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Jack Miller (ANU student) Photo: Christopher Jackson

As a child growing up in Cairns, Jack Miller was exposed to more cyclones than most Â鶹´«Ã½AVs. Years later, this increased exposure and interest enabled an opportunity for the ANU undergraduate student to lead author a paper reviewing research into ways to weaken or even stop cyclones.  

As a research assistant with the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions, Jack investigated cyclone interventions, something he originally thought was “a bit of a wacky idea straight out of the 1960s space race.” Some digging demonstrated that it might not be as impossible as it appeared.    

 

This Monday 22 April is Earth Day, an opportunity for us to celebrate sustainability and consider more ways we can take action. Wondering how you can get involved with sustainability at ANU?  

Reduce your carbon footprint by taking One Small Step 

One Small Step is an app that helps users choose sustainable options simply and easy by assisting them in making a big impact by taking small steps towards larger goals.  A public version of the app has been helping people worldwide for years. Now, ANU staff and students can access with ANU and Canberra-specific resources, making change even easier. 

Get involved with initiatives on and off campus like ANU Green 

ANU Green is the University’s operational program that seeks to embed sustainability into the fabric of the campus. Two programs work towards these goals: Dhaagun Environmental Management Plan 2022-2025 and . Want to get involved? Join the , sign up for and follow them on and   

ANU as a living lab 

The Below Zero Program seeks to integrate practical emission reductions with research and teaching activities at ANU, with the aim of using our expertise to drive innovation in this vital sector.  

If your current or upcoming research programs address climate adaptation and the energy transition, contact us to discuss how our team can assist your research or teaching plans.  

Want more? We’ve compiled a list of several opportunities that can help to reduce your carbon footprint and get involved in community initiatives where you can work with others to generate lasting, positive change.

Keep reading for your chance to win an ANU Green reusable cutlery set. 

Wednesday 24 April, 2-5pm 

Research shows almost half of Australia’s university student population are ‘first in family’ or first-generation students. The ANU First Generation Connections Event will be a chance to celebrate the stories and journeys of ANU students, alumni and staff just like Dr Fiona Scotney, Director of the Tuckwell Scholarship Program. Fiona was the first person in her family to attend university, encountering more challenges and barriers than most throughout her higher education journey.  

“For me going to university was like travelling to a country by yourself, not knowing anyone, not being able to speak the language, and then your phone battery dies. It was exciting and terrifying and there were some colourful mishaps, but once I learnt the language, I stayed for 12 years because I knew I had found my place,” Dr Fiona Scotney – speaker at the ANU Generation Connections Event. 

 

Wednesday 17 April, 6pm 

Science. Art. Film. is a series that uncovers wacky, weird and wonderful facets of science and art in films. Films are screened for free at the  and are followed by discussions with artists and ANU scholars from different disciplines. 

In a post-apocalyptic world, teenage bio-hacker Vesper is presented with a chance to save her struggling community if she can find a way to cultivate a precious discovery of seeds. Vesper presents both positive and negative dimensions of genetic engineering, both fulfilling and subverting genre conventions. This film also explores ‘biohacking’ – genetic engineering by lay people – and invites audiences to consider the implications for the ‘real’ world. 

 

Wednesday 24 April, 6-8pm 

Security zones, crucial in international interventions, shape daily life for locals and expats. United Nations missions rely on colour-coded maps, designating safe areas and danger zones. These colours hold specific meanings, influencing perceptions and practices in urban environments. Join Professor Lemay-Hebert from the as he delves into this complex dynamic and potential research directions.  

 

Thursday 2 May, 9.30am-3.30pm 

Are you ready to bolster your influencing and negotiation skills through the art of strategic networking? Learn how to gain consensus and commitment from others, influence key stakeholders, and work towards positive and mutually satisfactory outcomes at this one-day workshop.  

Registrations close Sunday 21 April. 

 

Thursday 9 May, 9.30am-3.30pm 

Expand your knowledge of Indigenous history and culture in this interactive workshop by Dave Widders, an Anaiwan man from Armidale NSW. Dave is an experienced presenter and is driven by a passion to make a positive difference for Indigenous people and promote reconciliation through a two-way education process.  

