Our Experts Have Observed

ANU Observer
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

'Our Experts Have Observed' is a podcast by ANU Observer that blends quick campus news with personality. In weekly episodes, Mac Watkins and Ryan Bourke bring their expertise to chat you through the big and small happenings at ANU that week - all while always staying on topic and never getting distracted. New episode every Monday morning, produced by Will Novak.

  1. 16/11/2025

    SPECIAL: Recap 2025

    2025 is over, and summer is just around the corner! With this episode, we want to take a moment and look back at everything that happened at the ANU in 2025: the events and processes, the highs and the lows. *Content warning: This episode touches on sensitive topics, including bullying, sexualization, miscarriage, and suicidal thoughts. Please listen with care. What we will be talking about: February (01:13): Time to return to ANU and O-Week! And at the first Senate Estimates of the year, ANU is again in hot water. March (05:09): ANUSA condemns the erasure of the BIPOC mural by the ANU and that infamous Genevive Bell interview is published. April (11:07): Albanese and ALP won the Federal Election – have they delivered on their promises to students? May (16:34): Let’s put our hands together for BNO! The shocking Nixon report is published. June (26:27): The first round of job cuts at ANU occurs. July (29:04): We are back from break for Bush Week! And ANU announces draft changes to the School of Music. August (32:58): After weeks of protests, ANU announces to pause forced redundancies for the remainder of 2025. September (35:24): VC Genevieve Bell resigns - Rebekah Brown takes over Bell's position. October (41:07): ANU ranks 73 on Times Higher Education Rankings. And misleads the Senate during Senate Estimates. Have a good break! *This podcast is produced by Katharina Graf, hosted by Anushka Vineet and Katharina Graf. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer. Graphics by: Alex Mathews. Find more news and stories from us on our ⁠website⁠!

    51 min

  2. 10/10/2025

    Week 9: New Gen Sec Malakai King

    This time, Mac and Katharina unpack the week nine news for you: ANU removes one-to-one performance teaching from Bachelor of Music, independent candidate Malakai King is the new ANUSA General Secretary, and students protest nationwide after the interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. * This episode is hosted by Mac Watkins and Katharina Graf, produced by Katharina Graf. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer. * Graphic by Fatima Usman.

    11 min
  3. FIRST SPECIAL: The Rise and Fall of Genevieve Bell

    09/10/2025

    FIRST SPECIAL: The Rise and Fall of Genevieve Bell

    Our first SPECIAL EPISODE! Content warning: This episode touches on sensitive topics, including bullying, sexualization, miscarriage, and suicidal thoughts. Please listen with care. We are talking about: The Rise and Fall of Genevieve Bell. Who is Bell and how did she rise to the position as VC of the ANU? Why did she stumble? And what does her "fall" mean for herself and the university? Together, Fergus and Katharina unpack Bell's story and the bigger picture behind her journey as VC. Related links and information: Bell's statement about the NTEU' sexism stem from an interview by the ABC. Allen's statement in front of the senate can be found here. A related article by the Financial Review about Bell's career and journey to become ANU's VC. *This podcast is produced by Katharina Graf, hosted by Fergus Wall and Katharina Graf. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer. Graphics by: Alex Mathews. Find more news and stories from us on our website!

    43 min

  4. 29/09/2025

    Week 7: Bell Resigned

    This week we are talking about Bell's resignation, how it came about and what it means for the university. We then discuss the cease order issued for staff in ANU CASS, due to concerns about mental health deterioration and other psychological hazards. At the end we talk about ANU's Student Disciplinary Framework being reviewed, as only very few reports about sexual violence are proceeded, despite many disclosures. This episode is hosted by Saffron Gayle and Katharina Graf, produced by Katharina Graf. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer.

    17 min

  5. 29/08/2025

    Week 5: Our Grand Return

    After a long break, Our Experts Have Observed is back – with the same beloved quality, but wrapped in a fresh new look. New hosts, new formats, new guests. Stay tuned! But for our very first episode, we’re kicking things off just the way we know and love: with a news episode featuring our familiar podcast hosts, Mac and Saffron.  So what was on in week 5? The ANU paused forced redundancies until the remainder of 2025. That means there will be no further forced stuff cuts in 2025, but what will happen afterwards is not yet defined. On the 21st of August, ANU students participated in a historical student referendum for Palestine.  Sticker‘s of the neo-nazi group NSN have been found around campus. The BIPOC department urges everyone to report the stickers, but not to remove them as raisers placed under the stickers might cause harm.  And lastly, the ANU removed the BIPOC mural for a second time, stating the mural would hurt the poster policy of the university See you after the break!

    15 min

  6. 17/10/2024

    Week 11: Tightening the Purse Strings

    Saffron is back! And as the ANUSA student politics election comes to a close, Ryan and Saffron discuss how the ANU has been struggling with $400 million deficits since 2020, and in turn has released a broader restructuring plan in an attempt to save $250 million by 2025. Ryan and Saffron then discuss how ANU has dropped in ranking, and to wrap it all up, Saffron shares how her time in the catering team for Ursula Hall shaped her into the woman she is today. Produced by Will Novak. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer.

    14 min

  7. 10/10/2024

    Week 10: Licencetober

    Mac and Ryan return for another episode to discuss all the new changes that have occurred at ANU recently. They discuss an alleged incident that occurred at a Sutton Forest bush doof on the 29th of September where multiple robberies and assaults occurred. Mac and Ryan then discuss the new parking changes and increase in rates, as well as the return of the Daley Road bus. And, of course, Ryan explains what Licencetober is and how he plans to get his P’s in three weeks with only 30hrs on his L’s this October... Produced by Will Novak. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of ANU Observer.

    15 min

  8. 29/05/2024

    Week 12: Red Alert!

    It's the final week of Semester 1, and as we race into exam season, Ryan and Mac have plenty to discuss. Mac delves into the recent red alert at the CanTEST drug checking clinic, whilst Ryan reveals his mid-semester plans (another Euro Summer, of course)! Produced by Will Novak. All opinions expressed in the podcast by hosts are theirs alone and do not reflect those of the ANU Observer.

    5 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

'Our Experts Have Observed' is a podcast by ANU Observer that blends quick campus news with personality. In weekly episodes, Mac Watkins and Ryan Bourke bring their expertise to chat you through the big and small happenings at ANU that week - all while always staying on topic and never getting distracted. New episode every Monday morning, produced by Will Novak.

Information

  • Creator
    ANU Observer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © ANU Observer
  • Show Website
    Our Experts Have Observed