The Australian National University (ANU), University Preschool Child Care Centre (UPCCC) and Heritage Early Childhood Centre (HECC) have agreed key terms for the provision of high-quality childcare in two new facilities on the University’s Acton campus.    
    
The agreements are now being compiled for execution and will see UPCCC and HECC remain on-campus and begin operations in two new, purpose-built facilities from January 2025. 

Upon reaching this milestone, the University is delighted to confirm that the proposed tender process will not proceed. 
    
The centres will now start working with families and staff across our four community-based childcare centres on transition arrangements.   

Please keep consulting the University's dedicated website for more updates. 

ANU has been working collaboratively with Reconciliation Australia to provide more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and to promote better understanding between all Australians. To help us in this important work, please take the time to complete our 15-minute Reconciliation Action Plan Barometer survey to share your views on how well our organisation is achieving this.  

This research is being conducted by Polity Research & Consulting, an independent social research agency. All survey responses are strictly confidential and in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles. For any enquires please email inclusive.communities@anu.edu.au. 

The survey closes on Friday 20 September.  

Learn more: Reconciliation Action Plan Barometer survey 

This learning path serves as a guide for anyone looking to add more flair and clarity to their writing. High Impact Writing is a self-directed learning path which will help you achieve:   

LinkedIn Learning paths allow you to target your professional development to key areas of growth, aligning with the feedback received from the ANYOU Survey. This is a key University-wide action to build Professional Staff Pathways. LinkedIn Learning is free for ANU staff. 

For additional requests or feedback, get in touch with HRD.Development@anu.edu.au.

Sunday 4 August, 10am-3pm 

TEDxCanberra Youth, led by ANU student volunteers, has returned for 2024 with a stellar lineup of eight youth speakers. Join us in supporting and empowering youth voices, including members of our ANU community. This event will feature a welcome to country ceremony, TED talks, musical performances, a workshop session, networking opportunities and catered lunch.  

Free minibus transport to the venue from ANU will be available. All ANU staff and students can receive a $5 discount on tickets using the promo code ANUTEDX.  

Register now: TEDxCanberra Youth 

Monday 19 August, 7-8.15pm 

Join us for the inaugural ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership annual lecture to be delivered by Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In her address, Minister Wong will discuss Australia’s relationship with Asia and the role of Asian-Australians in supporting Australia’s engagement with the region.  

Register now: 2024 CAAL annual lecture 

Wednesday 4 September, 9am-5pm 

Professor Adam Bridgeman and Professor Danny Liu are leading the response to generative AI at the University of Sydney. The ANU Centre for Learning & Teaching have invited them to share their knowledge and experience with all academic staff to demystify generative AI and share how their institution uses two-lane assessment; assessment of learning and assessment for learning in practice. The all-day workshop consists of four segments, you are welcome to join all or an individual segment of your choice.   

Register now: Generative AI Workshop Day 

Tuesday 6 August, 10am-1.30pm 

Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present reality that has cost households and the insurance industry billions. With insurance premiums skyrocketing the need for effective disaster finance solutions is urgent.

This event will explore strategies for building resilience, prevention and recovery and the role of communities, government and the private sector in financial disaster solutions.  

Register now: ANU Disaster Solutions Update 

Monday 5 August, 6-7pm 

Leigh Boucher and Michelle Arrow will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno on their book with co-authors Barbara Baird and Robert Reynolds, Personal Politics Sexuality, Gender and the Remaking of Citizenship in Australia, an insightful examination of the collective and cumulative impact gender and sexuality activism has had on citizenship in Australia. 

Register now: MTA Leigh Boucher and Michelle Arrow 

Wednesday 7 August, 6-7pm 

Critically acclaimed historian, Paul Ham, will be in discussion with Hugh Mackay on his new book The Soul. A History of the Human Mind. Paul Ham embarks on a journey that has never been attempted: to restore the idea of the soul to the human story and to show how belief in, and beliefs arising from, the soul/mind have animated and driven the history of humankind. 

Register now: MTA Paul Ham 

Image: Selina Walker at the 2024 Reconciliation Lecture. Photo credit: Jamie Kidston/ANU.

