This week, the University is releasing Implementation Plans for the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) and for the Academic Portfolio, providing a chance for impacted staff to review the plans and provide feedback before implementation commences.  

The Dean of CASS, Professor Bronwyn Parry, held a community update this morning to provide an outline of feedback and changes adopted in the Implementation Plan. An outline of the CASS implementation process and next steps were also discussed, and staff were provided an opportunity to put their questions to the Dean, Interim Vice-Chancellor and CASS Executive members. The Implementation Plan and a recording of the community update are available on the Renew ANU website.

On Thursday 4 December, the Implementation Plan for the Academic Portfolio will be released at a community update presented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Joan Leach. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A with the DVC-A, Interim Vice-Chancellor and other members of Executive and Portfolio leadership who are in attendance.

ANU is the 16th best university in the world for social and environmental sustainability, improving 32 places compared to the previous year, according to the QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2026. 

Out of 38 Australian institutions, ANU ranks third in the country, climbing four places. The University’s overall score increased by 5.1 points to 97.2 out of 100. 

QS also recognised ANU as a leader in environmental sustainability and knowledge exchange, ranking it second in Australia in both areas.

Learn more: ANU 16th best university in the world for sustainability

ANU has recognised the depth and diversity of talent across our community at the 2025 Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor Awards.

The awardees are individuals and teams who make a meaningful difference through remarkable achievements, collaborative efforts, and the steady, values-driven work that often happens behind the scenes.

Their contributions reflect the inclusivity, integrity and dedication that define the ANU community.

“These awards showcase the incredible talent across our University in a wide range of fields,” Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said.

Learn more: Celebrating our talented community at the 2025 Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor Awards

Congratulations to Professor Katerina Teaiwa, Professor Caillan Davenport, Professor Philip Piper and Professor Gillian K Russell, who have been announced as new Fellows of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Election to the Academy is the highest honour in the humanities nationally and recognises the impact academics' work has had on Australia’s social, cultural and democratic life.

Learn more: ANU academics named new Fellows of the Australian Academy of the Humanities

The Labor Party’s landslide victory at the polls in 2025 was shaped by several factors, including a clear advantage on policy issues, the relative popularity of Anthony Albanese and strong support from younger voters and women, according to a major study of Australian political attitudes and behaviour.

The 2025 Australian Election Study (AES), led by ANU and Griffith University, and released in full today, shows voters preferred Labor’s policies on nine of 10 issues examined in the study.

“The Coalition had a long-term advantage on economic policy, until this year,” study co-author ANU Professor Ian McAllister said.

The full study is available online. You can also access the launch event presentation slides.

Learn more: 2025 Australian Election Study reveals factors that led to ‘unprecedented’ Labor win

As we approach the release of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-30, we're revisiting the Strategy’s theme of ‘strength in connection’, highlighting that wellbeing grows through building strong relationships with peers and colleagues.

Felicity Gouldthorp, Director of the Residential Experience Division, explains how her team works to create safe, supportive and connected residential communities where our students can thrive.

Learn more: Strength in connection

As shared in last week’s email from the Interim Vice-Chancellor, the University shutdown is extended from Thursday 25 December 2025 to Friday 2 January, with operations resuming on Monday 5 January 2026.

Taking planned leave is important for keeping a healthy balance between work and life. It gives us a chance to rest, recharge, and come back feeling more productive and creative. Regular breaks can also help avoid burnout from working too long without time off.

If you're thinking about taking leave, have a discussion with your supervisor to plan ahead. The University calendar has all the key semester dates, which can help you find a good time to take a break and support a positive work-life balance.

We will continue to track our leave balances monthly in On Campus to ensure we all prioritise taking a break and we work collectively on reducing our leave liability.

Since introducing monthly leave reminders last year, we have been tracking our total leave balance in On Campus to improve transparency and encourage regular breaks. The annual leave balance since last month has increased by $1,039,617 but remains $5,007,709 lower than the same time last year.

With the end-of-year holiday period approaching, now is a good time to plan some leave and take a well-earned break.

The Canvas Staff Survey is now open. All staff who use Canvas are invited to share their experience with the University’s new learning platform.

Your feedback will help us improve the platform, support required training ahead of 2026 and strengthen our transition to a more accessible and student-centred learning environment.

The survey takes only a few minutes and is open until Tuesday 9 December, 5pm.

Have your say on Canvas here.

In 2024, the University commissioned an independent review into matters of workplace culture and gender issues within the former ANU College of Health and Medicine. The review was led by Professor Christine Nixon, examining how leadership, behaviours and systems impacted staff experience and delivered 17 key recommendations.

Over the past few months, ANU staff and students have contributed to these recommendations through a Steering Group, Community Reference Panel and Working Groups. Collectively, these groups have highlighted the immediate need for a guidance document ahead of our action plan that enables internal discussions and agreement on how we work together, what we value, what we expect of one another, and how we address poor behaviour, bias and discrimination.

