ANU releases College of Arts and Social Sciences Implementation Plan

The Australian National University (ANU) today released the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Implementation Plan, following an extensive consultation process that received more than 1,100 submissions from staff and stakeholders across Australia and internationally.   

The Implementation Plan outlines changes made in response to feedback provided on the Organisational Change Proposal issued on 3 July 2025 and confirms a strengthened financial outlook for the College and the University.  

“Due to higher-than-expected voluntary separations, staff attrition, retirements and vacancy management, the University’s financial position has improved,” Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Rebekah Brown said.  

The feedback received during consultation reflected strong engagement with the future of the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, and key national collections.   

“Our community expressed deep support for two of our significant scholarly and cultural assets, the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the Australian National Dictionary Centre, which secured its future through philanthropic generosity. We’re so thankful for this support,” Dean of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Bronwyn Parry said.   

The University also acknowledged significant community concern relating to the School of Music. 

The Implementation Plan confirms that the proposed School of Creative and Cultural Practice will not proceed, and no structural changes will be made to the School of Music under the Renew ANU Plan.  

“We are pleased to confirm the continuation of the School of Music in its current structure, and we remain committed to performance, student experience and the partnerships that connect our musicians to Australia’s cultural life,” Professor Parry said.   

“Performance remains at the heart of the ANU School of Music and that’s not changing. What we will be offering is greater flexibility in how students can structure their study while continuing to be supported through one-to-one tuition, ensemble work, group learning, and live performance.”   

As part of the University’s commitment to performance, a new Performance+ Hub will be established.   

“From 2026, students will have the opportunity to audition for the Performance+ Hub. The Hub will offer further one-to-one instrumental or vocal tuition, ensuring that students with strong performance ambitions continue to receive personalised, advanced training alongside a contemporary and flexible degree structure.”  

“The Performance+ Hub has been designed to be open, flexible and demand driven with teaching allocations based on student requirements.”  

Strong partnerships with elite music organisations – including the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the Canberra International Music Festival and the National Folk Festival – will continue to offer exceptional student experience, industry access and professional pathways.  

From 2026, the Bachelor of Music will introduce a new Major in Music Practice, uniting the former Performance and Composition majors into a single, flexible framework. Students can continue to specialise in either area or combine the two, reflecting the way contemporary musicians work across creative modes and technologies.   

“This renewed curriculum preserves our core teaching traditions while offering greater flexibility and expanding opportunities in composition, contemporary music production, music technology, and research pathways, ensuring students are prepared for the full spectrum of contemporary music careers,” Professor Parry said.  

The University is committed to the health and wellbeing of all staff. As we implement these important changes across the College, we will continue to work with our community to ensure they are effective and sustainable.  

“The CASS Implementation Plan sets ANU on a path that strengthens academic excellence, preserves national cultural institutions, and supports our people and ensures our students receive an outstanding education and experience,” Professor Parry said.   

Additional quotes attributable to Professor Bronwyn Parry, Dean of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences  

“This Implementation Plan reflects the extensive feedback received during consultation and demonstrates that we have listened and responded.”  

“Students will have the opportunity to audition to receive one-to-one instrumental or vocal tuition. The Hub will ensure students with strong performance ambitions continue to receive personalised, advanced training alongside a contemporary and flexible degree structure.”  

“The introduction of the Performance+ Hub together with the renewed 2026 Bachelor of Music curriculum preserves our core teaching traditions while offering greater flexibility, ensuring our students are prepared for the full spectrum of contemporary music careers.”  

Additional quotes attributable to Professor Rebekah Brown, Interim Vice-Chancellor  

“The level of engagement in this consultation reflects how deeply staff, students and the wider community value the humanities, social sciences and creative arts at ANU.”  

“We look forward to continuing to work with our community, and our partners across a number of elite music organisations – including the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the Canberra International Music Festival and the National Folk Festival – to offer exceptional student experience, industry access and professional pathways.”