Meet Anne Brüstle, our new Associate Dean Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Access
Associate Professor Anne Brüstle is a passionate advocate for Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Access (IDEA), both at ANU and within the broader community. Discover how collaborating with people with Multiple Sclerosis has enriched her research career and why fostering a university culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed is vital for our future.
Tell us about your research
As a researcher, my work focuses on neurological conditions, particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I completed my PhD in human biology at Philipps University Marburg in Germany and then spent several years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, Canada, working primarily with laboratory models of autoimmunity. In 2014, I joined ANU and currently lead the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Group within the John Curtin School of Medical Research.
I have worked with and for people with MS for more than a decade and currently hold a Senior Research Fellowship from MS Australia. MS is a condition of the central nervous system that can lead to a variety of symptoms and disabilities that are both visible and invisible. Working with people with MS has made me aware of the barriers and prejudices people with disability are facing every day.
While my primary research aim is to better understand the immunological mechanisms underlying MS, I also contribute to a range of transdisciplinary and translational projects, from investigating fatigue management to exploring new treatment approaches. Co-designing research with people with MS, and bringing in their lived experience, has been a substantial and enriching part of my work.
Beyond research, I am passionate about community engagement and supporting an inclusive and collaborative academic environment.
Can you tell us about yourself?
I have two wonderful children. My son was born in Canada during my postdoctoral years, and my daughter was born here in Canberra. Bringing up a young family far from home while building a research career and life has taught me a lot about the value of community and the struggles of expectations.
While becoming a parent has naturally shifted some of my priorities, I remain an enthusiastic learner, science advocate and mentor.
I am also an avid reader, particularly of fantasy and science fiction, a (sometimes too keen) singer, and a devoted coffee and chocolate enthusiast. My happy place is in front of my tent on a beach, river, cliff or lake, with a coffee in hand, watching the sunrise.
Why did you apply to become the new Associate Dean IDEA?
An inclusive environment built on integrity is essential for any academic institution that seeks to educate and inspire future generations. Throughout my career, I have consistently looked for opportunities to contribute to a positive, supportive, and equitable workplace culture that reflects ANU values.
I have actively contributed to equity and inclusion initiatives across the University. Including the prize-winning “Rights Relationships and Respect” program and the Nixon review process. I am an Ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and have also been an active member of the JCSMR Equity and Community Committee since 2014. Further, I previously served as Associate Director HDR at JCSMR and later as Associate Dean HDR at the College of Health and Medicine, facilitating a variety of soft skill training workshops and PhD peer mentoring programs.
I applied for the Associate Dean IDEA role because I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.
What do you want to achieve during your tenure?
IDEA touches every part of university life and affects students, professional staff, academic staff, and leadership alike. My goal is to build on the many strengths and initiatives already active within our college while helping to remove barriers and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.
To achieve this, strong and transparent governance structures, effective communication channels, and meaningful engagement across the college and ANU are essential. We are at an important juncture, where we have the opportunity to shape these structures collaboratively and inclusively, ensuring they serve the needs of our entire community.
For me, inclusion and culture are not goals that can be achieved from the top down. They are created through the collective efforts of many people across the college and the University. I see my role as listening, facilitating, advocating, and helping to connect people and ideas so that as many voices as possible are heard and represented.
How can you be contacted?
You can contact me via email, Teams, or in person during open office hours. I welcome conversations, suggestions, concerns, and ideas from anyone across the college community.
Open office hours: Thursdays between 11am and 1pm, Building 42, Peter Baume (Room 2.04). Starting 23 July 2026.
Email: adidea.cosm@anu.edu.au