Genevieve Bell suspended over alleged misconduct

“Former Australian National University (ANU) vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell was suspended from her role as Distinguished Professor at the School of Cybernetics over serious misconduct allegations in January, according to the Saturday Paper . The article alleged Professor Bell promoted friend and colleague Andrew Meares to a professor role in the School of Cybernetics, which she founded, despite the university promotion panel recommending against the move. Professor Meares, a Walkey award-winning photojournalist, holds a Certificate IV in Photography from TAFE NSW and worked for the Sydney Morning Herald . Professor Bell faces serious allegations in relation to the appointment, including trying to change employment records, breaching conflict of interest rules, using her position at the university to benefit Professor Meares, and overruling ANU’s central promotions committee. She was barred from entering the campus and speaking to staff, students and members of the governing council. She was also told she could face termination if the allegations are substantiated. The former vice-chancellor resigned in September after significant backlash over Renew ANU, a restructure designed to save $250 million a year in recurrent spending through more than 200 job losses and course reductions. An ANU spokesperson said it cannot comment on individual matters but that Professor Bell remains on study leave. Professor Bell said she tried to create a solid financial base for the university through Renew ANU. Picture: Andrew Meares. “The university is committed to upholding processes that are consistent with its values and obligations,” they said. “Professor Bell remains a distinguished professor at the School of Cybernetics and is currently on study leave. “Professor Meares is a very well-regarded member of the School of Cybernetics and the College of Systems and Society. The university is facing substantial criticism from the academic community and politicians over the scope of Renew ANU. The Australian National Audit Office, in an unreleased report , said the ANU council approved the cost-cutting program without clear evidence it was needed or achievable. More on this story: ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell resigns | Senators ask Bishop about $800,000 expenses | Academics showcase alternative to Renew ANU Professor Bell said she tried to create a solid financial base for the university through Renew ANU. “As many of you know, the ANU has been a special place for me, ever since I was a child. And being its 13th vice-chancellor has been an extraordinary privilege and also a heavy responsibility,” she said at the time of her resignation. “Like the rest of our community, I believe firmly in our delivering on our national mission – to create and transmit knowledge through research and teaching of the highest quality. And know that doing this requires a solid financial, cultural and operational foundation. “Achieving such a foundation has been difficult and this has been a very hard time for our community. I am grateful for all the ways that people have shown up and for all the work that has been done and the progress we have made.” Professor Bell allegedly falsified Meares' employment records. Picture: Gary Ramage. Professor Bell had hired Professor Meares in 2019 to the role of academic senior fellow in the School of Cybernetics, a five-year position that had not been advertised. Three years later, Professor Bell then supported Professor Meares in becoming an associate professor, and in August that year supported him becoming a full professor. In 2023, a review by the ANU promotions committee rejected his academic professorship application due to a lack of academic qualifications. The vice-chancellor at the time, Professor Brian Schmidt, said Professor Meares would be better suited to be a professor in practice, a position he had introduced to recognise professionals with notable career experience but a lack of academic achievements. In June of 2024, six months after taking up the role of vice-chancellor, Professor Bell made Professor Meares a full professor. She allegedly instructed HR to remove “in practice” from Meares’s title and falsify employment records to show regular academic appointment since 2021. Professor Bell and Professor Meares have been contacted for comment. This story was updated to reflect Professor Bell is still on study leave.

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