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
McCusker Institute Partner Showcase and Humanitarian Engineering Prize Announcement
Thu 19 Nov 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join the McCusker Institute for their end-of-year showcase featuring a panel discussion with perspectives from academia, community, industry, and student leaders. Explore the...
Waleed Aly : Reasoning with Chaos - Meet the Author
Fri 30 Oct 2026, 6:00 PM to Mon 30 Nov 2026, 7:00 PM
Walkley award winner, Waleed Aly , will be in conversation with Frank Bongiorno on Waleed’s new book Reasoning with Chaos. Dispatches from disorder, a guide...
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 Summer Session and Semester1,...
Need a catalyst for your positive change?: ACT Youth Week Grants Open
Have an idea that could connect, inspire or empower young people in Canberra? Applications are now open for the 2027 ACT Youth Week Grants, with...
Apply Now: McCusker Prize in Humanitarian Engineering
The annual ANU McCusker Prize in Humanitarian Engineering is now open - https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/prizes/mccusker-prize-in-humanitarian-engineering...
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.