On Campus

Staff Edition

Thursday 23 July

All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU staff. 

Scenes from the O-Week welcome in Llewellyn Hall, showing a Welcome to Country, an addresses to new students by Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown and Acting Provost and Senior Vice-President Professor Joan Leach.

Photos: Jamie Kidston/ANU

ANU welcomed new students to campus this week as Semester 2 Orientation Week got underway, with hundreds gathering in Llewellyn Hall for the New Student Address. Ngambri-Kamberri Elder Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams OAM opened proceedings with a Welcome to Country, followed by addresses from Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown and Acting Provost and Senior Vice-President Professor Joan Leach.

At a glance

  • At 2pm on Monday 27 July, all compatible mobile phones will emit a loud siren for 10 seconds as part of a national AusAlert test. This is a test only; no action is required.
  • Complete your 2026 Focus mid-year Checkpoint by Friday 31 July. Learn more.
  • Information sessions on the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence continue until Wednesday 5 August. Register here. 
  • Free flu shots are available for all staff to support a healthy campus this winter.

Enterprise bargaining

ANU sign

Photo: ANU

The University has issued the Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) to staff, formally commencing the enterprise bargaining process.

Staff can provide feedback, comments or suggestions about the current Enterprise Agreement and the issues they consider important for the next agreement at any time by emailing enterprise.bargaining@anu.edu.au.

Further information about enterprise bargaining, including a copy of the NERR, is available on the Enterprise Bargaining webpage.

Bulletin

Illustration of a bus with route update details: Crawford School and John XXIII stops out of service, Yukeembruk and Wamburun stops returning. ANU Green branding.

Graphic: ANU Green

ANU-Civic Loop bus route update

From Monday 27 July, the ANU-Civic Loop Bus will return to Yukeembruk Village and Wamburun Hall, as the pilot continues to test different routes. The Crawford School stop and Daley Road stop outside John XXIII will no longer be in service from this date.

Check the latest route map and service updates on the ANU website.

ANU statement, policy and procedure on sexual misconduct and gender-based violence

The ANU Statement for the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence, Prevention (and Response) of Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence Policy, and Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence Response (Student) Procedure have been updated.

The changes respond to recommendations from the Student Discipline Framework Review, improve alignment with the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, and clarify the support, disclosure and reporting options available to students affected by sexual misconduct and gender-based violence.

Staff are invited to provide feedback through the open feedback mechanism until November to help inform the next review, scheduled for late 2026.

Give feedback button linking to Updated ANU Statement, Policy and Procedure on sexual misconduct and gender-based violence.
Four people walk toward a scenic mountain sunrise with a

Video: Celebrating eighty years of ANU. Thumbnail: ANU 

Share your photos and stories for a chance to win an ANU merchandise pack

Share a photo and a reflection of what ANU means to you. Your photos and stories will help celebrate the people and experiences that have shaped Australia's national university over the past 80 years. Submit your story and photo via this form and learn more about how they will be used to celebrate our 80th milestone.  

Register for Community Day and go in the draw to win

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.

Register now button linking to ANU Community Day.

Take part in Anniversary Trivia 

This week's trivia question: 

How many Nobel laureates are associated with ANU?

Take quiz button linking to quiz.

Congratulations to our recent trivia winners, staff winner, Vivian Wong and student winner, Daniel Foster. Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize. 

Last week’s question and answer: 

When was the Drill Hall Gallery remodelled as an art gallery? 1984 

Did you know? The Drill Hall, originally built in 1940 as a military training facility, had its interior remodelled into an art gallery in 1984, before ANU took over its management in 1992.

Image of University House Beer Garden

Photo: ANU

Fellows Cafe and Beer Garden reopens

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.

Hours

  • Week of 3 August: Monday–Friday, 11am–8pm
  • Week of 10 August: Monday–Friday, 7am–8pm
  • Weekends: Saturday–Sunday, 7.30–10am
Michael Jackson’s Thriller album cover leans against a stack of records, with a black vinyl record resting on top.

