About IARU > IARU Member Universities > Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is a world-renowned institution dedicated to excellence in research and education. Located in the heart of Canberra, ANU combines a strong national focus with a global outlook, attracting leading scholars and students from around the world.
Leading in research and education
The Australian National University (ANU) was founded by the Australian Government in 1946 to bring the best minds to the biggest questions and strengthen Australia’s international standing. It has since grown into one of the world’s leading centres for research and education.
Research is central to everything ANU does, shaping the educational experience and informing national and international policy. ANU researchers tackle the most important questions facing society and serve as a vital resource for Australia.
Consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 universities, ANU has 94 per cent of its research rated above or well above world standard by the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia initiative.
ANU scholars lead global thinking on key issues, and its students become leaders at home and abroad. A third of students and many staff come from overseas, with more than half of students at postgraduate level. All benefit from small class sizes and close access to top academics. Located in Canberra’s national precinct, ANU offers nearly 5,000 on-campus accommodation places and a distinctive residential experience.
Professor Professor Rebekah Brown, Vice-Chancellor
Professor Bell is a leading figure in technology, culture, and education. As the first female Vice-Chancellor of ANU, she brings academic excellence, industry insight, and visionary leadership to the role.
Professor Rebekah Brown commenced as Interim Vice-Chancellor and President in September 2025. Rebekah is a multi-award-winning educator, researcher and academic leader in environmental studies, specialising in urban water, sustainable development, and transdisciplinary methods. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and has a background as an award-winning and practising civil engineer on mega infrastructure projects across the UK, Europe, South East Asia and Africa.
As chief investigator Rebekah has attracted a career total of $123M in external competitive research funding. She has conceived and led six large-scale research entities across Australia, Europe, South East Asia, and the Pacific as a Program Leader, Research Director, and Chief Research Officer. She was the Founding Director of the ground-breaking $70M RISE program – a multi-country health research program supported by the Wellcome Trust.
She has published 220 papers (H-index = 50, >12,800 citations), including in Nature and Science, and served on five international editorial boards.
Rebekah has a breadth of ongoing governance experience, including as the recent Board Chair of the Monash European Research Foundation and Ministerial Board Representative of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) from Monash, as well as a PhD in Environmental Studies from the University of New South Wales. Rebekah was previously the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President at Monash University.
Mr Jonathan Dampney,
Director, ANU International Office
Jonathan leads the establishment and implementation of ANU’s global engagement priorities, advising on the university executive and coordinating global engagement across the university. He also manages student mobility for ANU. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication from the ANU.
ANU’s involvement in IARU encompasses a broad spectrum of collaborative initiatives, including the:
IARU promotes collaboration through various working groups and joint initiatives
Key IARU roles
President
Professor Rebekah Brown,
Vice-Chancellor
IARU Senior Officer
Mr Jonathan Dampney
jonathan.dampney@anu.edu.au
IARU Key Contact
Mr Jonathan Dampney
