That’s a wrap on National Science Week! We’ve been celebrating the curiosity, discovery and ideas that drive science and technology. Thanks to everyone who joined our many ANU-led National Science Week events, including activities at ANU Community Day.  

Thank you to all staff who have participated in the University’s Enterprise Bargaining consultation so far, whether by attending an information session, providing feedback or expressing an interest in the bargaining process.

The final staff feedback and information session was held on 13 August. The University is consolidating and considering all feedback received as it finalises its Log of Claims. The Log of Claims will be shared with staff once approved.

You can continue to provide feedback or ask questions at any time by emailing enterprise.bargaining@anu.edu.au.

The University will continue to keep staff informed through On Campus and regular updates on the Enterprise Bargaining webpage.

If you have loved ones in Nepal or the surrounding region, or are waiting for news, we understand this may be a distressing time. Support is available.

The Employee Assistance Program offers free and confidential counselling, available 24/7, whether you need someone to talk to or help with self-care strategies.

The Community Wellbeing page brings together the support available across the University.

For updates on the situation in Nepal, see Nepal Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller.

If there is anything further we can do, email communitywellbeing@anu.edu.au.

ANU expert Professor Toni Erskine spoke at the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on AI and Nuclear War in the Vatican, to discuss the risks posed by artificial intelligence and nuclear war.

Drawing on her research into how AI and automated systems are changing decision-making on the use of force, Professor Erskine contributed to deliberations among political, scientific, and religious leaders and the drafting of the Rome Declaration from participants: “Humanity at the threshold”. 

A multidisciplinary ANU team has developed a world-leading online catalogue to identify, preserve and present Indigenous-related research held across our University.

The Indigenous Data Initiative, from the ANU First Nations Portfolio, combines technical expertise with ethical responsibility to uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples to know about and make decisions over data held by ANU.

For 80 years, ANU has been shaped by the people who live, learn and work here. From Shivani Manek’s pride in a community that “values knowledge, collaboration, and creating positive change” to one contributor’s “love for our natural campus and caring for Country” and Penny Swan’s “four generations of Swans shaped by this University”, explore the stories that make ANU what it is.

The new ANU Vice-Chancellor Scholars Program will support more than 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students facing financial or personal barriers to university from Semester 1, 2027. The program combines financial assistance with accommodation, relocation, transition and ongoing student support.

The tastiest annual tradition has returned in 2026. PhD students at the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences took their science into the kitchen for a chance to be crowned the winner of this year’s Bake Your PhD competition at the annual student conference, StuCon. Take a look at some of their creations.

The University acknowledges Dr Liz Allen's standing within the University and her significant contribution to its governance, and to the Australian community. Dr Allen is a valued and integral member of the University.

Tune in to Portrait Artist of the Year on ABC TV and iView to see Associate Professor Robert Wellington, of the School of Art and Design, help judge portraits of well-known Australians, including Casey Donovan and Dannii Minogue. Associate Professor Wellington told The Sydney Morning Herald (paywall) the program was helping to bring art to new audiences. 

Parliamentary Question Time has changed in the 35 years since TV cameras were first allowed to record the spectacle, wrote Dr Pandamus Petter and Dr Thiago N. da Silva from the School of Politics and International Relations and Australian Catholic University’s Dr Daniel Casey in The Conversation. Also in The Conversation, Dr Monique Rooney, of the School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics, discussed Ruth Park’s classic novel Playing Beattie Bow.  

Over the past week, ANU experts spoke to the media about a range of issues, including US visa bonds for citizens of some Pacific nations, Centrelink debts, Australia’s relationship with Israel, varoa mite, bird flu, the ABC’s ‘mojo’ and the history of the relationship between China, Russia and North Korea.

This Friday 28 August is Wear It Purple Day, an opportunity for the ANU community to show visible support for LGBTQIA+ people. You can wear purple, listen to queer experiences, learn how to be an effective ally, and support local LGBTQIA+ organisations and initiatives.

Explore the Colours of Courage resources, connect with Inclusive Communities or register for free LGBTIQA+ Ally Training. Staff can also access guidance on inclusive language, pronouns, gender affirmation and gender affirmation leave.

If you or someone you know is experiencing harmful behaviour, support is available through the Staff Respect Consultant or an identified or de-identified Harmful Behaviours Disclosure.

Following a competitive process, Professor Nicholas Biddle has been appointed by Council as the next Academic Board Chair. Professor Biddle is a long-standing member of the ANU community, a Professor of Public Policy and Economics and Head of School of Politics and International Relations. Professor Biddle was warmly welcomed by the Board at his first meeting as Chair on Tuesday 25 August, where the Board also thanked Professor Tony Connolly for his service as Chair over the past two years.

This Scam Awareness Week, visit the Cyber Sense SharePoint page to hear four real stories from ScamWatch and learn how to Stop. Check. Protect.

Complete the quiz by Monday 31 August, 11.59pm for a chance to win one of six coffee voucher and Cyber Sense tumbler bundles, with staff and student average scores to be shared after the giveaway.

Three new work health and safety (WHS) eLearning modules are now available in Pulse, with updated content and a more engaging learning experience. Watch the promotional video for a quick introduction. The new modules cover:

These modules replace existing WHS training and reflect legislative changes and recommendations from the Nixon review.

All staff and HDR students are expected to complete the relevant training by the end of 2026.

If you have questions about health, safety and inclusiveness in your work area, please speak with your supervisor or manager in the first instance or contact whs@anu.edu.au.

Monday 31 August, 3.30–5pm

Connect with colleagues working across multimedia, education and content creation before touring the ANU Escape Room and Science Multimedia Studio.

Tuesday 1 September, 12–2pm

As global warming intensifies, Dr Pep Canadell (CSIRO Chief Research Scientist, Executive Director of the Global Carbon Project) explores how carbon sources, sinks and feedbacks like wildfires and permafrost are shaping the path to net-zero.

Tuesday 1 September, 5.30–7pm

What has the 2016 Arbitral Award meant for diplomacy, maritime governance and regional security in the South China Sea? Join Dr Lowell Bautista to explore the Award’s ongoing impact, evolving strategies and the challenges that remain a decade on.

Thursday 10 September – Friday 11 September, 9.30am–5.30pm each day

Reconnect with the ANU teaching and learning community through two days of presentations, workshops, conversations and networking celebrating innovative practice across the University.

How did you come to be at ANU?

After seven years working at CSU-Bathurst (it was Mitchell CAE when I started there), I had graduated, but their university reorganisation was scaling back and moving my school to Wagga. I was successful in getting a position here at ANU with the then Department of Chemistry in The Faculties. 31 years later I can say it's been an "interesting time".

What are you most passionate about in your work?

Working with students to give them the best opportunity to have a go, make mistakes, and learn usable and hopefully employable skills. I had very supportive techo's during my undergraduate, so I know how valuable an understanding and helpful person in the labs can be.

What is your favourite spot on campus and why?

My truly favourite spot no longer exists. It was the verandah of Building 33, the Department of Chemistry, where you could sit out in the warmer months for lunch and morning tea with the trees providing shade. Or in the winter, move all the tables and chairs out of the lunchroom and have a BBQ with the staff and undergraduates under the shelter of the verandah. 

Now, I'd have to say it's the various green spaces along Sullivans Creek and the Dickson wetlands where I have my lunch walk and get my head out of the laboratories.

What makes you most proud about working at ANU?

The great team of undergraduate focused Technical Officers I lead and the work we do to help the students get the best opportunity to learn.

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.

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