The Last Lecture

What is the Last Lecture?

This is not a University award decided by a committee, and it's not an election; it's for students to decide who they would like to hear speaking at a 'red velvet' event in October - a symbolic end to the academic year.

The selected lecturer will be enthusiastic and a good speaker, have rapport with student audiences and be someone you think should speak to more than just a lecture group.

The Last Lecture is an initiative supported by the Dean of Students, the ANU Students' Association (ANUSA), and the Postgraduate and Research Students' Association (PARSA).

How can I nominate someone?

There are two nomination periods towards the end of each semester. The nomination period for Semester 1 is from Monday 11 May to Monday 18 May 2009. In Semester 2 it will be open between Monday 3 August and Friday 7 August 2009. You may nominate a lecturer in either period regardless of whether they taught in Semester 1 or 2.

Nominations can be submitted online. You will need to enter your student number and ISIS password first.

You will then be asked to give the name of the lecturer you are nominating and what class you have seen them in (however you do not need to have been taught by or enrolled in any of the lecturer's classes). Please be aware that lecturers will be asked to accept nominations after you have nominated them, you do not need to seek this acceptance beforehand.

You will also need to supply brief but specific reasons why every member of the ANU Community needs to hear this lecturer speak. You are askd to provide your own details so we can contact you if we need to confirm details about your nomination.

Nominations open: Monday 3 August until Friday 7 August 2009

Who can be nominated?

Any staff member of ANU who lectures in any class or subject taught this year.

Who can nominate a lecturer?

Any enrolled student of ANU can nominate a lecturer. You may submit more than one nomination.

How does voting happen? Who can vote?

Voting will take place online between 21 September and 24 September 2009. Only enrolled students can vote, and you will be asked to enter your student number and ISIS password to confirm this.

We wish to assure students regarding the security measures in place for voting. ANU uses all reasonable care to protect the privacy and secrecy of the data. Your identifier will be kept until the result has been determined and announced. Your identifier is not linked to your vote. All material will be destroyed at the appropriate time. Once you have logged in, you will be asked to select from the list the lecturer you would like to see deliver the Last Lecture. You do not need to have been taught by or enrolled in any of the lecturer's classes.

The Last Lecture is not simply a popularity vote.

The votes a lecturer receives will then be weighted against the number of students they have taught during the year, based on enrolled student numbers in the subjects they have taught. This is to avoid excluding those who teach small classes. For further information on the voting system please contact the Dean of Students Office.

When will we know the result?

The results will be calculated after 24 September, and the chosen lecturer will be contacted. We'll then post the name of the Last Lecturer on this website.

What happens after?

Come to the Last Lecture, which will be held at 5.30pm Thursday 29 October 2009 in the Hall of University House.

Come early as seats are limited and last year the Hall was packed out.

The selected lecturer will deliver the lecture that will be followed by tasty refreshments and drinks. It's a Thursday night, so there are heaps of options for afterwards.