On Campus

Staff Edition

Tuesday 26 March

All the important campus news, events and opportunities for ANU staff. In your inbox every Tuesday.

The rundown - information you need at a glance

  • Read the message below about our new Chief Financial Officer appointment.
  • Voting for the ANU Council professional staff member is now open. Keep reading for more information.

‘Structural and significant’: Australia’s long journey to reach gender equality

Padma Raman, the inaugural Executive Director of the Australian Government’s Office for Women, delivered the 2024 Susan Ryan Oration last night, outlining the steps Australia needs to take in order to achieve greater gender equality.

Watch the address or read about it on ANU Reporter

New ANU institute to advance First Nations gender equality  

The Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Gender Justice Institute will advance the voices of First Nations women and girls and help improve the policies and structures shaping the lives of First Nations people.

The new institute will be chaired by ANU Honorary Professor and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr June Oscar AO.

Read more 

New platform to inform policy with latest research

ANU has launched a new platform, ANU Policy Brief, to connect policymakers and end users with the University’s world-leading policy research and expertise.

ANU Policy Brief features actionable and accessible ideas and findings from experts from across ANU on the biggest policy challenges and needs Australia faces.

Read more

What's on

World Autism Awareness Day hosted by People and Culture

Thursday 4 April, 12-1pm  

World Autism Awareness Day is a significant occasion to foster understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorders. This session will cover topics including what autism is, the importance of understanding communication enhancement in relation to autism spectrum disorders and the available supports and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact injurymanagement@anu.edu.au

All staff are invited to attend.

Register here

Constructing the ‘scientific’ child in late Qing periodicals  

Thursday 28 March, 4-5.30pm  

Explore the world of childhood literature in late Qing dynasty China in this seminar with Dr Shih-Wen Sue Chen from Deakin University. Discover how periodicals like Xiaohai yuebao and Mengxue bao shaped the concept of the 'scientific' child, addressing China's future anxieties by advocating for scientific knowledge among the younger generation. 

The ANU China Seminar Series is proudly supported by the Australian Centre on China in the World at ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.  

Register now

Social media self-defence for researchers 

Tuesday 2 April, 2-3.30pm 

ANU researchers make an incredible contribution to public debate on the critical issues facing us today, including across social media. But sometimes this can lead to online abuse – which is never okay. In this specialist online workshop, delivered by experts from the Australian Science Media Centre and ANU Media, learn how you can protect yourself against this abuse and how ANU can support you when it happens.  

The workshop will be delivered online via Zoom. 

Register now

The Agrifood Innovation Institute Industry Seminar Series 

 Tuesday 2 April, 10.30-11.30am 

The Agrifood Innovation Institute (AFII) proudly presents its inaugural Industry Seminar Series, launching with a focus on The Biosecurity Protection Levy. This innovative government funding model, revealed in the latest Federal Budget, will shape future biosecurity initiatives. 

Gain insights from esteemed speakers, Tony Mahar, CEO of the National Farmers Federation, and Saša Vanek, Research Officer at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute. 

Register now 

Project Management Essentials

Thursday 11 April 

This workshop offers hands-on learning as you dive into methodologies, theories, and tools. Craft a business case and master project closure techniques. Explore decision-making processes, project communication, and teamwork strategies for timely and budget-friendly project delivery.  

Deadline- Sunday 31 March 

Register now 

Executive recruitment update

Chief Financial Officer

After an extensive and competitive search process, Michael Lonergan has been appointed Chief Financial Officer.

Michael brings over 28 years of invaluable experience in executive leadership roles and a wealth of expertise and insight to the role. Michael comes to us as the former Group Chief Financial Officer at RACQ, Queensland’s largest mutual, providing roadside assistance, general insurance, retail banking, travel and solar for over 1.7 million members.

Michael has a proven track record of leading and improving finance and corporate service functions, demonstrating exceptional leadership and insights in areas such as strategic and financial planning, capital management and regulatory compliance. 

Michael will commence the role on Friday 12 April 2024.

We would like to thank the senior leaders within the finance and business services team, especially our Interim CFO Vibo Chandrasekera who have stepped up to lead the division through this transition period.

To stay connected to our community and leadership team, keep reading On Campus every Tuesday for updates on key new appointments and movements.

ANU Extension program conclusion 

The ANU Extension (ANUE) program will conclude at the end of 2025, when the contract with the ACT Government also comes to an end. Currently enrolled students will be unaffected by this decision and will be able to complete the program as planned through 2024 and 2025.  

This year there will be no change to the ANUE program, other than the cessation of marketing and recruitment activities for 2025 and beyond. In 2025, the program will commence winding down, with no Year 11 intake. However, there will still be a cohort of Year 12 students and so those courses will be taught in 2025 for the final time.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) wishes to acknowledge all our wonderful teachers and staff who have contributed to the success of ANU Extension over the last decade. Teaching staff will continue on with us until their roles conclude either at the end of 2024 or 2025. 

ANU looks forward to working with the ACT Government to develop new, equity-based programs that offer young people the opportunity to experience university and help meet our shared commitment to equity. 

Voting now open for professional staff member of ANU Council 

Following a call for nominations, 10 professional staff members have nominated to be the next professional staff member on the ANU Council.  As more than one nomination has been received, an online ballot will be held and voting opened today. You can view the list of nominees and a statement from each candidate and the election details here.

The elected staff member will hold office from 26 May 2024 until 25 May 2026.

To be eligible to vote in this ballot you must be a member of the professional staff and must have been a full-time, part-time or fixed term professional staff appointment in the University on payday 29 February 2024 and paid a salary by the University on that day.

Voting is now open and will close at 5pm (AEST) on Friday 12 April 2024.

If you are eligible to vote, you can cast your vote via the web link to the ANU Apollo Poll.

ANU DISP membership approved | Information Security Office

On 15 February 2024 The Australian National University’s Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) Membership application was approved. DISP membership is mandated for universities working with Defence and enables us to meet security obligations when engaging in Defence projects, contracts and tenders. 

The Information Security Office will be working with staff who hold DISP contracts or security clearances to keep us in line with DISP membership requirements.  

If you, or a member of your staff hold a security clearance, or are working on a project with Defence, please contact DISP@anu.edu.au and we will collate this information in a secure database. This will allow the Information Security Office to provide relevant support in relation to your security clearance or project. 

For further information please go to the ANU DISP SharePoint site or contact DISP@anu.edu.au  

Meet the Author series

David Lindenmayer 

Wednesday 27 March, 6-7pm 

Professor David Lindenmayer will be in conversation with Alex Sloan on his new book The Forest Wars, which lifts the lid on the destruction of native forests.  

Register now 

The Australian National University, Canberra 

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.

Have an article or event for On Campus? Contact us: on.campus@anu.edu.au