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Hear from Emily Fisk, Organisational Change Manager in the People and Culture Division, as she addresses common questions about the consultation process. Emily explains how feedback is collected, how it is considered and the role it plays in informing decision-making.

A new table is now available on the Renew ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵFAQ page that highlights how your feedback has shaped recent changes. The table outlines consultation activities across different areas and shows the adjustments made in response to feedback.

Academic Portfolio Change Proposal consultation

Consultation is continuing, with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Future Students), University Registrar and Director of University Experience meeting with staff in Colleges and across the Portfolio. We are still receiving thoughtful feedback on roles and how they connect in practice.

To support staff, the Academic leadership team has made additional information available for review. New Academic-specific FAQs and draft position descriptions are now accessible to all staff on the Renew ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵwebsite.

Change Proposal consultations

The Residential Experience Division (RED) Change Proposal is open for consultation until 12pm, Wednesday 20 August. The Campus Environment Change Proposal is open until 12pm, Thursday 28 August. You can read the proposals, watch the Town Hall recordings and submit your feedback via the Renew ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵwebsite.

I’ve been returning gradually from sick leave and want to acknowledge some of the statements made at the governance inquiry last week. Although we cannot address individual allegations publicly, I was really saddened to see members of our University in such distress, both those who appeared at the inquiry and those on our campus who have been impacted. The University is provided with a right of reply and we will address the concerns raised with the Senate committee. Due process is important for everyone involved and I ask that people are respectful of the many staff impacted by this hearing. We do have support services available and if you need them, please make sure you reach out. 

Read more: VC's update – ongoing conversations 

PhD scholar Lhendup Tharchen has spent his career tracking big cats and wants to ensure the apex predators can coexist with humans. The snow-capped peaks of Himalayan mountains of Bhutan are home to hidden residents – always watching and waiting. The snow leopard is an elusive figure. Just because you haven’t spotted the big cat, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t seen you.

Engagement with Indigenous Australia is a key priority under the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵCorporate Plan 2025-2028 and central to the University’s unique national mission.

This cultural awareness training provides staff an introductory foundation to build broader, deeper relationships and collaborations with Indigenous Australians.

This interactive workshop, open to staff at all levels, provides an introduction to Indigenous history and culture in Australia and an opportunity to share and learn stories from personal and work experiences.

Email to register: HRD.Development@anu.edu.au

Since his teens, fashion has served as a kind of armour for Robert Wellington – a way of wearing self-confidence on his sleeve.  He still remembers one of the first times his dad gave him money to go shopping. Most boys his age would have returned home with a soccer tee, a cap or maybe a pair of Nike trainers. Wellington came back with a big faux fur, leopard print coat from a local thrift shop.

Last week, the Australian Human Rights Commission asked all universities to stage the rollout of the Racism@Uni Survey. With around 1.5 million staff and students set to take part nationwide, care needed to be taken to avoid server impacts from the very high response volumes anticipated. As a result, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵsurvey deployment, originally scheduled for 14 August began as of yesterday.

Staff and students aged 18 and over should have received a personalised survey link via email. The Survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and participation is anonymous meaning all responses will be de-identified. By taking part, you’ll help create a clearer picture of what’s happening on campus and online – and what needs to change.

 

Monday 1 September, 5pm

Join Professor Richard Bryant for a compelling and thought-provoking presentation on the future of PTSD treatment.

As part of the Cecil Gibb Public Lecture series, Professor Bryant will explore the complex mechanisms that sustain PTSD symptoms and reveal how deeper insights into these processes can pave the way for more effective, personalised interventions.

Register here: Advancing treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Thursday 21 August, 12pm

NTEU will be hosting a community BBQ as an opportunity to show support and appreciation for colleagues and student representatives standing up for ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵstaff and students. The BBQ will be held at Fellows Oval.

In recent Senate proceedings, a number of staff and student representatives gave evidence supporting improved governance at the University.

All are welcome to this event as we show our appreciation for these efforts.

^{This post is included in On Campus as per the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵEnterprise Agreement (Clause 58.5) which allows the NTEU two opportunities per year to distribute information via University digital channels.}

Monday 8 September – Saturday 20 September

Immersia 2025 is your passport to the cultures, histories and languages of Asia and the Pacific—right here at ANU. Across two vibrant weeks, experience performances, workshops, games, talks, food and more, with most events open and accessible to all. Family-friendly and full of discovery, it’s a chance to see the world differently, connect with community and celebrate what makes our region extraordinary.

Tuesday 9 September, 5pm – Wednesday 10 September, 8.30pm 

2025 has brought Taiwan into a period of heightened uncertainty and instability. This year’s update examines Taiwan’s economic statecraft, energy security challenges and deepening political polarisation, as well as the revitalisation of Indigenous knowledge through video games. The award-winning film Gaga – centred on a local election for township chief – is not to be missed.

The University is committed to supporting a healthier work environment while managing annual and long service leave balances. July recorded a small decrease in overall leave, aided by the mid-year break and school holidays. 

From 1 September, People and Culture will contact staff with excess annual leave to agree a leave management plan with their supervisor. If no plan is submitted by 14 November, staff may be rostered on leave between 2–30 January 2026.

In June, People and Culture contacted staff with excess long service leave to agree a leave management plan with their supervisor. If no plan is submitted by 1 November, staff may be rostered on leave from 4 December for up to seven weeks, in line with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵEnterprise Agreement.

We’ve reduced mandatory training from 13 modules to just seven, making compliance quicker and easier. These updated modules are focused, relevant and designed with your time in mind. We encourage you to log on today so we can stay informed, safe and compliant together.

The ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵDisability Research Network invites proposals for our second Disability Research Showcase on Monday 27 October. Academics, professional staff and students working on disability-related topics (broadly defined) are welcome to contribute in any format.

All submissions must be made by 8 September and should be no longer than 250 words.

A new program of short, focused workshops is here to help you get more out of Canvas. 

From building assignments and designing rubrics, to tracking student progress and boosting engagement, each one-hour session will be delivered via Zoom and packed with practical tips you can apply straight away.

Upcoming workshops: 

Week 5: Connecting with Your Students (18–22 Aug) – Master announcements, messaging, Markbook, SpeedGrader and Proctorio tools for professional, efficient student communication.  

Week 6: Quality Assurance & Standards (25–29 Aug) – Develop transparent, reusable rubrics and improve assessment consistency with practical Canvas marking tools.  

Teaching Break: Faster Marking Made Easy (1–5 Sep) – Focus on SpeedGrader, Markbook and engagement tracking to streamline marking and boost feedback quality.  

Teaching Break: Managing Your Marks (8–12 Sep) – Learn advanced Markbook features, data management and Proctorio tools for efficient mid-semester mark handling.

The remit of the Safety and Wellbeing Committee is expanding to include consideration of the safety of staff, contractors and visitors as well as students.

Academic and professional staff who wish to be considered for appointment to the Committee should submit an Expression of Interest addressed to the Chancellor via email to director.governance@anu.edu.au, by 5pm Wednesday 3 September.

More information: Safety and Wellbeing Committee

CAT App (Courses and Teachers Application) is the University’s new tool for course convenors and administrators to manage access to Canvas course sites. 

We’ve created new frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you get the most out of CAT App, with answers to common questions like: 

CAT App will continue to be developed, with new features and improvements rolled out over time. The FAQs will be regularly updated as the tool evolves. 

On the left wall by the Birch Building staircase hangs Erosion of Memory, a macramé tapestry by feminist artist Janet Brereton that has survived two fires, decades of absence and the shifting tides of technology.

First acclaimed at a craft festival in 1975, it explored the idea of the “new woman” in a digital world. Returned to Birch in 2022 for the launch of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵSchool of Cybernetics, it now stands as both survivor and seer — a woven prophecy still asking: How do we remain human in a world of machines?

Lean close. Some say you can still smell the smoke. 

Each nomination we receive tells a story of care, collaboration, leadership and dedication.

From professional staff supporting students behind the scenes, to researchers leading with integrity, to teams driving innovation through uncertain times, recognition is happening across the university.

“They’ve made a significant impact in laying the foundations to enable a respectful experience for staff, advocating for a culture of safety, trust, respect and inclusion, and influencing and educating our broader ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵstaff community”.

These are the kinds of contributions we’re celebrating through the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, and there’s still time to add your voice.

Nominations close on Friday 5 September. Take a moment to recognise someone who’s made a difference in your work, your team or the wider university.

YWCA Canberra is a not-for-profit feminist organisation that has conducted recurring surveys of women and non-binary people aged 16+ who live, work and study in the ACT. 

The survey results are captured in the Our Lives: Women in the ACT reports, which provide vital insights into the lived experiences of women and gender-diverse people in the ACT.

In 2019, 2021 and 2023 the survey received over 1,000 responses. This year, YWCA is aiming to hear from their largest sample yet, to ensure their advocacy is grounded in the voices and realities of the community. The survey takes just five minutes to complete  and will help provide vital insights to guide policy and advocacy efforts that support women and non-binary people in our community.

The International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) invites you to submit creative photographs – from tiny insects and majestic trees to vibrant flowers and rare animals – on the theme “biodiversity on our campus.”

The goal is to create a global gallery showcasing unique perspectives on how biodiversity is experienced and observed across university campuses worldwide.

The pictures will be judged by an international jury and the winning pictures will be exhibited on all participating university campuses.

Winning entries will be featured internationally within the IARU network, which includes 11 leading universities.

Submissions close 31 October.

Are you interested in developing as a leader? The Leadership in Practice Program (LiPP) helps staff expand their professional networks, explore leadership frameworks and build practical skills through evidence-based learning and applied exercises.

Fiona Scotney, former Director of the Tuckwell Scholarship Program, shared her experience:

“LiPP was a great opportunity to expand my professional network across the University, learn leadership frameworks useful to our organisation and sector and complete a strengths profile assessment. The delivery mode, evidence-based approach and practical exercises made the program engaging and relevant. Since completing the program, I’ve stayed in touch with leaders from my cohort and now have a greater understanding of other areas across the University.”

The program is currently calling for expressions of interest.

Looking for school holiday activities? Australian Sports Camps are running two three day camps in basketball, AFL, cricket, netball and soccer at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵSport these Term 3 holidays.

Wi-Fi load or channel utilisation, refers to how much traffic a Wi-Fi channel is handling - like traffic congestion during rush hour. The heavier the traffic, the more congestion and the slower the Wi-Fi connection.

When connecting to ANU-Secure Wi-Fi, devices typically connect to the access point with the strongest signal. If too many users hit the same point, speeds drop and the experience suffers.

The good news? We're adding more access points across campus to ease the load and improve connection speeds.

ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵSecurity - (02) 6125 2249 

For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵSecurity.  

Media hotline 24/7 - (02) 6125 7979 

Contact the 24/7 media hotline for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our .  

Help is available if you need it. Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek support through the .

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