Image: ANU students Toby Hauber and Gracie Danielson at the GUMBY race. Photo: supplied

Endurance, resilience, and community spirit were on full display at Canberra’s gruelling GUMBY Backyard Ultra Race and among those pushing their limits were two ANU students, Toby Hauber and Gracie Danielson.

The event, known for its unforgiving format — a 6.7km lap on the hour, every hour, until only one runner remains, drew 45 competitors to the starting line on ANZAC Day morning.

In his first event, third-year Data Analytics and Biology student Toby ran 25 laps over 25 hours, covering 167km with 4,500m elevation as the second-last runner standing. At only 21, Toby also became the youngest competitor ever to surpass 25 laps at the event.

Fourth-year Law student Gracie "Crazy" Danielson also delivered a remarkable performance, completing 21 laps to finish in the top four overall — and claiming the honour of being the last woman standing.

Reflecting on the experience, Toby said:
"It was a very tough but enjoyable run — we both pushed each other beyond what we thought we could achieve and received so much support from our family, friends, competitors, and volunteers during the race."

The GUMBY Backyard Ultra is not just a test of physical endurance, but of mental grit and camaraderie — and both Toby and Gracie embodied that spirit throughout the challenge.

Image: Professor Creina Day. Photo: supplied

Here’s the thing about a good teacher – you never forget them. Economist, Professor Creina Day from the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy is one of these teachers. Part of what makes Day’s teaching approach so effective is the way she uses economic models to explain contemporary challenges. Her approach emphasises relevance, research-led curricula and reflective practice – principles that not only enhance student understanding but also inspire future generations of economists. 

Read more: Award-winning ANU economist on leading the way in transformative teaching 

We are delighted to congratulate three of our scientific researchers on their recent awards from the Australian Academy of Science, including: 

Congratulations to Professor Alison Rodger, Professor Yuri Kivshar and Associate Professor Daniel Noble for your tremendous achievements. 

Image: ANU students at Thredbo, NSW. Photo: Ben Lowe/ANU.

I spent last night at the Australian Studies Institute Visiting Fellows dinner, which was a lovely evening to meet with visiting academics to ANU and hear about their research and experiences on our campus and their experiences from around the world. Hosting academics from other institutions (from as far as the APS and the University of Bologna!) is one of the many ways we ensure our research and teaching is international, expansive and connected beyond ANU. With the dis-establishments and encroachment on US institutions unfolding on a nearly daily basis, it is now more critical to be a place that welcomes and supports academics, research and ideas that challenge the world around us. 

Read more: VC’s Update, April news

The ANU pop-up will return one final time, offering new students a final opportunity to collect an ANU Welcome Pack. Located at the Fellows Oval end of Joplin Lane, each pack contains an ANU hoodie, pennant flag and laptop stickers, all presented in a reusable ANU shopping bag. The pop-up will be open on Tuesday 6 May, 12-2pm. 

Please note: only students who commenced an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program in semester 1 2025 are eligible to collect a welcome pack. You will need to provide your ANU ID student number or present your student card on collection.  

The ANU Tax Clinic is a free and confidential service designed to assist taxpayers in understanding and meeting their tax affairs and obligations. This friendly, student-led clinic provides clients with information and guidance on a wide range of simple and complex tax matters under the supervision of experienced tax practitioners. Appointments are available via phone, videoconferencing, or in person. 

Learn more: ANU Tax Clinic 

Image: Democracy Sausage at the pub. Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU.

Who won the four debates, and do they even change people’s minds? In a scenario where we end up with a minority government, what can we expect from the crossbench? And which questions still remain in our live audience’s minds?  

On this live episode of Democracy Sausage, recorded at an ANU pub, Dr Jill Sheppard and Professor Frank Bongiorno join Dr Marija Taflaga and Professor Mark Kenny for a final rundown of the 2025 election.  

Listen now: Democracy Sausage, the pub test

Image: Young people exposed to hyper-masculine or violent behaviours are more likely to repeat them. Photo: courtesy of Ben Blackall/Netflix

Netflix’s Adolescence isn’t just a gripping drama — it’s a confronting glimpse into the dangers young people face today.

Dr Hayley Boxall, criminologist at ANU, says the issues portrayed in the show — cyberbullying, misogyny, and peer violence — reflect worrying real-world trends in Australia. Reports of sexual violence among teens are rising, fuelled by exposure to violent online content and normalisation of toxic behaviours.

Boxall’s research shows that early experiences of family violence and unfiltered access to harmful online material can significantly shape young people's attitudes and actions later in life. She warns parents to stay vigilant about their children's online activity and to act early, before harmful behaviours take root.

While Adolescence may be fictional, the warning signs are all too real.

Read here for more insights.   

