As a child, did you ever dream of being an astronaut? Perhaps you wished to traverse galaxies, experience life on Mars, meet an alien, or maybe just see a real-life rocket ship. Introducing ANU Rocketry – the students that never lost their out-of-this-world ambition.  

ANU Rocketry is a student association at the Australian National University working to advance aerospace engineering. With a goal to launch a self-built rocket into space by 2028, the association is focused on developing the technologies and methods to achieve this feat. This includes manufacturing its own in-house liquid fuel and developing alternative internal mounting and alignment systems for a rocket skeleton. 

Read more: To infinity and beyond, the ANU students with a plan to reach the stars

The ANU Health, Safety and Wellbeing Month in October is designed to promote the health and wellness of our staff across National Safe Work Month and World Mental Health Day. This month-long observance will feature a variety of events and weekly expos. Each expo will offer a range of health and safety activities, workshops, and resources designed to support your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We also encourage you to organise an event in your area to support health, safety and wellbeing.

Learn more: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Month

After almost six years as Dean of the College of Health & Medicine (CHM), Professor Russell Gruen is stepping down to pursue other activities.

Russell joined ANU in 2018 having previously been a trauma surgeon before moving into health leadership positions in academic institutions in Australia and Singapore. 

In an email to CHM staff today, Professor Gruen noted his proudest achievements during his time at ANU were forging new frontiers with a new School of Medicine and Psychology, introducing a new Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience and Psychology, deepening relationships with the ACT and Commonwealth governments, expanding the ANU footprint with student placements in Sydney, regional NSW and Central Australia, and strengthening the University’s Indigenous health leadership.

“It’s been a great honour to be a Dean at this extraordinary University, and to have the privilege of working with such inspiring and dedicated people who are contributing so much to Australia and the world,” Professor Gruen said.

“We have achieved a lot together, and I will forever be grateful to all that I have learned, and the quality of our friendships.”

Professor Gruen will take leave from this week until the conclusion of his term as Dean on 18 October and looks forward to continuing an honorary association with ANU while he explores new development opportunities. Professor Ross Hannan will serve as Acting Dean during this period and further interim arrangements will be announced shortly.

Thursday 26 September, 6.30-8.30pm 

Join us for the launch and reception of Counterrevolution: Extravagance and Austerity in Public Finance written by Professor Melinda Cooper from the School of Sociology. At this launch Professor Cooper will be in an interdisciplinary conversation with Dr Aditya Balasubramanian, Professor Will Bateman, and Associate Professor Ben Spies-Butcher. 

Register now: Counterrevolution book launch

Thursday 26 September, 1-2pm 

Thinking about a research partnership? Attend this free webinar as part of the ANU Library’s Getting published, driving impact series. Learn how to use InCites to identity the best fit for potential research collaborators and partnerships to achieve significant research impact.  

Register now: InCites webinar

Thursday 7 November or Thursday 14 November, 10-11.30am 

Are you interested in transforming your lectures into interactive lessons? In this workshop you'll explore ways to increase student engagement with flipped learning. Flipped learning is a pedagogical approach where students engage with learning materials such as pre-recorded lectures outside of class, freeing class time for discussions and practical activities. 

Register now: Flip Your Course Workshop

Wednesday 27 November, 9am – Friday 29 November, 5pm 

The 8th Australian Algebra Conference will be hosted at the University’s Mathematical Sciences Insitute this November. The Australian Algebra Group is a special interest group of the Australian Mathematical Society.  Submissions are welcome from all participants.  

Register now: The 8th Australian Algebra Conference

Tuesday 1 October, 6-7pm 

Dr Karl will be discussing his memoir A Periodic Tale: My Sciencey Memoir, supplemented by audiovisual images of his remarkable life. How did a shy Polish immigrant kid - Karl Sven Woytek Sas Konkovitch Matthew Kruszelnicki - evolve into the fabulously eccentric Dr Karl? Karl's story teaches us that you don't have to know all the answers, as long as you ask the right questions.   

Register now: MTA Dr Karl 

Monday 30 September, 6-7pm 

Virginia Trioli will be in conversation with Virginia Haussegger on the new book A Bit on the Side: Reflections on What Makes Life Delicious. Virginia knows that enduring joy is often found not in the big moments but in the small. And as a dedicated, almost obsessive, foodie, she believes that food gives us the perfect metaphor for how to devour the real flavour of life. 

Register now: MTA Virginia Trioli 

Are renters spending more money on electricity than homeowners? Professor Paul Burke from the Crawford School of Public Policy delves into research snapshots from the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions to answer this question. Learn how to solve the energy efficiency gap through standards and information in this quick video explainer.

Watch now: ICEDS Research Snapshots

In January 2020 more than 160 buildings were damaged by hailstorms. We are pleased to announce that repairs to the final six damaged buildings will commence in late 2024. Repairs are projected to end in June 2025. Please note that the ongoing repairs timeline is subject to weather.

Applications are open for additional rounds of the Professional Staff Scholarship Scheme  and the Professional Staff Development Endowment Fund. These grants aim to advance the skills and knowledge of professional staff by financially supporting short courses, conferences and career development programs. New updates to the grants procedure and application form will be in place for this current round.

Applications close Friday 18 October, 5pm.

For any inquiries contact HRD.Development@anu.edu.au.

Help students facing unexpected hardship with a $24 gift to the ANU Student Urgent Relief Fund. Your support covers essentials and helps them stay on track with their studies.

Learn more: ANU Student Urgent Relief Fund

Coaching is the practice of helping someone come to their own conclusions rather than giving directions. Develop this skill through listening, asking questions, empathising, summarising and being open minded. This course is designed for people managers.

As an ANU staff member, you have access to skills coach development courses using your U number email address and then clicking ‘Sign in with SSO.’

Learn more: Coaching 

The University is calling for nominations for an academic staff member to represent ANU to the UniSuper Consultative Committee. This is a fantastic opportunity for our academic voice to contribute to the strategic direction of UniSuper, influence key decisions and represent our staff interests at a high level.

Nominations must be in writing using the UniSuper Staff Consultative Committee Academic Staff Nomination Form and should be accompanied by a brief candidate statement of no more than 100 words. Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Returning Officer, Mark Cook via reward@anu.edu.au.

Nominations close on Monday 14 October, at 4pm.

Learn more: UniSuper Consultative Committee Call for Academic Nomination

The University Services Feedback is a streamlined process to encourage feedback on any service at ANU through a quick and easy form. On 19 September the University Services Feedback eForm was replaced with a new Microsoft Form. The updated form is designed to simplify the feedback process for all ANU staff and students to ensure a more efficient and timely response while still preserving anonymity when preferred. All service areas are requested to update the new form link on their website.

Learn more: University Services Feedback

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.