ANU School of Cybernetics

Thomas Biedermann talks about his experience at Game-Based Learning Virtual Conference organised by Dave Eng at University XP.

Read on to find out about:

*The themes discussed and observed at the conference
*Thomas' reflection on a speaker's inspiring talk
*How Thomas presented Cybernations in a unique way.

Want to know more about Cybernations? Go here: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/projects/gameful-experiences-for-hopeful-futures/

"Streetlights are now multi-system systems. They do more than just illuminate; they support urban governance systems through the information they provide."

Learn about Danny Bettay's PhD Borrowed Light, which focuses on how cybernetic smart light systems can be better for our cities, roads, and environments.

Join us in our latest PhD Spotlight: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/news/2026/05/15/phd-spotlight-db/

Who was Florence Violet McKenzie (née Wallace)?
And why do we have a scholarship named after her?

Read on to learn about her life, including her contributions to the Electrical Association for Women (EAW) in spreading adoption of electricity use across Australian homes.

Learn more about our Master of Applied Cybernetics scholarships here: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/education/masters/

Where does your interest and expertise fit?

Cybernetics looks at intersections of technology, society, and the environment. Earlier this year we asked prospective students and their families at Open Day where they currently see themselves and where they would like to be.

What did we see?
- Over 32% of people saw technology as where their expertise and interest best fits
- Almost 70% of people put themselves in a technology related Venn diagram section
- Over 42% of people's interest and expertise is in interdisciplinary areas

So where do you see yourself in this Venn diagram?

Data Centres are being developed "at a rapid rate", so how do we make good decisions about our water budget in Australia?

Our Director Professor Katherine Daniell has spoken to the ABC and Create (Engineers Australia) about these complexities.

We need to understand the trade-offs, consequences, and flow-on effects across technology, society, and our environment to make sustainable decisions for our future.

Read more here: https://createdigital.org.au/australias-massive-water-footprint/

“Meditation on Country works with the creation story of the universe."

Professor Angie Abdilla's work celebrates "the veracity of Indigenous knowledges" and was recently featured in Data Dreams: Art and AI exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA).

In April, members of the ANU School of Cybernetics and our colleagues from across the College of Systems and Society, travelled to Sydney for a very special tour around the Data Dreams exhibition. Join us on our news page as we talk through the insights Angie shared with us about the process of creating Meditation on Country, and to see more of the stunning visuals from the artwork.

Read more here: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/news/2026/04/24/data-dreams-mca/

Applications for our ANU Master of Applied Cybernetics are open! Our 3 common FAQs we get about our program are:

💼 What job prospects and career opportunities do graduates have?
🤖 The course sounds very techy, how true is this?
🧑‍💻 Do I need skills in coding to be able to do the course?

Read through the tiles to find out the answers.
Download our application pack to get more of your questions answered: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/education/masters/

The May edition of the Australian National University's School of Cybernetics newsletter is here!

It's been a great month particularly for our PhD cohort, who we celebrate in this newsletter through their work including spotlight on Danny Bettay's research Borrowed Light, a presentation from Kathy Reid MBA at the State Library Victoria, and announcement from our recent graduate Dr. Lorenn Ruster as an ABC Top 5 Humanities Resident.

In this newsletter you will also see:
- our Master of Applied Cybernetics program opens for applications soon
- LLMs Unplugged is back due to popular demand with even more sessions available
- recent presentations to the ATO and Australian Army
& more!

Subscribe to read all this and more: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/ -to-our-mailing-list-1

We look forward to sharing more cybernetics stories with you soon.

May newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/lists.anu.edu.au/cybernetics-2026-may-newsletter

We are fortunate to have on our walls the wonderful 'Pondi' (2022), a magnificent weaving artwork of a Murray cod made from rushes grown and woven on Ngarrindjeri Country. Pondi was created by Ellen Trevorrow, Jelina Haines, Bruce Trevorrow, Ngarrindjeri family who collected the rushes.

“Nga:tji is our totem, a very important part of our life. It’s identifying the group you’re with. Mine is Pondi, the Murray Cod. I’m from where the Murray River and Lake Alexandrina meet. You look at the River; Pondi don’t swim straight, do they? They come down like the River. I believe the Ngarrindjeri creation story about Ngurunderi. He chased Pondi down the River. Pondi’s crashing widened it all and came right through. Most importantly with our Nga:tji, you’ve got to look after them, and that’s caring for our ruwi, our country, for everything. If we don’t look after our waterways, what’s going to happen? Think of what’s happened to our Pondi,” - Ngarrindjeri Elder and Cultural Weaver Aunty Ellen Trevorrow

This reconciliation week we invite you to come see 'Pondi' on Level 3 of the Birch Building at ANU, learn about how it was made, and start a yarn about reconciliation with your friends.