Message from the Head of College: November 2025

November has been unrelentingly busy for the ANU National Security College, just how we like it. Highlights have included bringing our Senior Executive Service leadership program to the continental United States for the first time (more about that in our next newsletter). The academic year is winding up, and we’ve just completed a semester with record enrolments. Scholarships are currently available for next year. Now is the time to apply, and there’s never been a better time to study national security.

Democracy is central to Australia's security and identity as a nation, so it is fitting that our latest publication goes to the heart of the matter. I strongly recommend our new Policy Options Paper from former Australian Electoral Commissioner and now NSC Distinguished Advisor, Tom Rogers AO. It makes a compelling case for Government to prioritise digital literacy if it is serious about security.

We were privileged to host the CEO of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Heather Cook, for a major public address and the release of startling data about the impact of serious and organised crime and what it costs Australia. 

It is now the concluding phase of the NSC’s pioneering Community Consultations project. But it’s not too late to put in submissions to help us understand what Australians think about national security. Interest in the project continues to grow, including from the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, who we were invited to brief earlier this month.  The team are pivoting to preparing their report, making sense of a wealth of meetings, submissions and survey material right across the nation. Look out for a preview of some of our findings in early December. 

The full Community Consultations report will be released as a centrepiece of our signature conference, Securing our Future: a ready and resilient Australia, to be held in Canberra on 24–25 March 2026. Register your interest now.

This year NSC marks 15 years since its founding. We’ve celebrated quietly throughout the year, but look forward to hosting a public event on 8 December where a panel of female leaders from our community will frame our evolving mission. Again, register now to join us, as seats are filling up fast.