The first draft of our next University Strategy is now available for staff review. Developed through a codesign approach and informed by input across Colleges, Portfolios, leadership and Council, feedback on this draft is invited via facilitated sessions held between Tuesday 28 April and Wednesday 13 May, as well as through an online community survey.

In 2026 two staff surveys are planned – a full engagement survey in April and a shorter pulse survey in the second half of the year.

The ANYOU full engagement survey runs from Tuesday 28 April to Tuesday 12 May. Staff can provide confidential feedback about their experiences at work to inform specific action planning for improvements across the University.

The University encourages you to have your say.

This week’s trivia question is:

What is the name of the non-residential Hall in ANU.

Congratulations to our recent trivia winners, staff member Karen Hardiman and student Eurmajesty Roque. Please contact ANU Corporate Communications to collect your prize.

Last week's question and answer:

Did you know? The University’s landscape and conservation team has been processing campus leaf litter and green waste at a dedicated soil yard for more than 15 years.

The campus loop bus is trialling a new electric bus, offering a quieter, lower-emissions way to travel around campus. Seating 24 passengers with space for two wheelchairs, it supports more accessible transport for the ANU community.

Whisper-quiet and fitted with regenerative braking, the bus has a range of around 350km, comfortably completing the loop each day before recharging overnight. The trial marks another step towards more sustainable campus transport.

As part of a carefully managed deaccession process, a unique selection of furniture from the ANU Design Unit Furniture Collection will be offered for public sale.

Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May

10am–12pm
Viewing of items for sale. Card payments only.

12.30–3pm
Pick up.

1/5 Callan Street, Mitchell

Only the collection’s surplus items have been selected. This is a rare chance to take home a piece of University history. All pieces will be sold as-is.

A new exhibition at John XXIII College celebrates 50 years of women living at the College, featuring portraits and personal reflections from 50 alumni.

Captured by ANU School of Art graduate Bronte Morel, the works reflect the experiences, leadership and impact of women across five decades. The collection is now on permanent display at the College.

ANU researcher Associate Professor Ana Sequeira has been named Australia’s National Champion in the Frontiers Planet Prize for work that could reshape how the world protects its oceans. Her research maps how marine megafauna use the ocean, identifying critical habitats and gaps in current protections at a time when one third of species face extinction.

Australians are feeling the strain, with average life satisfaction falling to its lowest level on record, according to new ANUpoll research. More than one in three people say they are finding life difficult on their current income.

Syenta, a semiconductor company founded from ANU research, has secured $37 million in investment to accelerate technology that improves how chips connect and communicate. The breakthrough aims to boost the performance and scalability of AI and quantum computing systems while supporting advanced manufacturing in Australia.

UniSuper’s 360Health Program now includes Mental Wellness Coaching, giving members access to confidential, expert-led support at no extra cost. It’s designed for anyone feeling stressed, burnt out or overwhelmed, with a focus on practical support rather than clinical treatment. Register here for an information session about UniSuper 360Health.

A short internet outage is scheduled for Wednesday 29 April, 9pm to Thursday 30 April, 1am AEST for upgrades to the network infrastructure. There will be up to two 30-minute disruptions expected during this period. If you rely on continuous internet connectivity overnight, ensure you plan ahead.

For any issues, please contact the ANU Service Desk on +61 2 612 54321 during business hours or log a ticket via ANUConnect.

The Digital Plan Bulletin resides in the ANU Digital Plan Hub and showcases how we're reshaping our digital systems and processes to improve our staff and student experience. Read about our latest achievements in the latest bulletin.

Sajid Hassan has been appointed to the role of Interim Chief Information Officer, commencing this week. Sajid brings significant experience in digital leadership and organisational change across higher education, government, and the not-for-profit sector. Sajid's background includes leading complex ICT environments, delivering strategically aligned digital initiatives, and fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and customer‑focused service delivery. During his interim appointment, Sajid will also contribute to sector engagement and collaboration through cross‑institutional partnerships and sector forums, supporting shared learning and best practice in digital strategy, technology governance, cybersecurity, and service delivery.

Professor Joan Leach has been appointed Acting Provost and Senior Vice-President, commencing Monday 11 May. She brings extensive leadership experience across ANU, including as Chair of Academic Board during the COVID period, and most recently as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), where she has led work to strengthen pathways, enrolment and retention across the University’s education portfolio. A recognised leader in science communication, she has also led the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science since joining ANU in 2016.

Was life better in 1976 than it is now? ANUpoll results published by Professors Nicholas Biddle and Matthew Gray found average life satisfaction levels were lower in March 2026 than during COVID-19 lockdowns, and most Australians believe life was better 50 years ago. In more positive news, research co-authored Associate Professor Shiro Armstrong has revealed Japanese investment in Australia has reached record highs. The media remains captivated by superb fairy-wrens, continuing to report on recent research led by the ANU Cockburn Group into the extinction risk facing the birds.

Over the past week, more than 22 Australian National University experts provided commentary across a wide range of issues, including fuel policy, Iran and global trade, migration settings, geopolitical developments such as Qatar–Saudi relations and Vietnam’s growth, as well as social and economic topics like the ‘no-job generation’ and the role of greed in human behaviour.

Thursday 30 April, 1.15pm

Take a closer look at the artworks on campus in a relaxed lunchtime session, featuring works by Jan King, Angelina Pwerle Ngala, Dorothy Napangardi Robinson and Esther Giles Nampitjinpa.

Thursday 30 April, 5.30–7pm

Join Professor Devika Hovell (London School of Economics) for a lecture on disarmament and world order, examining how global rules on force shape power, responsibility and trust across nations.

Monday 4 May, 6.30–8.30pm 

Has the United States entered democratic backsliding, or are its institutions proving resilient? One year into Donald Trump’s second presidency, this ANU panel discussion explores the implications for US democracy, global alliances and Australia.

Thursday 7 May, 4pm–5.30pm

This talk explores how intimacy and relationships are shaped by technology in contemporary Sinophone speculative fiction, examining power, identity and control in digital futures.

Desmond Manderson in conversation with Malcolm McLeod 

Tuesday 28 April, 6–7pm

Caitlin Vincent in conversation with Helen Musa

Thursday 7 May, 6–7pm

Hidden behind the Research School of Physics, the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) is one of the most extraordinary, yet unseen, landmarks on campus. Housing the 15-million-volt Tandem accelerator and superconducting booster linear accelerator, it supports Australia’s only experimental nuclear physics program.

This national facility, supported by the Federal Government, is a high-voltage wonderland of analogue control panels, humming machines and cutting-edge nuclear research. It’s where atomic nuclei collide to unlock discoveries in nuclear physics, materials, climate science, biomedicine and even archaeology.

Access is strictly restricted, so only a few get to see it in person, making it a true hidden gem. For a glimpse inside, ANU has released a video showcasing the accelerator and control rooms – a rare peek into one of the country’s most advanced research environments.

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.