This course provides a key starting point to recognising the impact of words, behaviour and ways of engagement, to drive mutual understanding and respect in all that we do. 

Registrations close 28 April. 

 

Tuesday 30 April, 6-7pm 

James Bradley will be in conversation with Beejay Silcox on his new book Deep water: The World in the Ocean, which through the lens and narratives of the ocean, offers vital new ways of understanding and being in the world, and how we anticipate our climate future. 

 

Unlock the secrets to successful group work and assessment in this interactive workshop facilitated by the . Delve into innovative strategies to design impactful group assessment tasks or enhance existing ones. Discover practical tips rooted in educational theories and collaborate with peers through hands-on activities and discussions. Register now: 

 

 

The Falling Walls Global Call is an international competition format that brings together science enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds. They are looking for the most recent and innovative breakthroughs of the year. The  is one of the world's premier interdisciplinary events, celebrating science breakthroughs that make an impact. Nominate outstanding research or apply with your own project across eight breakthrough categories.  

Applications and nominations close 1 May. 

  

The Mental Health Strategy Review Taskforce, led by Professor Lyndall Strazdins has an open call for staff and student feedback on the ANU Mental Health Strategy. The University is committed to adopting a culture of openness, collaboration, and support around mental health, and your input is key in achieving this vision. 

The Taskforce is calling for staff members to discuss what you think is working, what else is needed, and what the top priorities need to be. All feedback and submissions will be kept confidential and deidentified, and carefully considered in the strategy development process. 

Make a submission through the , or by emailing inclusive.communities@anu.edu.au.  

Submissions close 30 April. 

 

ANU values the diversity of its staff and student community and wants everybody to feel included, safe and respected. The staff and student codes of conduct outline a set of behaviours that guide how we work, study, research and engage together. 

If you experience behaviours that are not aligned to the codes of conduct, you can now submit a disclosure using the . A disclosure of harmful behaviour is not a formal report or complaint but is a mechanism for the ANU to provide you with information and support through the for staff support and the Student Safety and Wellbeing for student support. The form provides an identified or de-identified disclosure option. 

The (DMP) is a 10-year vision to modernise our digital environment to improve staff and student experience. The DMP Bulletin will share key updates and upcoming priorities with our University community. The first edition has some of the initiatives on the horizon, including Research Portal Plus which will showcase the amazing research undertaken by our academics.

The polls for the election for the Professional Staff representative on Council for the period May 2024 to May 2026 closed last Friday 15 April 2024 at 5pm. Following scrutiny and review of the result Ms Megan Easton has been declared as the elected Professional Staff Member on Council from May 2024 - May 2026. 

Megan will commence her term on 26 May 2024 and will succeed Millan Pintos-Lopez who has served as the Professional Staff Member on Council for the past two years. Megan has worked at the University for over 20 years and is currently a Senior Data Governance Officer within the Scholarly Information Services Division.

Congratulations Megan and sincere thanks to Millan for all his work during his time as the professional staff member representative on Council

The force is strong with this giveaway. Celebrate this Star Wars Day with a chance to win one of 3 double passes to see ONE movie at on Saturday 4 May.

Thanks to Dendy Canberra we have 3 double passes to giveaway to see the film of your choice at House of Sci-Fi, across 15 genre-defining sci-fi epics.  

For your chance to win, simply follow the instructions in the entry form below to participate in the draw, and you could be one of the fortunate winners. Enter this giveaway for a chance to win one of 3 copies of double passes to see ONE movie at Dendy’s House of Sci-Fi Takeover. 

The competition closes at noon AEDT on Friday 26 April. 

Celebrate this Earth Day by kickstarting your sustainability with a chance to win one of ten reusable cutlery sets. 

For your chance to win, simply follow the instructions in the entry form to participate in the draw, and you could be one of the fortunate winners. Enter this giveaway for a chance to win one of ten ANU Green reusable cutlery sets. 

The competition closes at noon AEDT on Tuesday 23 April.