School of Culture, History & Language

20/09/2026

A privilege to collaborate with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra, alongside the South Asia Research Institute (SARI) and the School of Culture, History & Language (CHL) at ANU, to bring this special conversation to Immersia 2026.

The panel provided a valuable platform for four emerging Sri Lankan doctoral researchers at ANU to share their research and perspectives on the social, cultural and economic dimensions shaping Sri Lanka today.

We are grateful to Her Excellency Ms Yasoja Gunasekera, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia, for joining us and for her generous engagement with our researchers and academic community.

A meaningful reflection of what collaboration can make possible — connecting scholarship, community and regional perspectives through conversation.

Thank you to the High Commission, SARI, CHL, Dr Muhammad Kavesh, our moderator Dr Sean Perera, and especially the four researchers for making this such a thoughtful and engaging part of 2026 Immersia.

19/09/2026

Week 1 of 2026 Immersia, in a flash⚡

What a week it’s been! From workshops and performances to conversations, creativity and cultural experiences, there’s been plenty happening across 2026 Immersia.

Here’s a quick look back at some of the moments from Week 1. ✨

But we’re not done yet! 👀

Ready for Week 2? Explore the program, find your next event and keep the Immersia experience going!
https://immersia.anu.edu.au/

Asia & the Pacific at ANU Australian Centre on China in the World The Australian National University ANU Student Life ANU Alumni Embassy of Japan in Australia Australian Dictionary of Biography CHL HDR Students Sri Lanka High Commission, Australia Canberra Cavalry Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast Clandestino Canberra The Canberra Times Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) Inc

14/09/2026

Come along this evening for an insightful and fun conversation about multilingualism, identity, and shared experiences!

What does it mean to grow up in Australia speaking more than one language?

Join young multicultural voices from across Canberra for an honest conversation about language, identity, belonging and living between cultures.

📅 Tonight — Monday 14 September
⏰ 5:30–6:30 pm
📍 Hedley Bull 2, ANU, Acton
🎟️ FREE EVENT

Everyone is welcome!

Register: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-immersia-growing-up-in-australia-with-more-than-one-language

ACT Government Migrant Workers Service -Canberra University of Canberra Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) Inc Multicultural Hub Canberra Community Services ACTCOSS - ACT Council of Social Service Inc. ACT Human Rights Commission The Australian National University ACT Bilingual Education Alliance

12/09/2026

Weekend festivals are great. 🎉

But what if your workweek plans also came with a point of difference?

🌏 Immersia is a festival with a little more going on.

Come curious. Get hands-on. Meet people. Try something new. Explore Asia and the Pacific through immersive experiences, culture, creativity, conversation and research — without feeling like you’ve accidentally come to work. 😉

This week, make your plans a little more interesting!

📍 ANU
🎉 Immersia
🌏 Asia & the Pacific
✨ Come for the experience. Stay for the unexpected.

https://immersia.anu.edu.au

Asia & the Pacific at ANU Australian Centre on China in the World ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs ANU Student Life ANU Alumni CHL HDR Students ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc. ACT Bilingual Education Alliance ACT Desi ANU Anthropology ANU School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics ANU Schmidtposting Clandestino Canberra Australia Tibet Council Embassy of Japan in Australia Australia-Japan Foundation The Australian National University

10/09/2026

🌏Discover more at 2026 Immersia!

Looking for more to add to your Immersia calendar?

Over the next two weeks, there are exhibitions, book launches, music, culture and conversations waiting to be explored.

Whether you are interested in Pacific stories, literature and history, music and tradition, translation, or connections across cultures, there is plenty to discover throughout Immersia.

Find your next event and be part of 2026 Immersia!
See the full program on the Immersia website: https://immersia.anu.edu.au/


ANUEvents

19/08/2026

🌏 BE PART OF IMMERSIA! 🎉

Want to help bring our School’s biggest celebration of culture, community and connection to life? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the Immersia team! 🙌

Whether you can lend a hand on the day, help behind the scenes, welcome guests, support activities or simply bring your energy and enthusiasm — we’d love to have you.

✨ Meet new people
🌏 Celebrate cultures from around Asia and the Pacific
🎉 Be part of an incredible program of events
💛 Have fun while making a difference

Sign up to volunteer and be part of the magic!

ANUEvents

17/08/2026

What can a 4,000-year-old painting tell us about how people moved across Southeast Asia?

A remarkable rock painting in Indonesia is offering new clues about one of humanity’s great migrations — and researchers from the ANU School of Culture, History & Language at Asia & the Pacific at ANU are helping uncover the story.

