As University Provost, Professor Rebekah Brown announced in September 2024 an independent Review to consider matters of gender and culture within the former ANU College of Health and Medicine (the College) and its three Schools, the John Curtin School of Medical Research, the School of Medicine and Psychology, and the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.
The Review was commissioned in response to community members coming forward with significant concerns, and in recognition of the University鈥檚 responsibility to provide a safe, inclusive and respectful campus.
Professor Christine Nixon AO APM conducted the Review under , and considered issues including gender composition, gender inequality, gender-based harassment, and recruitment practices.
The Final Report was submitted on 3 February 2025. Professor Nixon made 8 findings and 17 recommendations highlighting the fundamental importance of transparency and accountability.
Implementation Response
While the Review focused on issues specific to three schools, the Review report also addressed operational matters and strategic considerations for ANU-wide systems and practices and provided suggestions for future actions to support improved culture, particularly in relation to gender, inclusion and equity.
Recognising the opportunity to benefit from a detailed look at how we can do better across the whole University, the ANU community was invited to participate in considering how change could be implemented across the institution.
A Steering Group was established, composed of senior academic and professional staff leaders including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander campus leadership and members representing students, the NTEU, and internal subject matter experts.
The Steering Group worked closely with thematic Working Groups made up of more than 125 staff and student volunteers. Working Groups considered the Review and recommendations over 12 weeks before sharing their conclusions with the University community.
On the basis of these detailed analyses a program of 9 projects was designed to address the substance of Professor Nixon鈥檚 findings and recommendations.
The University Executive Committee is accountable for the overall implementation program as the University鈥檚 principal management committee and the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for project delivery with the Executive Sponsors of the 9 projects. The ANU Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy covers some similar ground to the 9 projects and will be implemented within the same accountability framework.