysis skills? CartoGIS Services is offering a range of free geographic information system GIS training sessions for ANU HDR and postgraduate students throughout Semester 2.
Whether you're new to GIS or looking to expand your research capabilities, these sessions cover practical skills in creating, analysing and managing maps using industry-standard tools.
Visit the CartoGIS training webpage to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.
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The Australian census on Tuesday 11 August will include new questions about sexual orientation, sex recorded at birth and gender. “This is probably the most progressive census Australia has ever seen,’’ Dr Liz Allen, of POLIS, told Guardian Australia.
One Nation’s ability to set the alternate political agenda has arguably made it the unofficial federal opposition, according to Dr Jill Sheppard, of the School of Politics and International Relations. “The maths suggests there’s no way that One Nation becomes the official opposition in Australian politics. But right now, all we’re doing is talking about One Nation,’’ Dr Sheppard told the Conversation’s The making of One Nation podcast.
Over the past week, ANU experts spoke to the media about a range of issues, including Aboriginal poverty in the Pilbara, decarbonisation of the electricity supply, wildfires in France and Spain, migration, and telehealth ADHD assessments and prescriptions.
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Unplugged Education in the age of AI
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Monday 10 August, 12–2.30pm and Tuesday 11 August, 10am–12pm
How can hands-on learning make complex concepts like coding and AI easier to understand?
Join Tim Bell, Henry Hickman and Ben Swift to explore practical ways to teach abstract concepts through interactive experiences. Discover strategies for engaging students, sparking meaningful conversations about AI and large language models, and building understanding beyond the screen.
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2026 ANU CIW Forum | From Mao to Now
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Thursday 13 August, 5.30–7pm
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s death, an event that heralded dramatic change in the People’s Republic of China. This year’s CIW (China in the World) Forum reflects on Mao’s legacy across half a century of political, social and economic transformation in China. The Hon Tim Watts MP will deliver welcoming remarks.
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Book Launch: The Politics of Counter-Terror by Nicholas Chan
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Thursday 13 August, 5.30–7.30pm
Join Nicholas Chan for the launch of his new book, The Politics of Counter-Terror, which explores how Muslim-majority states navigate counter-terrorism, identity and religion. Drawing on Malaysia as a case study, the book offers fresh insights into the intersection of security, politics and Islam, challenging conventional perspectives on the Global War on Terror.
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Musica Viva presents Nicolas Altstaedt & Thomas Dunford
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Thursday 13 August, 7–9pm
Experience an evening of exceptional musicianship as acclaimed cellist Nicolas Altstaedt and celebrated lutenist Thomas Dunford perform together for the first time in Australia. Blending Baroque masterpieces with modern works by composers including Bach, Marais and Arvo Pärt, this Musica Viva concert promises a fresh and captivating take on classical music.
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Former Qantas CEO, Alan Joyce shares a candid account of his career leading one of Australia’s most recognisable brands, including navigating the Global Financial Crisis, industrial battles, intense public scrutiny, and the near collapse of aviation during COVID.
Thursday 30 July, 6–7pm
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One of Australia's leading political journalists and incisive cultural commentators, Amy Remeikis will be in conversation with Virginia Haussegger about her new book, Screw Nice, a powerful examination of how the politics of civility attempts to shut down debate.
Thursday 6 August, 6–7pm
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Acclaimed political thinker, John Keane explores the challenges facing democracy today. John will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh about his new book, Demagogues and Despots: Democracies on the Brink. The event is part of our ANU 80th celebrations and ANU Community Day.
Saturday 15 August, 11.30am–12.30pm
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Fresh fits have landed at Shop ANU
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Refresh your wardrobe with the latest ANU merch. New hoodies, tees and sweaters have just arrived at Shop ANU in Joplin Lane. Get yours while stocks last!
Find Shop ANU in Joplin Lane using the campus map.
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Four questions with Professor Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law
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How did you come to be at ANU?
I came to ANU to be at the heart of international law teaching, research and practice in Australia. Since its foundation, the ANU Law School has been a leader in the teaching of international law, fostering world-leading scholarship through the Centre for International and Public Law. Joining ANU gave me the opportunity to contribute to that work while being based in Canberra, where many of Australia's most significant government decisions on international law are made.
What are you most passionate about in your work?
Constantly thinking about the importance for Australia and the world of the global legal governance framework that is being interpreted, applied and developed on a daily basis and interpreting and analysing that for my students, the public and in my scholarship.
What is your favourite spot on campus and why?
Anywhere that there are coloured leaves during the autumn.
What makes you most proud about working at ANU?
The ability to make a real impact in my field by being at the ‘national university’ which allows me to teach, speak and write about international law both in Australia and globally knowing that ANU supports my work.
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This week’s picture was taken by Alumni Engagement Program Manager, Nurhadi Khan, who captured a nearby sunrise.
"A peaceful winter sunrise as golden light cuts through the morning mist, capturing one of those brief moments that makes an ordinary day feel extraordinary," says Nurhadi.
Got a photo you’re proud of? Send in your picture using this form and include a short description about why your snap is special to you.
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ANU Security – (02) 6125 2249
For life-threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security.
Media hotline – (02) 6125 7979
Contact the media hotline during business hours or email media@anu.edu.au for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our Experts Guide.
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Help is available if you need it. The University has a range of information and services that can be accessed by managers and staff.
Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek counselling support through the .
If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to developed by the team.
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The Australian National University, Canberra
ANU is a smoke-free campus, with all smoking products prohibited under the University’s Smoke-Free Policy.
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
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The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
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