About the School

The Fenner School of Environment & Society is a world-leading centre for cross-disciplinary environmental and sustainability research, education and policy-relevant advice. Find out more about our impact and engagement.

Welcome to the Fenner School

The Fenner School of Environment & Society is a world-leading centre for cross-disciplinary environmental and sustainability research, education and policy-relevant advice.

Through cutting-edge research and insightful analysis, our academic experts create social, economic and environmental impact and deliver real-world solutions to address complex environmental challenges.

Our mission is to encourage sound environmental policy and governance outcomes that support sustainability.

The Fenner School is nationally and internationally recognised for its excellence in research and education.

ANU is ranked 7th worldwide and 1st in Australia for geography, 5th and 1st for development studies, 34th and 3rd for environmental sciences, and 39th and 2nd for agriculture and forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).

Our researchers include members of the Australian Academy of Science, the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, and sit on international bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the UNESCO Chair Water Initiative.

Our research and education is focused on addressing the following national and international areas of priority:

Our long-term, site-based approach to environmental research and monitoring provides a strong empirical basis for our research and presents our students with unique experiential learning opportunities.

Researchers from the Fenner School undertake projects covering a wide range of topics to offer sustainable solutions to complex environmental issues. Current projects include: