The University Council will hold its 500th meeting on Wednesday 18 February, marking the first meeting of 2026. ANU staff, students and alumni can register to observe the open sessions via a live Zoom link between 9–10.30am AEDT. This opportunity will become an ongoing feature at future Council meetings.

ANU turns 80 in August, and throughout the year we'll mark this milestone by recognising what makes our University so wonderful: our community. We’ll celebrate those who came before us, and those who are making it flourish today.

We're looking forward to celebrating with you – watch this space for more announcements.

Staff feedback closes tomorrow, Wednesday 11 February, on the following reviews:

This Wednesday 11 February, staff can attend an open user training session to become familiar with the new Facilities Management System, being launched in March.

For more information please contact CE.FMS@anu.edu.au

ANU celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the contributions of women across STEM. The 2026 theme, “Synergising AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance”, underscores the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing gender equity. ANU has a proud history of inspiring women in STEM and remains committed to supporting current and future generations.

ANU has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters to distinguished alumna Kim Jackson, recognising her leadership across technology and infrastructure, and her contribution to women, technology and engineering.

After seeing the devastating impacts of cyclones on his community in Fiji, Laurie Singh took his lived experience of the climate crisis to COP30 in Brazil.

People Manager Essentials is a half-day workshop designed to give you the practical tools, resources and guidance you need to manage staff effectively.

You’ll learn:

This year’s program is underway with 126 mentoring pairings confirmed. Mentors and mentees are professional staff from across ANU, ranging in roles from Associate Directors to Clinical Skills Officers.

This program is an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and connect across the University.

ANU is strengthening campus safety with the installation of 29 new Help Points, available from 19 February. The Help Points (similar to a blue pole) provide immediate, direct access to ANU Security if you are in an emergency or feel unsafe.

Help Points are located across key areas of campus. More details next week.

The University has extended its Gender Equity Strategy to the end of 2026. The extension enables the Strategy to be aligned with the new Gender-Based Violence National Code and the Workplace Gender Equality Act requirements.

From 2026, organisations with 500 or more employees will be required by law to select three gender equality targets from the WGEA target menu as part of their annual reporting.

In February, the University will begin consultation on gender equality targets to guide future reporting and action across ANU.

Staff can participate in a range of engagement opportunities including focus groups, college-level discussions, and an anonymous online survey.

ANU Green invites staff and students to make one small, carbon-smart commuting change each week and see the collective impact. 

Five ways to commute more sustainably:

This year ANU staff will have the chance to negotiate with management over pay, conditions, and workplace protections.

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) are seeking your views on what you think needs to change by completing a confidential Enterprise Agreement survey.

Sharing perspectives and experiences can help build a shared understanding of the changes needed at ANU. Anyone can take part in the survey, but only union members will have a say on the issues we take to the bargaining table.

Joining the union is one of the best steps you can take to affect change.

*This post is included in On Campus as per the ANU Enterprise Agreement (Clause 58.5) which allows the NTEU two opportunities per year to distribute information via University digital channels. The ANU Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026 is currently in effect with a nominal expiry date of 30 June 2026. Formal enterprise bargaining has not commenced at ANU.

From April, ANU will be introducing a new self-service password management system.

Staff will be able to update their University ID password quickly, securely and without needing to contact ANU Service Desk.

Students have access to their Canvas courses as of Monday 9 February.

Taking a few minutes to check your course site will help ensure students have a smooth start to semester 1.

Staff are encouraged to check that their course sites have essential elements in place before teaching commences.

Practical, hands-on workshops are on this week.

Further support is on the Canvas Support Site, or contact the ANU Service Desk.

The new home for official ANU merchandise opens from 16 February on Joplin Lane next to Game On.

The store will be open Monday to Friday, 10.00am–3.00pm, and will be the only authorised retailer of ANU‑branded merchandise.

For enquiries, contact shopANUenquiries@anu.edu.au

Wednesday 11 February, 10.30am – Friday 27 February, 3pm

This exhibition features work by Canberra based artists responding to their experiences of the 2025 Sharing Stories Arts Exchange, shaped by connection to First Nations communities and Country.

Wednesday 11 February, 12.30pm

UniSuper members and their families can now access virtual care platform 360Health at no additional cost.

Join the UniSuper interactive webcast to learn more about this platform and its services. Everyone is welcome, you don’t need to be a UniSuper member.

Monday 2 March, 6.30–7.30pm

Hear from three Nobel Prize laureates in a public lecture on discovery, curiosity and the future of science.

The evening features ANU Distinguished Professor Brian Schmidt, Professors Rolf Zinkernagel and Peter Doherty.

Meet the Author – Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Tuesday 24 February, 6–7pm

Meet the Author – Andrew Leigh

Thursday 26 February, 6–7pm

Cafe Mantra has opened at Old Canberra House.

Whether you’re in the mood for a great coffee, a classic breakfast, or a light lunch made fresh, Cafe Mantra has you covered.

Trading Monday to Friday 8am–3.30pm.

Tucked away within Fenner School is one of the University’s most fascinating collections. The Xylarium is a vast “wood library” holding samples from across Australia and the world.

Wood anatomists, archaeologists, anthropologists, conservators, art historians and forensic scientists rely on this collection to resample, compare and investigate everything from climate history to cultural artefacts.

With its deep historical significance and ongoing research value, the Xylarium is one of the University’s quietest yet most remarkable scientific assets.

“I saw the flower unopened the day before and thought I’d miss out on seeing it open. The following day, I caught it out of the corner of my eye, on my way to the bathroom. It felt like a small but perfect coincidence,” says student Billy Morrison.

Got a photo to share? Send it in using this form.

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.