The research brings together archaeology and the study of the region’s deep human history, offering a glimpse into movements and connections that took place thousands of years ago.

Read more from our ANU researchers in The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/4-000-year-old-rock-painting-in-indonesia-offers-clues-to-one-of-humanitys-greatest-migrations-288516

The age of the rock art at Wetar means it could be one of the earliest places outside of Taiwan to document the Austronesian migration.

21/06/2026

When Anna Naupa submitted her PhD thesis, she became the first ni-Vanuatu person to earn a doctorate from ANU. Now, she has reached another historic milestone as the first woman and first ni-Vanuatu appointed Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Her journey, guided by the concept of “kastom roads”, highlights the power of Indigenous knowledge, diplomacy and cultural leadership.

Read her story: https://chl.anu.edu.au/news/following-kastom-roads-anna-naupa-becomes-first-ni-vanuatu-phd-graduate-anu

Asia & the Pacific at ANU The Australian National University ANU Alumni ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs Pacific Manuscripts Bureau ANU Alumni Study ANU CHL HDR Students PhD students National Archives & Library of Vanuatu

17/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Anna Naupa, CHL PhD graduate and the first ni-Vanuatu PhD graduate from ANU.

What a remarkable achievement—and one that is richly deserved. We are incredibly proud to see Anna's contributions to research, education and her community recognised in this way.

Anna's journey reflects the power of education, perseverance and a commitment to creating positive change for future generations.

Watch this space for Anna's story, coming soon!



ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs Asia & the Pacific at ANU The Australian National University ANU Alumni Department of Pacific Affairs Australian High Commission, Vanuatu ANU Pacific Institute

‼️VANUATU RISES AT MSG — CONGRATULATIONS ANNA NAUPA‼️🇻🇺

Today, Vanuatu stands proud.

Dr. Anna Naupa — one of our nation’s finest minds and respected leader in development — has been appointed Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

This is a historic moment. Since the MSG was founded in 1986 by the giants of Melanesia — Paias Wingti of Papua New Guinea, Fr. Walter Lini of Vanuatu, Ezekiel Alebua of Solomon Islands, and our brothers from the FLNKS — Vanuatu has waited 40 years to lead this organization. Today, that wait ends.

As a woman taking the helm, Ms. Naupa’s appointment sends a clear message to every young ni-Vanuatu girl: aspire for the best, because the highest offices in our region are within your reach. Her leadership will inspire a new generation to dream bigger and serve boldly.

The Vanuatu Government holds immense confidence in Dr. Naupa’s capabilities, leadership, and integrity. We commend the MSG and the selection team for a transparent process that has delivered the right leader for this moment.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat extends his warmest congratulations to Dr. Naupa on her successful appointment. He wishes her strength, wisdom, and every success as she takes up this critical role.

We know the MSG was born from struggle — its heart has always been the political aspirations of the Kanak people and the big issues facing Melanesia. Over the years the organization has grown, expanding its focus to trade, sports, culture, and other areas of common interest that bind our nations. Vanuatu believes the success of the MSG under Dr. Naupa’s leadership will depend on never losing sight of that founding spirit — solidarity, justice, and self-determination for our peoples.

Anna, you carry not just a title, but the hopes of a region. You carry Vanuatu’s pride, Melanesia’s trust, and the spirit of Fr. Walter Lini’s vision.

Go well, lead boldly, and make Melanesia shine.

Congratulations, Director General Dr. Anna Naupa🇻🇺👏👏👏

- Office of the Prime Minister
Republic of Vanuatu

10/06/2026

“What do they think of us?”

It was a question that stayed with CHL PhD candidate Tulsi Rajyaguru long after a meeting with philanthropists and funders had ended.

Not because philanthropists misunderstood the organisations they funded, but because their understanding and focus differed so greatly from hers — shaped by their own subjective interactions, personal experiences and assumptions about the people and communities they hoped to help.

After years working in Melbourne’s civil society sector, Tulsi became fascinated by the different ways philanthropists, foundations and not-for-profit organisations understand one another. Those questions now sit at the heart of her PhD research at ANU.

Her work explores how people navigate what they know — and don’t know — about each other during the process of giving and receiving funding, and how those understandings shape philanthropic relationships.

Read more about her research journey:
https://chl.anu.edu.au/interview/reading-between-lines-philanthropy

Asia & the Pacific at ANU Study ANU ANU Alumni The Australian National University CHL HDR Students PhD students ANU Schmidtposting