Dear colleagues
I’m pleased to share that UNSW has ranked 20th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, maintaining our place among the top 20 universities in the world for the third consecutive year. This result makes UNSW the highest-ranked university in NSW and one of only two Australian institutions in the global top 20. This is an exceptional achievement that reinforces UNSW’s position among the world’s leading universities. I would like to thank every member of our remarkable UNSW community who played a part in this achievement for their hard work and dedication.
This recognition highlights UNSW’s commitment to delivering a world-class education for our students and an environment where high-quality research and innovation thrive. It reflects our strong foundation and our focus for the future as we embark on our UNSW Strategy: Progress for All.
Our true success as a university is not defined by rankings alone, but by how we leverage our position and influence, using our truly excellent capabilities to make a meaningful, lasting difference – locally and globally. This result further strengthens our global reputation and long-term commitment to tackling society’s most pressing challenges through transformative education and world-leading research.
UNSW has continued to excel in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which assess universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNSW placed 11th globally among a record 2318 ranked institutions and third globally for Climate Action (SDG 13).
This result recognises the commitment of our University community to delivering real-world solutions for a healthier, more sustainable future. Accelerating the transition to a sustainable society and planet is one of the nine Strategic Pillars that will guide our strategy over the next decade. It is a complex challenge and one where we can make a distinctive and profound impact thanks to our deep expertise in climate science and environmental sustainability.
Support available for students and staff
With profound sadness I want to acknowledge the deepening impact that the ongoing and escalating conflict in the Middle East is having on many in our community. The recent intensification of violence involving Iran, US, Israel and Palestine is distressing, and particularly difficult for students and staff with personal, cultural, or familial ties to the region or conflict.
We understand that global events can significantly affect our wellbeing. Part of our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and compassionate environment is to ensure that support is available to all who need it. If you are feeling overwhelmed, distressed or simply need someone to talk to, please remember that support is available:
Support for students
Support for staff
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free, confidential counselling and support services are available to all staff and their immediate family members.
- HR Business Partners – available to provide guidance and support in navigating workplace impacts.
Another part of that commitment is the behaviours each of us display every day and our generosity, understanding and empathy towards each other. As always, UNSW will not accept racism, hate speech, inciteful behaviour or religious vilification. Visit our SpeakUp website for more information or to speak up about something you have seen or experienced that you need to report.
The George Institute and UNSW renew our affiliation
Chair of The George Institute Dr Paul Schreier, CEO of The George Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health Conjoint Scientia Professor Anushka Patel, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs and UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Dane McCamey at the signing ceremony. Photo: Peter Secheny Photography
On Friday UNSW renewed our affiliation with the world-renowned The George Institute for Global Health (TGI) for a further 10 years. This renewed affiliation builds on the impact of the past eight years, during which we have worked together to improve health outcomes for people in Australia and around the world.
UNSW and TGI are driven by a shared vision to effect change and transform lives through high-impact medical research and education. The Institute believes that everyone has the right to a healthy life, just as an Impact Focus Area of UNSW Strategy: Progress for All is Enable healthy lives.
Since 2017, we have collaborated on innovative, high-impact research that tackles some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to care. Our renewed partnership strengthens our shared commitment to positive societal impact and delivering research that improves lives, now and into the future.
Excitingly, TGI will move into the UNSW Health Translation Hub later this year, in a co-location that will deepen our connections and enable greater synergies between research, policy and clinical practice – supercharging our collaborative efforts.
Thank you to our colleagues at TGI and all at UNSW whose dedication to the affiliation is delivering such impact. Read more about our renewed affiliation in the Newsroom article.
Farewell Freya Campbell and sincere thanks for a parting gift
This week we farewell Freya Campbell, Executive Director Strategic Communications, who leaves UNSW after six and a half years.
Freya has been an indispensable part of our University over that time. Her sage advice and deep institutional knowledge have been tremendous assets to UNSW, to me and to colleagues throughout the University. The breadth of her relationships within and outside UNSW are testament to not only her expertise, but her dedication to ensuring our University’s profile and reputation as one of the world’s leading universities have always been in view. Freya has guided UNSW through celebrations and consternations adroitly, with sharp focus and immutable integrity.
