By ABC News
Copyright abc
Sources have confirmed to the ABC that Australian National University vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has resigned from her position, after months of controversy due to sweeping staff cuts and allegations of poor governance.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed the resignation and say more information will be revealed later today.
Professor Bell has been under increasing scrutiny due to forced redundancies and her handling of related concerns from staff and students.
She was appointed as the institution’s 13th vice-chancellor in January 2024, taking over from Professor Brian Schmidt.
The cultural anthropologist inherited what she described as an “enormous number of challenges” at the ANU.
In October of last year, the university announced plans to save $250 million in operating costs by 2026 — including $100 million through salaries.
A series of “change proposals” followed — involving cuts and restructures across the institution.
The ‘Renew ANU’ plan and Professor Bell’s leadership have both been the subject of fierce and mounting backlash from staff, students and the National Tertiary Education Union.
A controversial move to axe the renowned School of Music garnered particular outrage, sparking campus protests and condemnation from leaders in the arts industry.
Australian Chamber Orchestra director Richard Tognetti warned the plan would be tantamount to “cultural vandalism”.
