School Director Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue70 1–31 March 2026

Welcome to the March Lunations!

Congratulations this month to Professor Francis Bennet who has been appointed Associate Dean (Research, Infrastructure & Engagement) and will take up the role in early May.
 
At the March Faculty meeting the School Strategy and Action Plan was endorsed. This plan provides us with agreed direction in a number of areas and a series of concrete actions.  Thank you for the significant input through consultation and workshops over the past year. The School Strategy and Action Plan van be found on the RSAA intranet here. The University Leadership Group (ULG) also convened this week for 2 days of work to bring together the next ANU strategy.

Over summer we advertised the Stromlo Fellow in Radio Astronomy continuing position.  The selection has concluded and we look forward to announcing the outcome in the coming weeks. 

As noted by the Dean in his recent College Newsletter I will work in the role of Acting Dean during April and May while Professor Kiaran Kirk takes a well deserved period of long service leave. To maintain continuity of leadership in the School Associate Director (Education) Professor Mike Ireland has agreed to be Acting Director at RSAA, and Professor Helmut Jerjen will be Acting Associate Director Education during this time, beginning from April 13th. I thank both Mike and Helmut in advance. Given this transition I ask that all communication needing a response or action from the Director please use the functional email account (director.RSAA@anu.edu.au).

Please read on for more news from across the School.

Image: Newly appointed Associate Dean for Research, Infrastructure & Engagement, Professor Francis Bennet.