The first version of the living document brings these preliminary expectations together. Staff are encouraged to read it and consider how these expectations can shape the way we work together in our own teams and across our campus.

Learn more: Nixon Review living document

There will be two planned critical infrastructure outages to enable service upgrades this week. These will take place overnight to reduce disruption.

Affected applications include Moodle, Echo360, Syllabus Plus, e-Forms, StudyLink Admission, ALMA, DSpace, CMS, PeopleSoft CS, Allocate Plus, ServiceNow, Gallagher, Orikan, MaxiCloud, Archibus, and others.

If you experience issues after the outage window, please contact the ANU Service Desk on +61 2 6125 4321 during business hours.

ANU proudly observes International Day of Persons with Disability on 3 December, a time to reflect on inclusion, accessibility and the role each of us plays in creating a supportive community.

The University is developing the Disability Action Plan 2026–2028 and invites students and staff to provide feedback. To support a more inclusive workplace, SensusAccess, an online tool to convert documents into more accessible formats, is being launched for staff.

Applications are now open for our next Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation). This is an outstanding opportunity for a world-class researcher and scholar with extensive experience in research leadership, to help shape the future of ANU as we strengthen our national role, global standing and our commitment to excellence.

A member of the University Executive, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) reports to the Provost and Senior Vice-President and is responsible for the developing and implementing of strategies, policies and systems to achieve the University’s strategic goals in research and innovation.

Applications close on Friday 9 January 2026 with the selection process to be finalised towards mid-2026. Perrett Laver is partnering with ANU on this recruitment process.

Learn more: Applications open – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Research & Innovation)

Following a competitive recruitment process, the office of the Interim Vice-Chancellor is pleased to announce that Yana Potrebica has been appointed to a 12-month term as the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Engagement in the Interim Vice-Chancellor’s Portfolio. Yana joins the Portfolio from the College of Business and Economics, where she has served as General Manager since 2019. 

Yana brings a deep understanding of the campus and expertise across governance, leadership, communications, and stakeholder engagement.  

This role will support the University’s governance and regulatory responsibilities, strengthen engagement with government and key stakeholders, and bring a cross-institutional focus to how we communicate consistently and clearly.  

Yana will commence in January 2026. 

The final Community Meeting for 2025 will be held on Tuesday 16 December from 11am to 12pm, where the Interim Vice-Chancellor will provide an update on the Roadmap and co-design work for 2026. In person attendance is now fully booked, but staff can still register to join online via Zoom.

After the meeting, staff are invited to a BBQ lunch on the University Avenue lawns from 12 to 2pm to close out the year together.

All events are optional but registration for the BBQ is essential for catering. Register via Humanitix.

Tuesday 2 December, 6–7pm

Niki Savva will be in conversation with Kerry-Anne Walsh on her new book Earthquake, the election that shook Australia, a collection of Savva’s most groundbreaking columns from The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, along with a riveting and deeply informed analysis of Australia’s epoch-making 2025 election.

Register here for Meet the author: Niki Savva

Thursday 4 December, 3.30pm–5pm

Join Dr Emma Dalton, Japanese studies scholar, for a seminar highlighting the problem inherent in the claim that Japan is one of the healthiest countries in the world by arguing that disordered eating in Japan is widespread amongst the country’s women and girls.

Register here for A feminist analysis of disordered eating in Japan

Friday 5 December, 11.30am–1.30pm

This panel discussion event will mark the launch of the 2025 Our Lives: Women in the ACT report. The findings of the report are based on the biennial Our Lives Survey which captures the lived experiences of women and non-binary people in Canberra and surrounding regions.

Register here for 2025 Our Lives: Women in the ACT panel

Tuesday 9 December, 11.30am–12.15pm

As part of the University’s commitment to the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, you’re invited to a powerful online panel.

This 45-minute session will explore the growing threat of digital violence – including online harassment, cyberstalking and image-based abuse and how the University supports staff.

Register here for 16 Days of Activism – ANU staff panel discussion 

Tucked quietly inside the Banks Building once sat one of the University’s most surprising hidden gems: a sun-drenched, leafy courtyard that worked overtime as a garden, gathering place and a mini wildlife sanctuary.

What made the courtyard truly special wasn’t just the greenery – though the towering Banksia trees, tree ferns and Magnolia certainly helped. The courtyard was also home to a surprisingly vibrant community of animals, many of which became beloved unofficial mascots of the building. The large Banksia tree was a favourite roost for ringtail and brushtail possums. For a year, a pair affectionately known as Yoda and Yodette could often be seen curled into a fork in the trunk. Above and around the tree, the Banksia flowers lured flying foxes, honeyeaters, wattlebirds, rosellas and even gang-gang cockatoos – a birdwatcher’s dream in the middle of campus.

On the ground, Gippsland water dragons staged dramatic territorial showdowns (Stumpy, the long-reigning king, is still the stuff of legend), while a patient bluetongue skink lingered at lunchtime hoping for handouts and occasionally licking the toes of anyone wearing thongs. Nearby, the courtyard pond supported its own cast: eastern long-neck and Murray River short-neck turtles, reeds, fish and the rumoured “mythical eel.”

For everyone who worked or studied in Banks, these creatures, this garden and this shared space became part of the collective memory of campus life. While the courtyard is currently inaccessible, the memories remain – along with hope for many more to come.

Daley Road will be closed at the intersection of North Road from Monday 1 December until Friday 19 December. The closure is required to undertake pedestrian safety improvement works.

Access to all ANU car parks and buildings will be maintained, however, there will be significant detours and temporary traffic management measures.

Look at the map and plan your trip to minimise delays and assist with easing congestion.

The ANU Green Awards have wrapped up for 2025, celebrating staff and students who turned everyday sustainable choices into real impact. This year’s winner, Claire Pepper, stood out for her hands-on approach and innovative solutions.

Read the full story to see how Claire's work is making sustainability more visible, practical and achievable in everyday life.

Looking for ways to level up your own sustainable habits? ANU is introducing a new bus service in early 2026. It will connect the campus with major public transport hubs in the city, making low-carbon travel simpler, cheaper and easier. Stay tuned via On Campus or join the ANU Green Network for updates.

There’s still time to submit a festive photo of your pet/s. One entry per pet, so the more pets, the more chances to win!

There are three prizes to be won:

All winners will be revealed in the final 2025 edition of On Campus on Tuesday 16 December. Every pet photo will be featured in a merry holiday gallery so you can enjoy the cuteness overload.

Submit your photo via this entry form by Friday 12 December.

Students are now able to self-identify their current gender at any time through ANUHub without needing to provide supporting documentation. 

These updates are a step towards more inclusive data collection at ANU, and we remain committed to evolving our data collection practices to better reflect the diversity of our community. These changes will also rollout to ANU staff systems in the near future. 

The Updates to gender data collection for ANU students webpage contains information and context about the changes and lists support available. 

If you wish to discuss how you can support students through this change, you can reach out to Inclusive and Respectful Communities at respect@anu.edu.au.

Learn more: Updates to gender data collection for ANU students 

For staff with an annual Focus 2025 document, the end-of-year reflection and evaluation is due by 31 December 2025. This final step is an opportunity for you and your supervisor to review your work and achievements for the year. Please ensure your 2025 document is completed before the University shutdown.

Focus 2026 documents will be created later this week. Once they appear in HORUS, you can begin drafting your 2026 goals, while completing your 2025 reflection.

Information, guidance and training resources are available on the ANU Focus website and ANU Focus SharePoint.

Graduation is one of the most meaningful milestones in a student’s journey. This year, you have the chance to be part of that celebration in a special way.

The ANU Graduation Office is inviting volunteers to help prepare and pack conferral documents for graduating students. By volunteering your time, you’ll play a hands-on role in delivering this moment of achievement to the next generation. You will also have the opportunity to record your personal messages of encouragement, advice, or congratulations, that will be shared with graduands.

Register your availability to volunteer to help celebrate our newest graduates

Australian Sports Camps will be hosting a series of three-day camps for kids aged 5–15, throughout December 2025 and January 2026. Camps will be held at ANU Sport and include basketball, cricket, netball and soccer.

Register now and get a 30 per cent discount.

Learn more: Australian Sports Camps at ANU Sport

Whispering Gums recently published a detailed write-up of the ANU Meet the Author event held on 19 November, which saw a 500-seat theatre filled to capacity.

The discussion featured two of Australia’s most celebrated nonfiction writers, Helen Garner and Sarah Krasnostein, joined by critic and interviewer Beejay Silcox for a powerful conversation centred on The Mushroom Tapes, their new collaborative book (co-written with Chloe Hooper) exploring the Leongatha mushroom tragedy and the public fascination surrounding it.

Whispering Gums captured the event’s impact and the insightful conversation that unfolded during this major literary moment at ANU.

Read more: Helen Garner and Sarah Krasnostein in conversation with Beejay Silcox

ANU is reviewing its Student Discipline Framework, and a draft is now available for feedback.

Read the Draft Recommendations Report to help shape the framework.

Register to attend an information session to learn more and share your feedback via the survey:

Learn more: Final call for the feedback on the Student Discipline Framework draft recommendations

This week’s picture comes from Iris Zheng, Senior Program Administration Officer at the National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, who captured the open sky framed by the glass windows of the Research School of Social Sciences.

“This photo is special to me because it captures a peaceful moment on campus that often goes unnoticed, it reminds me to pause, look up, and appreciate the beauty around us, even on a busy day,” said Iris.

Got a photo to share? Send in your picture using this form and include a short description about why your snap is special to you.

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.