UC Open Day Fest (September)

This year’s Open Day had a fresh new format with Open Day Fest. Prospective students and their families explored the Bruce campus, taking part in interactive lab demonstrations and tours led by fellow students, enjoying academic showcases and live performances. Open Day Fest was a chance to highlight what UC does best, bringing thousands of visitors to campus.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Open Day Fest!

AUBEA 2025 Conference (November)

UC hosted the 48th Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) International Conference, welcoming researchers, industry leaders and educators to Canberra. Guests discussed sustainability, digital transformation, essential workforce skills and inclusion within the sector.

Stromlo Running Festival (November)

UC strengthened its partnership with the Stromlo Running Festival by once again operating its dedicated . Staff and students from allied health disciplines provided support to runners, offering recovery advice, stretching sessions and hands-on care for tired legs during the festival.

Democracy Reimagined conference (November)

In November, UC hosted the   conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers and community leaders to discuss the challenges facing modern democracies. The event explored issues such as declining public trust, extremism and the spread of misinformation, as well as sharing ideas on how to strengthen democratic systems across the world.

dartR software project wins big at Eureka Awards

UC’s dartR software project received national recognition at the 2025 Eureka Prizes, earning the award for Excellence in Research Software. The project, developed to support genetic data analysis, has become an essential tool for researchers working in ecology, conservation and biodiversity.

Intergenerational retirement living community on campus

In November, UC announced plans for the ACT’s first intergenerational retirement living community, to be built on the Bruce campus. The development will include independent living units, a residential aged care facility and shared wellness spaces. The project will create new opportunities for student placements, training and research in aged care, while building connections between residents and the university community.

Global Environmental Outlook contributions (GEO-7)

UC researchers played a key role in the United Nations’ seventh Global Environmental Outlook, a major report that looks at the state of the world’s climate, pollution and environmental health. Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis led the chapter on air quality, contributing to an important international report on the state of the environment.

Digital News Report: Australia 2025

In June, the ÎçÒ¹AV’s News and Media Research Centre released the Digital News Report: Australia 2025, a major study examining how Australians find, use and trust news. The report draws on over a decade of data and reveals important changes in how people access information.

One of the key findings was social media overtaking online news websites as a main source of news for Australians for the first time, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok especially popular among younger audiences.

2025 was a year full of discovery and achievement, showing just how vibrant life at UC can be. There’s plenty more to look forward to in 2026!