Ben Mercer
@mercerb77.bsky.social
Historian of 20th century Western Europe. Author of Student Revolt in 1968 (CUP, 2020) Australian National University.
Reposted by Ben Mercer
“Replacing the ANU vice chancellor is a necessary first step… But it is not a sufficient step…
If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
Why ANU boss Genevieve Bell must go
Replacing the Australian National University vice chancellor is a necessary first step to rebuilding the reputation of the ANU and restoring its legitimacy.
www.afr.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:52 AM
“Replacing the ANU vice chancellor is a necessary first step… But it is not a sufficient step…
If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
If governance and policy direction doesn’t change, it won’t matter who sits in the vice chancellor’s chair – the outcomes for staff, students and the public will be the same.”
www.afr.com/work-and-car...
Reposted by Ben Mercer
Taking out the AAEH best book prize for 2025 was @edelemark.bsky.social
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
July 10, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Taking out the AAEH best book prize for 2025 was @edelemark.bsky.social
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Reposted by Ben Mercer
The $3m ANU consulting contracts designed to ensure 'profit' began life just 17 days after new VC Geneveive Bell started. Was Council ever told the restructure plans were being designed in haste by a private firm? Council minutes don't suggest so. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Exclusive: The consultancy driving ANU cuts
As the ANU slashes costs to address its purportedly dire finances, documents seen by The Saturday Paper reveal it is paying a consultancy $3 million for a confidential strategy focused on profit growt...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
May 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The $3m ANU consulting contracts designed to ensure 'profit' began life just 17 days after new VC Geneveive Bell started. Was Council ever told the restructure plans were being designed in haste by a private firm? Council minutes don't suggest so. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati...
Reposted by Ben Mercer
Well done to all #ANU staff who participated in this.
We'll also be announcing the results for the @nteunion.bsky.social Vote of No Confidence in the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at 12pm today in Kambri at ANU. Hope to see you there! ✊
We'll also be announcing the results for the @nteunion.bsky.social Vote of No Confidence in the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at 12pm today in Kambri at ANU. Hope to see you there! ✊
'Incalculable damage': More than 450 ANU staff demand answers on budget cuts
Staff want concrete details as ANU reveals improved 2024 deficit.
www.canberratimes.com.au
March 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Well done to all #ANU staff who participated in this.
We'll also be announcing the results for the @nteunion.bsky.social Vote of No Confidence in the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at 12pm today in Kambri at ANU. Hope to see you there! ✊
We'll also be announcing the results for the @nteunion.bsky.social Vote of No Confidence in the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor at 12pm today in Kambri at ANU. Hope to see you there! ✊
Reposted by Ben Mercer
It is time for this farce to end. It is time for #ANU Council to act to put the university community before the individual.
@nteunion.bsky.social members care deeply about ANU. The Vice-Chancellor is damaging the university and bringing it into disrepute.
@nteunion.bsky.social members care deeply about ANU. The Vice-Chancellor is damaging the university and bringing it into disrepute.
ANU boss Genevieve Bell on Intel salary until last month
Genevieve Bell, who asked staff to take a 2.5 per cent pay cut, has also been on Intel’s payroll since she arrived at ANU in 2017.
buff.ly
December 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM
It is time for this farce to end. It is time for #ANU Council to act to put the university community before the individual.
@nteunion.bsky.social members care deeply about ANU. The Vice-Chancellor is damaging the university and bringing it into disrepute.
@nteunion.bsky.social members care deeply about ANU. The Vice-Chancellor is damaging the university and bringing it into disrepute.
Reposted by Ben Mercer
No more RSNZ funding for the Humanities or Social Sciences! How can we possibly serve the world of tomorrow if we do not fund the critical thinkers of today? I am so sad. #AcademicSky #History
Marsden Fund refocused for science with a purpose
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins today announced the Government has updated the Marsden Fund to focus on core scientific research that helps lift our economic growth and c...
www.beehive.govt.nz
December 4, 2024 at 3:17 AM
No more RSNZ funding for the Humanities or Social Sciences! How can we possibly serve the world of tomorrow if we do not fund the critical thinkers of today? I am so sad. #AcademicSky #History
Reposted by Ben Mercer
‘she would “find you out and hunt you down”. Following that comment, one person felt so ill they had to leave the room, said people who were at the meeting.’ Sweet. www.afr.com/work-and-car...
ANU staff rebel against boss Genevieve Bell’s Silicon Valley restructure
University staff say they feel demoralised by Genevieve Bell’s leadership, calling her proposed overhaul “a corporate-style raid of a national institution”.
www.afr.com
December 3, 2024 at 7:02 AM
‘she would “find you out and hunt you down”. Following that comment, one person felt so ill they had to leave the room, said people who were at the meeting.’ Sweet. www.afr.com/work-and-car...