Interest in the Voluntary Separation Scheme has now closed to all staff. Alongside applications reconsidered from the earlier round this year, we received 158 applications in total. We sincerely thank and acknowledge all staff who expressed interest in the scheme.

For staff in areas currently undergoing formal organisational change, applications closed on 12 September 2025. Initial outcomes will be shared in the coming days, with further information on timeframes and the process for formalising offers to follow. Please note it may take some time before final arrangements are confirmed.

For staff in areas not undergoing formal change, leaders will begin reviewing applications over the coming weeks. Initial outcomes are expected to be communicated in late October.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) has launched a short survey tool to gather further insights from staff on current work activities. Feedback will help guide implementation and transition planning for the Academic Portfolio. All staff who were included in the Academic Portfolio Change Proposal are invited to complete the “Rapid Discovery Tool.” It takes 10–15 minutes to complete and is open until 5pm, Friday 3 October 2025. Where staff are on leave, feedback will be sought from their teams to ensure all perspectives are considered. 

Next steps include reviewing the submissions, holding targeted workshops where useful, and providing staff with an update on key themes and how these insights will support the implementation process. 

A widely available and affordable drug has shown to be effective in treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients, according to a new study from The Australian National University (ANU). 

The researchers believe the drug could also be useful in fighting other serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

Heparin has traditionally been injected and used to treat blood clots. But lead author of the study, ANU Professor Frank van Haren, said the results confirm heparin’s effectiveness in treating COVID-19 when it is inhaled, rather than injected.

Read more: Low-cost drug shows promise for patients with life-threatening respiratory infections

As any footy fan knows, commentators and coaches love to champion data.

In every AFL match, for example, a GPS tracker logs each player’s co-ordinates, at a rate of 10 times per second. It calculates their speed, acceleration, endurance and movement patterns. By a game’s end, each one has logged more than 20 million data points.

Read more: Best, but not fairest? ANU artist continues to champion data sovereignty with Adam Goodes

Liv Kidston has been awarded the 2025 ANU School of Art and Design drawing prize for her autobiographical artist book that explores her experience of dyslexia and neurodivergent perception. Using layered machine embroidery and distorted text, the work captures the speed of ADHD thought spirals and her frustrations while learning to read, inviting viewers into a sensory encounter with dyslexia.

Congratulations to Liv on this well-deserved achievement.

With 43 finalists, the 2025 drawing prize showcases the breadth and depth of drawing practice within the School of Art and Design. Don’t forget to visit the gallery during the exhibition to vote for your favourite artwork. The People’s Choice winner will be announced at the closing reception on Wednesday 22 October with the exhibition running until Friday 24 October.

Read more: 2025 ANU School of Art and Design drawing prize winner

Master of International Law and Diplomacy student, Zyarna Leefe, recently represented Australia at the G20 Youth Summit (Y20) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Y20 is the official youth engagement group of the G20 and brings together young leaders from across member states to discuss global challenges and develop policy recommendations.

Zyarna participated in a titled Meaningful Youth Engagement and Reforming Multilateralism for a Just Future, where she called for multilateral institutions to formally recognise Indigenous peoples as independent actors, with dedicated seats and decision-making roles. Her proposal was supported by 18 of the 20 delegations.

“It was an incredible opportunity to contribute to international conversations and work alongside inspiring young leaders,” Zyarna said.

Learn more about the G20 Youth Summit here.

The Immersia Festival, a flagship annual program hosted by the ANU School of Culture, History and Language, has officially wrapped up for 2025 after two vibrant weeks of connection, creativity and celebration.

From the lively Mini Naadam ('Festival') of Mongolia with traditional music, dance and calligraphy, to the serenity of the Japanese tea ceremony in the Tatami Room, students, staff and the Canberra community had the chance to experience a world of traditions right here at ANU, as well as around Canberra on Saturdays.

Workshops like Chinese lantern-making lit up the festival with colour and fun, while performances, food and hands-on activities showcased the diversity of our community.