Speaking at the University’s 2024 Reconciliation Lecture, Ngunnawal woman and Co-Chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council Selina Walker emphasised that non-Indigenous Australians need to take accountability for unconscious racism and biases before our nation can achieve reconciliation. 

Walker compared the pain of colonisation to an amputated leg—a missing piece that will take a collective effort to make whole. “There’s a lot of healing to be done. But it’s through that amputated limb that this work is happening,” Walker said. For non-Indigenous Australians, that means re-thinking biases. 

Read more: Walker’s vision for reconciliation 

Image: Kamala Harris hosts a political rally in Reno, Nevada in 2020. Photo credit: Isaac Hoops/shutterstock.com

Biden has backed out of the presidential race, should he have withdrawn earlier? How will likely democratic candidate Kamala Harris change the campaign, the media narratives around Trump and the outcome of the election? And what will this change mean for Australia?  

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Mark Kenny talks to Dr Emma Shortis, Emeritus Professor John Hart and Professor Frank Bongiorno about the US election.  

Listen now: Democracy Sausage 

If you are experiencing concerns in the workplace such as, but not limited to ablism, sexism, racism, discrimination, harassment, bullying and sexual harassment – you can reach out to the Staff Respect Consultant. The Staff Respect Consultant provides confidential, person-centered and trauma-informed support which empowers staff to have autonomy over what steps to take. Make an appointment by emailing staffrespect@anu.edu.au, calling 02 6125 6763 or by booking an appointment online.  

Additionally, if you experience behaviours that are not aligned to the codes of conduct, you may also submit a disclosure using the ANU Harmful Disclosure Tool and the University will provide you with information and support through the Staff Respect Consultant.  

The supervisor development program is a workshop designed to provide new supervisors with the tools to proactively set up their team dynamics, including routines, expectations and practices that will foster collaboration and productivity in a conscious, strategic and deliberate manner. Join us for the next session on Tuesday 3 September.  

Registrations close Sunday 18 August.  

Register now: Supervisor Development Program 

Universities Australia is searching for problem solvers, future builders and community champions who have gone above and beyond to leave a positive mark and help build Australia’s future.  

The Shaping Australia Awards will recognise an individual, team or university that has made an exceptional contribution in one of three categories: teaching, research and community service. There will also be a People’s Choice voting component, which will allow members of the community to vote for their favourite finalist in each category. Winners will receive $2500 in prize money.  

Submissions close on Wednesday 18 September, with winning entries to be announced in February 2025.   

Learn more: Shaping Australia Awards 

Do you adore captivating quartets, rocking concerts and knee-slapping comedy? Enjoy enthralling events at Llewellyn Hall for free. Llewellyn Hall reserves 10 complimentary tickets for ANU staff members at most ticketed performances – assigned on a first come first served basis.  

To request free tickets, please email music.venues@anu.edu.au with the date and name of the performance and the number of tickets requested. We ask that staff please do not request more than two tickets per person, however, you may note your desired amount for a chance to receive extra tickets if the event is not oversubscribed.  

Tickets will be issued a few days before the event takes place. If you can no longer attend the event, please inform music.venues@anu.edu.au so the tickets can be reallocated to other staff members.  

Learn more: What’s on at Llewellyn Hall 

Don’t miss out - applications for phase two of the ANU Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants close on Monday 5 August 2024 at 11.59pm. Looking for collaborators? Explore the Grants Collaboration SharePoint Site to advertise your project or find opportunities. For any questions, please contact the CLT team at clt@anu.edu.au.  

Learn more: Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants

Did you know that 1 August – 7 August is World Breastfeeding Week? ANU has many parenting rooms across its campuses for students and staff. While ANU welcomes breastfeeding across campus, these parenting facilities offer a private and quiet space to attend to breastfeed or express milk, as well as providing change table facilities for attending to infants and toddlers.  

Read more on our supportive breastfeeding policy and the breastfeeding procedure that includes a list of parenting facilities at the Acton and Mt Stromlo campuses. As part of our commitment to be a family friendly institution, ANU is currently accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace by the Australian Breastfeeding Association. If you have any suggestions and updates related to breastfeeding, please email inclusive.communities@anu.edu.au. 

If you are dealing with a personal or work-related issue, including distress related to the conflict in the Middle East, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

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