The ANU McCusker Institute develops community-minded leaders who make positive social impact. We inspire students and the ANU community to become active contributors to local, national, and global communities while raising awareness of pressing social issues. We bridge academic research and real-world challenges through transdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to tackle complex societal issues as engaged citizens.
Learn more about the ANU McCusker Institute
News and Events
Curating a Shared Living History
Thu 01 Oct 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Why should museums be curated by the people they represent? Join us for this month's Front Room, an informal space for the McCusker Institute's growing...
COBEO Collaborative Practices Salon #11 - Cultivating Community Through Creative Conversations
Thu 24 Sep 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Collaborative Practices Salon #11: A Space for Exchange Reflections on How We Collaborate Thu, 24 Sep, 3pm - 5pm AEST The Gallery, Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural...
Movie Screening: The Road to Patagonia
Thu 29 Oct 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
It is Recharge Week - the pointy end of the semester - and here's what you need: wonder, joy, and a reminder that they're worth...
Real projects. Real impact.
Want to put your skills to work on something that actually matters? The McCusker Institute is now open for enrolments this Autumn Semester, with a...
Planetary Health Equity Future Leaders Program 2026
ANU, Canberra | 16–27 November 2026 | FreeThe ARC Laureate Planetary Health Equity Hothouse, in partnership with the ANU Privilege Project, is running its fourth...
InnovationACT Grant Applications Now Open
Are you passionate about innovation? Excited to turn bold ideas into real-world impact? Register for InnovationACT and pitch your game-changing business concept to a panel...
Explore all the News & Events to stay connected with the latest happenings at the ANU McCusker Institute and in the broader community.
What We Do
Connect
We connect students with a vibrant network of transdisciplinary researchers, social change advocates and community leaders.
Engage
Innovative projects and real-world learning experiences empower students to engage with social impact and transformation.
Inspire
We foster the changemakers to make a difference in our community through an intellectually rigorous learning environment.
Our Programs
Our expertise spans decades of academic engagement across a wide array of fields, including the social sciences, policy, governance, and humanities. In addition to these areas, we emphasise applying research to real-world challenges that create meaningful social change.
Our flagship offering is the SoCIETIE Initiative — for-credit ANU electives open to students from any degree. New to choosing electives? Start with how to choose an ANU elective.
For Students
Engage with the ANU McCusker Institute by joining the SoCIETIE Initiative course
For Student Advisors
Information for Advising Students on how the SoCIETIE Initiative can fit into their degrees
Photo: ANU Image Library
Our Partners
Find out about our partners, projects, and how to get involved
Our Staff
Become a Fellow, Affiliate, Friend or internal partner of the Institute
Transdisciplinary Courses
The SoCIETIE Initiative is a purpose-built course that stands alone to meet the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Graduate Attribute. Students from any degree can use this course to meet their requirements.
Upcoming KNoTs
Join us at one of our upcoming classes, which we call KNoTs (to Know the Nature of Things). KNoTs are short, intensive courses that explore a specific topic related to social impact, community engagement, and research. See the full schedule.
Reflexivity as a Learning Tool
Mon 28 Sep 2026, 1:00 PM
Listening and Dialogue
Wed 30 Sep 2026, 1:00 PM
Gamified Learning - Community of Practice on Gamified Learning Workshop
Fri 02 Oct 2026, 10:00 AM