Spotlight

Our success starts with our alumni whose achievements are a direct reflection on our standing as one of the best education and research institutions in the world. Many have gone on to prominence. They have made – and continue to make – their marks and achieve excellence in a variety of fields such as business, medicine, arts, and the government.

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Ian Douglas PhD '67

As an undergraduate at Oxford in the 1960s, Ian Douglas became enthusiastic about studying geomorphology in the humid tropics for a PhD. "My geomorphology tutor suggested that one of the places to…

Conor Horgan BEn (R&D) (Hon) '15

From Bermuda to Australia to the UK, CECS Bachelor of Engineering (R&D) alumnus Conor Horgan has travelled far globally and professionally.  When Conor was 11, he moved from Bermuda to…

Sam Cheah

Sam Cheah has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (2015) from ANU where she was also a Tillyard Prize recipient. Sam cofounded Engage: University Outreach, a Canberra based not for profit for high…

Michael Moore

Michael Moore is CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations and a former Minister of Health and Community Care in the ACT…

Georgina Vallance

Georgina Vallance is a Senior Consultant with EY with a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (2014), a Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Studies (2013) and a Bachelor of Law (Hons) (2013) from ANU. She is the…

Anthony Moore

Despite growing up in Canberra, there were still some aspects about ANU that surprised Anthony Moore when he commenced his Bachelor of Arts degree. "I was surprised by what an actively engaged and…

The Hon Susan Ryan AO FAICD

2018 Alumna of the YearSusan Ryan has had a remarkable career advancing equal opportunity legislation and policies for women as well as the rights of older Australians.Susan graduated with an MA from…

Omar Musa

2018 Young Alumnus of the YearOmar Musa is a Malaysian-Australian author, rapper and poet from Queanbeyan. His poetry and music are concerned with the way racist and misogynistic language impacts…

Andrew Harper AM

2018 International Alumnus of the YearAndrew Harper has dedicated his career to helping refugees and those suffering in the face of natural disasters.Andrew has worked with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee…

Dr Francesca Maclean

2018 Student Volunteer of the Year (Postgraduate)During her time at ANU, Francesca Maclean has been a champion for gender equity in STEM. She co-founded Fifty50, a student-run volunteer organisation…

Professor Megan Davis

2018 Indigenous Alumna of the YearMegan Davis is one of Australia's most highly regarded lawyers specialising in public law and public international law. She is a Cobble Cobble Aboriginal woman from…

Jackson Bursill

2018 Student Volunteer of the Year (Undergraduate) While undertaking a double degree, Jackson Bursill combined his passion for fitness and helping others by establishing two endurance events to…

Frank Gafa - An activist for Indigenous and workers' rights

Since returning to ANU, Frank has been passionate about improving the experience for both Indigenous staff and students. As both a former staff member and an alumnus of ANU, he has taken on the…

From ANU to Wall Street to luxury jewellery: Meet alumna Fiona Tilley

From university bookworm to Wall Street to luxury jewellery, Fiona Tilley's life and career have been rich and varied.   The Arts/Law alumna grew up as an Army brat, living in 13 different…

Athalia Irwansjah - One in 100,000 – ANU graduates its 100,000th student

Athalia Irwansjah graduated with a Master of Arts Asia Pacific Studies and the unexpected accolade of being the 100,000th student to graduate from ANU. Athalia commenced her studies at ANU in 2008…

Inspirational women of ANU: Karliea Decker – a burlesque adventuress

Karliea's journey to ANU and subsequent creative ventures into neo-burlesque and clowning are indicative of a woman who sets her own rules. Karliea says: "I was never ever going to go to University.…

Elizabeth Bryan AM

Transformation has been the hallmark of the career of Elizabeth Bryan, one of Australia's most successful businesswomen. Elizabeth was the first woman to run a large financial institution in…

David Johnston

When David Johnston was a boy, he keenly explored the caves near his home, leading his mother to suggest he might become an archaeologist. Later, he became one of the first Indigenous Australians to…

Ms Caitlin Figueiredo

Caitlin Figueiredo is a force to be reckoned with. Among her many accomplishments, she recently became the youngest person chosen as one of the '100 Women of Influence' sponsored by Westpac and the…

Dr Dongxiang Zhang

Dr Dongxiang Zhang is the President of Bank of China Jiangxi Branch. He previously worked in varied branches within Bank of China, including 5 years in Frankfurt Branch, Vice-President of Hamburg…