Adelaide University

We're proud to share that Adelaide University has moved up the QS World University Rankings, reaching #79 in the world ⭐️

Amongst 36 other Australian institutions, Adelaide University was ranked #8 overall and second for our international research network.

Vice Chancellor Prof Nicola Phillips thanks our staff, students, and the broader university community for the hard work that solidified our place in the global top 100 🌏

It is one of our key aims to be globally recognised as Australia’s leading future-making research university of scale and focus, and this improvement of three places on our inaugural ranking shows we are already making our mark 🙌

The first episode of AU in Conversation is here 🎙️ 💜

In 'Episode 1, AI: The Electricity of Our Future – How universities can power what’s next', Vice Chancellor and President Nicola Phillips, Professor Anton van den Hengel, Chief Scientist of our Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML), and postgraduate student Oliver Lack discuss all things artificial intelligence.

Together, they explore the 'AI vampire' phenomenon, Claude addiction, and the ways AI can lift access to learning. They also ponder the impacts of AI cheating in the higher education sector and how and whether it should be policed and punished.

It’s a big, provocative topic – one of many topics that AU in Conversation will continue to navigate in future episodes.

We’re saying a big congratulations to the outstanding members of our community who have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours list 🎉

More than 45 recipients including current and former staff, alumni and friends of Adelaide University have received honours this year.

We're proud to recognise the following recipients from our community:

Companion of the Order of Australia (AC):
💜 Ms Natasha Stott Despoja AC: For eminent service to the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence, to gender equity, and to the promotion of human rights and global systemic change.

Officer of the Order of Australia (AO):
💜 Professor Jozef Gecz AO
💜 Emeritus Professor Michael Roberts AO
💜 Emeritus Professor Mike Young AO
💜 Jim McDowell AO
💜 The Honourable Rob Kerin AO
💜 Frances Kelly AO

Today is World Ocean Day 🌊

In South Australia, we are so lucky to have such incredible beaches at our doorstep. But what makes our oceans so unique? 🤔

We asked our marine biologists from the Environment Institute, Prof Sean Connell and Dr Dominic Mcafee to share some fun facts about our ocean and the incredible work they have been doing in reef restoration 🦪

💜 South Australia sits along the Great Southern Reef, a reef system that is 8,000km long and stretches from Kalbarri in Western Australia to Coolangatta in Queensland - 70 percent of Australia's population lives alongside this reef 🪸

💜 Our coastline is home to some marine animals found almost exclusively in southern Australia, such as the giant cuttlefish and the leafy seadragon 🐠

💜 We are part of the Indian Ocean, which is the warmest ocean in the world and makes it a great place to take a dip 🏖️

💜 Oysters respond to underwater music! Prof Connell and Dr Mcafee have been restoring lost oyster reefs by playing the sounds of healthy reefs to attract oyster larvae, enticing them to settle and grow more quickly at these restoration sites 🦪

📸 Stefan Andrews Ocean Imaging

We are delighted to announce that Ngarrindjeri artist Daniel Rankine, known professionally as Trials, has joined our Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) to mentor the next generation of Aboriginal artists 🖤💛❤️

An award-winning rapper, songwriter, producer and instrumentalist, Daniel has played a defining role in the rise of homegrown hip hop through projects including Funkoars and A.B. Original. His appointment at CASM comes just weeks after the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, 'hendle'💿

Daniel will work directly with students in the studio to teach them the fundamentals of his success – making beats, writing songs, performing, mixing and mastering 🎤🎸

We are proud to support the Adelaide Thunderbirds as Principal Partner who, this weekend, as Tarntanya Karntu, played a thrilling, unforgettable First Nations Round match against the Melbourne Vixens 🩷🔥

The top-of-the-table clash provided an opportunity to celebrate culture, community, and connection through sport as part of National Reconciliation Week 💛❤️🖤

The team proudly wore the First Nations dress designed by Kaurna, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Wirangu woman Gabriel Stengle which represented players past, present and future, united through community and a shared love of netball.

The sold-out match also featured a stellar performance by our very own Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM) student Bousta – a critically acclaimed Arrernte hip-hop artist 🎶

A huge congratulations to the outstanding and inspiring young South Australians who have been recognised in this year’s 7News Young Achiever Awards SA🏆🎉

Among this year’s winners is Adelaide University student Edward Robinson, recipient of the Adelaide University STEM Award, presented by Prof Drew Evans, Dean of Research, College of Engineering and Information Technology.

Edward’s academic excellence comes combined with entrepreneurial vision.

As well as studying electrical and mechatronic engineering, Edward is also the founder and CEO of Robinson Aerospace Systems, a company which develops satellite kits that help make STEM education more engaging and accessible for high school students around the world.

Congratulations to Edward as well as Adelaide University founding alumni who won awards over the weekend. We're proud to sponsor the STEM Award for the 20th year this year (previously under the University of Adelaide) 👏

We're coming together for our first National Reconciliation Week as Adelaide University - Tirkangkaku 🖤💛❤️

This year’s theme, “All In”, invites everyone to reflect, learn and take meaningful action towards reconciliation and across our university throughout the week there are opportunities, including craft activities and cultural experiences, which will enable our community to do just that.

We encourage everyone to get involved and participate.

Last week, we launched two new GeoEnergy Laboratory facilities focused on advancing research, education and innovation in energy sustainability 🔬⚡

The GeoEnergy and Storage Laboratory is located at our Adelaide City Campus and will enable high-resolution analysis of how CO₂ and hydrogen can be safely stored in geological formations, supporting the future of low carbon energy.

The Geomodelling Laboratory recreates Earth processes such as landscape change and plate tectonics, supporting research, education and outreach from primary school through to university level 🌋🪨

These facilities will help drive cutting-edge research in energy security and sustainability, made possible through the support of the SA Government , bp, Chevron, and Beach Energy.

The launch brought together leaders from across industry, research and government, and we look forward to the discoveries ahead 🚀