The annual Order of Australia Association – Australian National University Lecture is an initiative of the ACT Branch of the Order of Australia Association. The Lecture was established in 2010 with the aim of further recognising the contribution made by academic members of the Order of Australia to the fabric of Australian society. It continues to address topics that shape our nation’s identity and future.

The list of Lectures is:

2025. Emeritus Professor Mark Howden AC: ‘Go hard or go slow on climate change ? What’s in the national interest?’ 

2024. Professor Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt AO: ‘A Possible World: Transforming Gender Relations for Sustainability’.

2023. Professor Kiaran Kirk AM FAHMS: ‘Humanity’s ongoing battle with infectious disease.’  

2022. Professor Rory Medcalf AM: ‘Making sense of national security.’  

2021. Professor Peter Yu AM: ‘Looking forward, Looking Back.’  

2020. Admiral Chris Barrie AC, RAN: ‘It’s an Honour – Reflections.’  

2019. No lecture.

2018. Professor Ann McGrath AM: ‘Time Immemorial? Dates, history and the deep human past.’  

2017. Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC: ‘Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges.’  

2016. Honourable Susan Ryan AO: ‘Australia’s Longevity Achievement.’

2015. Professor Andrew Podger AO: ‘Federalism and Australia’s National Health and Health Insurance System.’

2014. Professor David Lindenmayer AO: ‘Discovering a lost forest giant – 31 years of science in the world’s tallest forests.’

2013. Nobel Laureate and current Vice Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt AC: ‘The Future of the ANU and its Role in Canberra.’

2012. Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Young AO: ‘The University in the digital age – will we follow the newspapers?’

2011. Emeritus Professor of Political Science John Warhurst AO: ‘What’s the Matter with Parliament?’

2010. Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb AC: ‘The Australian National University; where would we be without it?’