There is much I could say about Freya’s achievements and contributions, but I’d like to mention one in particular, Freya’s zeal for our students – for their education, sense of belonging, wellbeing and overall UNSW experience. It is with this in mind that Freya is giving our University an enduring gift as she leaves.
I know you will join me in thanking Freya for her contribution to UNSW as Executive Director Strategic Communications and now, as a benefactor. I wish Freya well as she takes up the position of Director of Communications at the ABC. UNSW’s loss is certainly Aunty’s gain!
As a parting gift and in memory of her parents, who knew the value of education in changing lives, Freya has made a generous donation to UNSW to establish the Helen and Doug Campbell Refugee Scholarship.
As we do for all staff donations, UNSW is proud to match Freya’s donation to double the value of the scholarship, which will provide for a student who may not otherwise be able to access and afford a university education. Matching donations of this kind are a feature of UNSW’s workplace giving program. It enables us to double the impact of contributions, no matter their size.
You can find out more in this week’s staff profile, which features Freya and also UNSW Librarian Martin Borchert. Freya shares how the experience of growing up in developing nations led her to establish the scholarship in her parents’ names. Martin speaks about the ways in which he is providing opportunities for students through UNSW’s Workplace Giving Program.
Vale Lynette Petrie
It is with deep personal regret and sadness I write this tribute to our late colleague Lynette Petrie, Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and UNSW Press Director, who passed away on 14 June.
Lynette was one of the true champions of UNSW. As those who were fortunate to work with Lynette know, her 12 years as a colleague and friend at UNSW were invaluable. Lynette was an incredibly astute finance director and a person of great substance.
In the years I worked with Lynette, I was always grateful for the clarity of her analysis, her focus on the absolute best for the University and her unflagging objectivity: her advice was factual and fitting, no matter the circumstances. While possessing a wicked sense of humour, Lynette was a consummate professional, the good of the University a constant in her work and leadership of the Financial Planning & Analysis team. She was instrumental in shepherding UNSW’s finances through some of the most challenging times our University has seen, including the pandemic.
Lynette’s impact at UNSW was immense. This was poignantly clear at the beautiful service on Thursday, which many of her UNSW friends and colleagues attended. Libby Stratford, our Chief Finance Officer, gave a moving tribute that sparked both laughter and tears.
I am glad to have known Lynette. Our University is privileged to have benefitted from her talent and friendship. Lynette will always be a treasured part of the UNSW community.
Vale Lynette Petrie, 1975–2025.
Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics celebrates 25 years
Last week, UNSW’s Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics celebrated its 25th anniversary. The centre is the largest genomics facility at any Australian university. It supports impactful science that addresses real-world challenges – from healthcare to environmental conservation.
The centre has remained at the forefront of genomics during periods of extraordinary technological transformation, spanning a quarter of a century. It has analysed more than 1.2 million samples since it opened in 2000, delivering world-class data, analysis and expert guidance to more than 500 global research groups. Over that time, it has continued to empower research excellence that reflects the spirit of UNSW’s Strategy: Progress for All, making a positive societal impact in areas spanning conservation biology, agricultural science and public health.
Congratulations to everyone, past and present, who has contributed to the success of the centre over the past 25 years.
There’s more to read Inside UNSW…
- myTimesheet is now live for our Casual Academic employees. Casual Academic, Casual Professional, Fixed-Term and Continuing Professionals are all now on the one platform for timesheeting. This is a major milestone for the University in our journey towards sustainable pay confidence and ensuring that every hour worked is captured accurately and paid correctly to our employees.
- The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health was opened at UNSW in 2023 in response to the significant health disadvantage experienced by people with intellectual disability. Its conference in July, themed ‘Working Together Every Step of the Way’, explores how we can drive better health outcomes for people with intellectual disability. Register here.
- UNSW has partnered with the Social Research Centre, which conducts the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) initiative, to deliver a symposium exploring the QILT framework and data-driven approaches to enhancing the student experience.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor & President
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