Staff updates

News, events and updates from and for UQ staff.

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This week is National NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. UQ is hosting a range of events between Sunday 6 and Sunday 13 July.
Registrations are now open for UQ’s 2025 All Staff Expo. On Tuesday 5 August from 10am to 1pm, visit the UQ Centre to learn about the great range of benefits available to staff. Come and meet UQ teams, partners and service providers while enjoying free coffee, food and giveaways. On the All Staff Expo webpage, tell us your favourite staff benefit for a chance to win a $100 Patina voucher.
UQ’s July graduation ceremonies will be held at St Lucia from Monday 14 to Friday 18 July. During this time, road closures will be in place. Where possible, please be mindful of noise and avoid unnecessary vehicle movement in and around the UQ Centre (27A), the Great Court, Union Road, and Campbell Place.
Expressions of interest (EOIs) are open for Mood Food, a free online behaviour change program run by UQ Wellness. Over 12 weeks, you’ll improve your gut, brain, and mental health. Participants will receive weekly on-demand video content, a 20-minute one-to-one online dietitian consultation, meal plans, recipes, and one year of access to the Mood Food platform. EOIs close on Tuesday 22 July and the program starts on Tuesday 5 August.
Wordsmith’s Cafe, located at Building 4, St Lucia campus, has permanently closed. We sincerely thank the Wordsmith’s team for their services to the UQ community. Property and Facilities is continuing work to ensure there is a diverse range of shops and services on UQ’s campuses and sites.
The program for Teaching and Learning (T&L) Week is now live, and EOIs are open to present at 2 events. Share your knowledge, experience and reflections at the Indigenising the Curriculum Showcase and the Elevate Inclusion: Supporting Student Success session. Submit your EOI by 9am on Thursday 31 July. T&L Week will run from Monday 3 to Friday 7 November, and the 2025 theme is ‘Elevate’.
There’s one week left to shape UQ’s next Strategic Plan. Before next Monday 14 July, visit UQ’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 webpage to read the background paper, watch recordings of the recent strategy forums, and provide your feedback. Don’t miss your chance to share your insights and have your voice heard.
Expressions of interest are now open to present at or participate in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unconference on Tuesday 12 August. This informal, interactive event brings together staff and students who are working in, or interested in learning about, EDI. If you have lived experience, expertise, or an interest in EDI, express your interest in presenting or participating by Wednesday 23 July. If you have an idea for a session, submit an EOI by Thursday 17 July.
The School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science (HMNS) Personal Training Program is back in 2025. The online and face-to-face program is designed for people who are not currently reaching their recommended levels of weekly exercise. Second-year UQ students, supervised by accredited professionals, will guide you through the 8-week program. For $230, you can access 18 individual training sessions and 5 group sessions throughout Semester 2 to become more active safely, effectively and sustainably.
Applications for the Teaching Foundations: RPL module close Thursday 17 July. In this module, designed for UQ staff with substantial teaching experience, you will reflect on prior learning and teaching to fulfill the requirements of the Teaching Foundations Certificate. Completion leads to Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and an invitation to apply for the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice (eligibility criteria apply).
The P10 Aquatic Centre carpark (outdoor) is permanently closed to enable construction of the new UQ Sport Fitness Centre. Access to the P10 UQ Centre and P10 Synthetic Playing Fields carpark is now via Sir William MacGregor Drive. For more details, including alternative parking and access maps, visit UQ’s road and building works updates webpage.
If you’re teaching in Semester 2, don't forget to register for Ready to Teach Week (Monday 14 to Friday 18 July) and Ready to Tutor Week (Monday 28 to Thursday 31 July). Join this exciting lineup of events to enhance your teaching skills, prepare materials, and connect with peers.
Registrations are now open for Blackboard (Learn.UQ) Ultra workshops, which will be held throughout July. Workshops are delivered via Zoom and cover Ultra Basics, Assignments (group and video), Tests and Gradebook. Alternatively, you can complete a self-paced online module.
UQ teaching staff and learning support staff are invited to apply for the Teaching@UQ course. The program will help to strengthen your skills, connect curriculum, pedagogy and assessment and enhance student engagement. Completion leads to an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and an invitation to apply to the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching Practice. Apply by Friday 11 July.
The UQ–TUM Workshop Grant Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme, a collaboration between UQ and the Technical University of Munich (TUM), supports delivering and attending joint workshops and symposia between the 2 universities. A maximum of 5 grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Applications close Monday 28 July.
Apply now for a 2025 Teaching Innovation Grant to explore responsible AI use, secure and credible assessment practices, or embedding Indigenous perspectives in transformative learning experiences. Funding of up to $150,000 is available for projects.
Enrolments are open for Cyber Security Fundamentals training on Wednesday 23 July. This introductory course, held in person at St Lucia, is designed to help you stay safe online, both at home and at work. You’ll learn practical skills to boost your cyber confidence and give you the tools to recognise and respond to common threats.
The UQ Ally Network is a cohort of well-informed staff who create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for people of diverse sexes, genders and sexualities at UQ and in the broader community. All UQ staff, regardless of identity, are invited to join the network by completing a UQ Ally Workshop. In-person workshops are being hosted at St Lucia, Gatton, Dutton Park and Long Pocket throughout the second half of 2025, and enrolments are open now via Workday.
Submissions are invited to the review of the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), which will be conducted by the Academic Board from Monday 18 to Wednesday 20 August. The terms of reference for the review are available via the Academic Board website. Submissions should be sent to the review coordinator at uqreviews@uq.edu.au by Monday 14 July.
As part of UQ's commitment to fostering a safe, positive and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ people, we provide a range of resources – including training, guides, templates and support services – to support both staff and students. These resources are designed to help ensure everyone can work and study free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.
Looking for a new furry friend? The UQ VETS Pets for Life Adoption Program, based at Gatton, has 7 cats available for adoption. Cats of all ages, sizes, colours and attitudes are searching for a new loving home – including 2-year-old Columbus (pictured), who loves people and wants to be your new best friend. Book an appointment to meet a cat by calling 5460 1868 or emailing svs-csc@uq.edu.au.
Windows 10 will reach the end of support on Tuesday 14 October. This means Microsoft will stop releasing free security updates, bug fixes and technical support. If you use a UQ computer that currently runs Windows 10, take action to upgrade, dispose of, or replace it before support ends. For assistance, please contact your faculty, institute or area’s local ITS team.
Applications for the University of Queensland Press (UQP) Mentorship Prize for Under-represented Writers are now open. This prize is for previously unpublished authors and includes prize money of $5000, a residence at UQP’s office, and consideration of the final manuscript by a UQP publisher with an option to publish the work. Entries close on Friday 1 August.
Did you know that UQ staff can subscribe to a summary of highlights from media coverage about the University? An email newsletter is distributed each weekday morning. To subscribe to the summary, send an email from your staff email address to UQ's media and communication teams.
Do you have stuffed toys at home that are no longer being used? The dogs in the care of UQ VETS would love to inherit them. The UQ VETS Pets for Life adoption program is now taking donations of old soft toys that are clean and dog-safe – with no batteries, Styrofoam, beans or wires. You can donate them at the Clinical Studies Centre at Gatton at any time. You can also drop off your donations on Floor 2 of Building 99 (Glasshouse Rd near Walcott St) at St Lucia.
Find your new best friend through UQ VETS. There are 3 pets currently looking for new homes – could you help them find their new forever families?

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