Photo: Lischinskiy Vitaliy/Shutterstock

Can you separate the music from the musician?

Every few years, debate around Michael Jackson resurfaces. With the release of the Michael biopic and Netflix’s Michael Jackson: The Verdict, so too does the question that reaches far beyond just one artist: can we separate the music from the musician?

Two ANU experts, Senior Lecturer Kristin McGee and Professor Garrett Cullity, say the answer is more complicated than choosing whether to play or skip a song.

Learn more button linking to Can you separate the music from the musician?
Banner image linking to ANU Reporter.

Senior leadership updates 

Applications open

Director, School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet)

Director, School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) is responsible for the overall operational management, research and educational leadership of the RegNet School, consistent with the strategic plan of the School, College and ANU. RegNet is a world-class academic centre renowned for its pioneering research and education on regulation and governance. Applications close on Sunday 26 July, 11.55pm AEST.

Director National Computational Infrastructure (NCI)

Director, National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) will lead NCI’s strategic direction, national partnerships and workforce to deliver critical infrastructure and scientific impact across Australia. NCI is one of Australia's two Tier-1 high-performance data, storage and computing organisations, providing expert services to benefit all domains of science, government and industry. Applications will close on Sunday, 9 August, 11.55pm AEST.

Health and wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing Newsletter for July

The July edition of the ANU Health and Wellbeing Newsletter features a range of initiatives, resources and events to support staff health, wellbeing, resilience and financial wellbeing throughout the winter months.

Read more button linking to Health and Wellbeing Newsletter for July.

Stay active with social sport

No matter your fitness level or sporting experience, social sport is a great way to stay active, have fun and meet new people.

Break up your workday with weekly social competitions in soccer, 3x3 basketball and pickleball, all on campus.

Don't have a team? Sign up as an individual and we'll find one for you.

Sign up button linking to Stay active with social sport.

IT updates

Landline maintenance on 29 July

From Wednesday 29 July, 10pm to Thursday 30 July, 3am, our landline service provider, TPG/Vocus, will carry out planned maintenance. During this time, calls to and from ANU landline phones, including calls to Triple Zero (000), will be unavailable for up to one hour.

If you need emergency assistance during the outage, use the ANUOK app and tap Call Security to connect directly with UniSafe, available on campus 24/7. If you don't have access to the app, call ANU Security on 0459 767 776 using your personal mobile phone.

If you experience any issues after the maintenance, contact the ANU Service Desk on +61 2 6125 4321 during business hours or log a ticket through ANUConnect.

ANU experts in the media

An artificial intelligence agent broke out of a test environment and hacked a company, ABC News Radio reported. In an interview, Professor Colin Klein, of the School of Philosophy, compared the incident to “finding out there was a dog attack next to the attack dog training facility.’’ Still on AI, Dr Jessica Herrnington, of the School of Cybernetics, discussed her research on Australian attitudes towards generative artificial intelligence on WIN News.

Distinguished Professor Emily Banks, of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, welcomed news that fewer Australians are smoking than ever before but told Region Media tobacco-related disease was still causing needless deaths.

Over the past week, ANU experts spoke to the media about a range of other issues, including Andy Burnham’s elevation to UK Prime Minister, the Iran war, renewable energy and the meteorite that killed the dinosaurs.  

What's on

University House pond surrounded by greenery.

Image: University House. Photo: GML

ANU Travel Expo

Monday 27 July, 9.30am–12.30pm

Planning personal or university travel, coordinating a conference or study tour, or arranging travel for guests and visitors? Drop by the ANU Travel Expo at the soon-to-reopen University House to connect with airlines, accommodation providers, travel partners, and the ANU Travel Services and Mobility and Sustainability teams.

Get practical advice, explore exclusive leisure travel offers and learn more about health, safety and risk management – all while getting a first look at the revitalised University House. Plus, every attendee goes into the draw to win fantastic prizes.

