Founding geographer’s life mapped through documents

He founded the study of geography in Australia and Canada, helped unlock the secrets of Antarctica, was a prophet of environmental determinism, and helped shape ANU at is conception. Now the life of Thomas Griffith Taylor is being celebrated in a new exhibition.

Was ancient Earth a lava time bomb?

Ancient Earth suffered repeated episodes of catastrophic volcanism that buried much of its surface under up to 15 kilometres of lava.

Kidney function discovery sheds light on genetic complexity

To find a cure for cancer, haemophilia and other diseases, researchers need to be looking for complex, interacting genetic factors, according to the authors of a new study.

Staff awards for all stripes

You won’t see the names Maryla Krolikowska or Ken Staples in Science or Nature soon, but at the staff awards this year they were celebrated on equal footing with the most lauded academics.

History goes home as telescope leaves Stromlo

A significant part of Australia’s astronomical history has begun the long journey home as the famous Great Melbourne Telescope returns to Victoria from Mount Stromlo Observatory.

Ten for ten: ANU and UniSA students swap places

Ten ANU students will be swapping campuses with peers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) this month under the new program Summer Research Scholarships program.

College honours more exceptional alumni

The ANU College of Business and Economics inducted seven distinguished alumni into its Hall of Fame in a ceremony on Wednesday 19 November.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Stephen King, Commissioner for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and soon-to-be Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Monash University.
Dr King commended […]

Media work leads to public impact: Winner

Academics who most successfully used the media to communicate their research and expertise to the public in 2008 were rewarded at a low-key event at University House this month.

Staff Info - 26 November 2008

Staff briefings on salary increase, proposed collective agreement
Provisional agreement has been reached between ANU and the unions on enterprise bargaining negotiations. As staff briefings and voting are likely to take up to six weeks to finalise, the Vice-Chancellor has agreed to introduce the 4.5 per cent increase in salary rates in pay from 11 December […]

Student Info - 26 November 2008

Graduations
The final graduation ceremonies for the year are less than three weeks away. If you are receiving your degree at one of the events on Thursday 11 or Friday 12 December 2008, you can find lots of information about what to do on the day at the ANU Graduations website . Information covered includes gown […]

Pasifika Australia inspires students

Pacific Islander high school students from across the ACT and Greater NSW were inspired to get ‘enthusiastic about tertiary study and the field of Pacific Studies’ at the inaugural Pacific Studies Weekend Workshop, which took place at ANU last weekend.

Awards - 26 November 2008

Professor Mick Dodson has been named ACT Australian of the Year 2009 for his ongoing contribution towards justice, reconciliation and improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. He is the Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Studies at ANU. Read more at the awards website .
Professor Marc Feldmann from Imperial College, London, has been […]

Movements - 26 November 2008

Professor Andrew MacIntyre has been appointed the new Dean of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, and Director of the Research School of Asia and the Pacific. Previous office holder Professor Robin Jeffrey will retire at the end of the year. Professor MacIntyre was previously Director of the Crawford School of Economics and […]

Bookshelf - 26 November 2008

Bookshelf
Literature in Second Language Education
Piera Carroli
Continuum International Publishing
Crisis as Catalyst
Edited by Andrew MacIntyre, John Ravenhill, and TJ Pempel
Cornell University Press
Australian Humanities Review - Issue 45, 2008
Edited by Monique Rooney and Russell Smith
ANU E Press
Public Leadership: Perspectives and practices
Edited by Paul ’t Hart and John Uhr
ANU E Press
Islamising Indonesia: The Rise of […]

Scene @ ANU - 26 November 2008

[From left] Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence Cram presents the 2007 Curtin Medal to Professor Marc Feldmann from Imperial College, London. Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Professor Frances Shannon, also attends. (Photo: Karen Edwards, JCSMR)

Professor Frances Shannon [right] congratulates Professor Marc Feldmann after he’s received the 2007 Curtin Medal for his work […]

Spaces @ ANU - 26 November 2008

Who: Alice Sharrad
What: Graduations Officer
My favourite space on campus is … the large rock that sits on the intersection of paths between Willows Oval and Union Lane.
I like it because … no matter the weather, it’s sheltered and warm with a view of Sullivans Creek, ducks prospecting for lunch, and during spring the baby magpies […]

Australian first: Kangaroo genome mapped

Australian researchers have launched the world first detailed map of the kangaroo genome, completing the first phase of the kangaroo genomics project.

ANU cuts carbon emissions to 2002 levels

The Australian National University has made major cuts to its carbon emissions according to its Annual Environmental Report.

Corals reveal Australia in for more, meaner droughts

New coral records have revealed that Australia and Indonesia are likely to experience more frequent and intensified droughts, while eastern Africa is likely to get wetter.

Italian week celebrates ‘piazza’ theme

Art, architecture and the Italian language were celebrated on campus during the 8th annual Italian Language Week which focused on the theme of Italian and the ‘Piazza’.
ANU hosted an art exhibition, a public lecture and a book launch as part of the event which was supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 150 […]

Climate change in sights of new institute

A new institute will draw on expertise from multiple disciplines to take on climate change issues.

Secret life of lecturers, at last

Sociology lecturer Dr Alastair Greig marked his 30th year at ANU by giving students an insight into the life of lecturers at the 2008 Last Lecture.

Distinguished dozen: Students name the best at Festival of Teaching

Students named their top 12 educators at ANU during the inaugural Festival of Teaching last month.

Heritage and arts workers to benefit

People working in the heritage and arts sectors in Australia can access training, experts and industry linkages via a new initiative launched by the federal arts minister.

First vet lends name to building

Construction work has started on the first in a series of projects to upgrade research and teaching facilities in the ANU College of Science.