Immersia may be over for 2025, but the memories (and the lanterns) will keep glowing. We can’t wait to see what new traditions, flavours and celebrations will arrive on campus next year.

Wednesday 22 October, 6.30pm – Sunday 26 October, 3.30pm

Canberra Writers Festival is a joyful collision of art-makers, big thinkers and storytellers. ANU is a Founding Partner of the Canberra Writers Festival and as part of the partnership the University is holding a competition to giveaway free tickets.

To participate, describe your favourite book using only six words. Submit your description via this form. Winners will be notified by email and announced by On Campus on Tuesday 21 October.

Terms and conditions: Competition is open to ANU staff and students only. Tickets cannot be used for events sold by a third party (including events at Louis Dining, Hyatt Hotel and Dendy Cinemas).

Register here for the Canberra Writers Festival

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month.

The ANU Information Security Office has planned a month of events, workshops and learning opportunities with something of interest for all staff and students.

Register here for Cyber Security Awareness Month

Thursday 16 October, 6–7.30pm

Come along to celebrate the life of Brendan Sargeant and to reflect on his concept of 'Strategic Imagination.'

Register here for Strategic Imagination – Essays in Honour of Brendan Sargeant

Wednesday 22 October, 3–5pm

In collaboration with the Centre for Stories, the ANU McCusker Institute is celebrating and sharing the work of this year's winner of the international Human Rights Essay Prize, Sabia Rasool with her essay The Blind Side.

Register here for In Conversation with Sabia Rasool 

Wednesday 22 October, 5.30–6.30pm

Presented in partnership with the ACT Branch of the Order of Australia Association, Emeritus Professor Mark Howden AC FAA FTSE, will deliver the keynote speech exploring the costs and benefits of climate action versus inaction and the consequences for Australia’s future.

Register here for the Order of Australia Lecture – Go hard or go slow on climate change? What’s in the national interest?

First Generation Celebration - Thursday 9 October, 3-5pm

Chinese students in 1950s–60s Malaya: Activism, Translation and the Making of a Multilingual Future - Thursday 9 October, 4–5.30pm 

Have you planned your team’s end-of-year event yet?

Symposium by University House has a variety of celebration packages available including catering across campus.

For enquiries, email the University House team via events.unihouse@anu.edu.au.

Learn more: End-of-year celebration packages

Commencing in early October, a series of 90-minute skill builder sessions are being held to support ANU supervisors during the reflection and evaluation period of the ANU Focus performance cycle. Sessions are scheduled for:

Register here for the ANU Focus skill builder sessions

The University will soon be applying for an extension to its self-insurance licence under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act). The current licence has been in place since 1 July 2018 and is due to expire on 30 June 2026. The University will seek an extension of eight years, being the maximum term allowed, to 30 June 2034.

Further information can be found on the ANU website at Workers' Compensation at ANU.

The ANYOU employee engagement survey is planned to open in October, giving staff the opportunity to share their views and help shape improvements across the University. In the meantime, you can review the results of past surveys online here.

The Be Bin Smart program is rolling out across ANU, making recycling simpler, clearer and more effective. Following a successful pilot program, the first new bins have been installed at ANU Sport, with Chifley Library being next in line and more locations to follow soon.

You can get involved today by exploring the new Be Bin Smart Toolkit, which is a practical resource packed with guides, tips and downloadable resources you can use in your own spaces. 

Learn more: Be Bin Smart Program expands at ANU

From tiny insects to majestic trees, we want to see the biodiversity on campus through your eyes. Together with our partner universities in the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), we are collecting creative photo submissions until Friday 31 October under the theme “Biodiversity on Our Campus.”

Submit your photos and get the chance for your work to be featured internationally across the IARU network.

Learn more: Show us your campus biodiversity

ANU Security – (02) 6125 2249 

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

Media hotline – (02) 6125 7979 

Contact the media hotline during business hours or email media@anu.edu.au for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our Experts Guide.

Help is available if you need it. The University has a range of information and services that can be accessed by Managers and staff.  

Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek counselling support through the Employee Assistance Program.

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