Register here button linking to ANU Travel Expo 2026.

Myanmar Update: Photo Exhibition 'During the War'

Friday 24 July, 9am to Saturday 25 July, 4pm

During the War brings together the work of three Burmese photographers who document the lived realities of a country in sustained revolutionary and armed conflict.

Register here button linking to Myanmar Update: Photo Exhibition 'During the War'.

Celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Tjabal Centre

Monday 27 July, 10am–7pm

Celebrate NAIDOC Week with the ANUSA Indigenous Department at the Tjabal Centre. Enjoy traditional sports (Marngrook), weaving and traditional tools workshops, live music, collaborative art, stalls and more throughout the day.

Learn more button linking to Celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Tjabal Centre.

In conversation: Maria Repnikova and Amy King

Friday 31 July, 1–2.30pm

Join Associate Professors Amy King and Maria Repnikova (Georgia State University) for a discussion exploring how Chinese foreign policy ideas, visions, narratives and strategic communication are studied. Drawing from Repnikova's forthcoming book, Competing for Soft Power: China's Image-Making in Africa, the seminar will examine China's approach to soft power and fieldwork in Ethiopia.

Register here button linking to In conversation: Maria Repnikova and Amy King.

Last information session – Master of Applied Cybernetics 2027

Tuesday 4 August, 5–6pm

Join an online information session to learn about the ANU Master of Applied Cybernetics, what to expect from the program, the application process, and how to apply for 2027 entry. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions during the session.

Register here button linking to Last Information session – Master of Applied Cybernetics 2027 .

More upcoming events

  • Book launch: A World of Resistance – Thursday 6 August, 5.30–7.30pm
  • On rational and irrational numbers, strings and harmony – Tuesday 18 August, 6–8pm
  • Artificial Intelligence and Value Alignment – Wednesday 19 August, 5–6.30pm
Banner image linking to Experience ANU.

Meet the Author

James Walter and Carolyn Holbrook discuss their new book, which explores how political advisers and public servants have shaped Australian policy and society, and what this means for the future of democracy. 

Monday 27 July, 6–7pm

Register here button linking to Meet the Author – James Walter and Carolyn Holbrook.

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

Register here button linking to Meet the author - Alan Joyce.

Acclaimed political thinker John Keane explores the challenges facing democracy today and hear from one of the world’s leading thinkers on democracy. The event is part of our ANU 80th celebrations and ANU Community Day. 

Saturday 15 August, 11.30am–12.30pm

Register here button linking to Meet the author - John Keane.
Clickable banner image linking to Meet the Author.

Before you go

Alex Gotts smiles at the camera while standing outdoors on the ANU campus.

Image: Alex Gotts. Photo: ANU

Three questions with Alex Gotts, Communications and Events Officer

How did you come to be at ANU?

I started working at the Indonesia Project not long after returning from Indonesia. It was wonderful to be in such a thriving, multicultural environment and keep my connection to that culture and language.

What are you most passionate about in your work?

I love writing about the work of researchers and students doing amazing things. There are so many stories hidden in plain sight here.

What is your favourite spot on campus and why?

The Coombs building, where I work. It's like a labyrinth and its courtyards reminds me of The Secret Garden.

Bonus question for ANU turning 80: What makes you most proud about working at ANU?

I love the dedication to excellence that I see here from staff and students, alongside the commitment to an inclusive environment.

Silhouette of three people sitting on a jetty on Lake Burley Griffin at sunset, with hills in the background.

Photo: Dharini Sundar Rajan/ANU

Scene on our campus

This week’s picture was taken by Master of Finance Student, Dharini Sundar Rajan who captured a sunset on campus.

"It feels like a quiet memory you didn't realise you were making", says Dharini.

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.

 

Key contacts

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.

Do you need support?

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 Employee Assistance Program.

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

 

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

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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