Image: Australian Parliament House. Photo: Andrew Meares/ANU

As Australians head to the polls on Saturday 3 May, ANU experts are urging the incoming government to act decisively on the nation’s most pressing issues.

From intergenerational inequality and housing affordability to climate change and national security, the stakes are high. Experts warn that young Australians are being left behind, with policies failing to address their concerns or restore hope for the future. Climate change remains an urgent threat, with calls for stronger investment in renewable energy and biodiversity protection—over short-term cost-of-living fixes or nuclear options. On the global stage, a more self-reliant, transparent national security approach is needed to keep pace with shifting geopolitical tensions. ANU experts agree: it’s time for policies that are bold, future-focused and grounded in evidence.

Explore what matters most, according to the experts.

The Research Relay is looking for undergraduate guests to join their podcast.

If you have research to share, whether from study, work, or extra-curricular, let the team know using this form.  

They’re currently looking for students to speak on the themes of justice and health. 

Read more about the Research Relay.  

Friday 2 May, 12-2pm 

What does wellbeing mean to you and how does spirituality fit in? Join the ANU Chaplaincy for an open and inclusive conversation exploring the role of spirituality in wellbeing across different cultures and perspectives. Facilitated by Valerie Albrecht, speech pathologist, yoga practitioner and author, this informal session invites you to listen, share, and reflect. All welcome – bring your lunch. 

Register now: Lunch box conversation, wellbeing and spirituality 

Wednesday 7 May, 12-1pm

Join us for Next Steps: Pizza and Postgrad at ANU—an informal info session for final-year undergrads considering postgraduate study. From 12–1pm, enjoy a short presentation, free pizza, and chats with staff about programs, admissions and more. 

Register here to attend. 

Thursday 8 May, 8.30-10am  

This seminar brings together three emerging scholars whose research represents the vibrant new directions in the historical study of international relations in Asia. While their projects differ in empirical scope and focus, all three contribute to a shared effort to rethink how Asian historical experiences can enrich, challenge and expand the theoretical foundations of international relations. 

Register now: Emerging perspectives on the historical international relations of Asia 

Thursday 8 May, 6-7pm   

Steve Vizard will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno about his book, Nation, Memory, Myth. Gallipoli and the Australian Imaginary. In this book, Vizard brings an original perspective to the foundational myth of Gallipoli as a sacred bearer of Australian national values and identity.  

In this meticulously researched analysis  of the Gallipoli mythology, Vizard examines the common elements of national myths that transform them into compelling symbolic representations of cultural memory and kinship. He unpacks the tensions and clarifies the ambiguities embodied within these myths.

Register now: Meet the author, Steve Vizard 

Monday 12 May, 9.45-10.30am 

A new training centre housed at ANU will equip the next generation of scientists to tackle some of Australia and the world’s biggest biosecurity challenges, including the bee-killing Varroa mite. Join us for the virtual launch of the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity in conjunction with the International Day of Plant Health. 

Register now: Virtual launch of the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity 

Thursday 15 May, 5-6.30pm    

Southeast Asia has long been a region caught in the crosshairs of overlapping order transitions. Today, the world faces a rapidly changing international order in the face of great power revisionism, assertion and aggression, the rise of radicalism, economic de-coupling and the second Trump presidency. In this lecture, ANU scholars will unpack how Southeast Asia is managing the ongoing contestations and renegotiation of key global, regional and national compacts. 

Register now: Rules-based order? Southeast Asia in the age of the deal 

This World Password Day (1 May), take a moment to strengthen your online security. Learn how to create strong, memorable passwords and learn how passphrases and password managers can simplify and secure your account protection. Simple steps can go a long way in keeping your information secure. 

Read more: Celebrating world password day 

The Student Equity team is proud to introduce the First Generation Community Newsletter. Being a first generation student means being among the first in your immediate family's generation to attend University. 

This newsletter is for any students, staff and alumni who are part of, or want to support, the first generation student community. The bi-monthly newsletter shares stories of first generation success, tips and advice for current students, resources and invitations to events and networking opportunities. 

Sign up to the mailing list: First Generation Community Newsletter 

Abstract submissions are now open for the Digital Humanities Australasia 2025 Conference, taking place from Tuesday 2 December to Friday 5 December at ANU. The conference welcomes papers on:  

The deadline to submit abstracts via ConfTool is Friday 9 May and notifications of acceptance will be sent by Tuesday 13 June. 

For more details, please visit the conference website. 

Help is available if you need it. If you are dealing with a personal or university-related issue, ANU encourages you to seek support through the Student Safety and Wellbeing team by emailing student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au or calling 02 6125 2211, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.

You can also visit our Urgent Support page for a list of 24/7 and crisis support options.