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By Jessica Gallagher

We asked our readers in the previous issue of Lumen to let us know what concerned or excited them about the future.��

We received more responses than in any previous issue, and many of them are featured in our Letters to the Editor pages.��

Some of these responses have helped us to shape our content for this issue which has the theme “the future”.��

The future by its very nature is nebulous, vast and unknowable.��

It is, however, also something which can be shaped by human endeavour and intellect.��

The University of ����ɫ�� plays an important role in creating the future at many different levels. For undergraduates, it can guide and shape their career paths – and their future selves.��

Post-grads find new areas to explore and expand their intellectual capacity. And our leading researchers across an extraordinary array of fields push the boundaries and discover new truths.��

The responses to our question about the future included many on artificial intelligence, and we approached some of the leaders in the field from both the University of ����ɫ�� and the University of South Australia to help respond.��

In a few short months from now, those researchers, along with our staff and alumni, will all be partners in our new university, working collaboratively at ����ɫ�� University.��

Of course, some of the responses about the future included comments on this change. I’m pleased to say they were mostly positive. We have presented a balanced representation of these in our Letters to the Editor pages.��

Another topic of great interest to our readers is the environment. In this instance, we have turned to the Director of our Environment Institute to respond, and to discuss what is being done – and needs to be done.��

Other articles on our theme include a feature on “the future” as envisioned by, among others, former Lord Mayor and alum Stephen Yarwood, a noted urban futurist. This feature also explores the University of South Australia’s MOD. – a futuristic museum of discovery.��

Our movie reviewer turns his focus onto cinema’s love of this theme. And, in a literary coup, noted author and alum Dr Peter Goldsworthy has created an original piece for us on this topic.��

This will be the final edition of Lumen published by the University of ����ɫ��. Lumen began as a staff newsletter in 1972 and has evolved into various formats, with differing audiences, over the following five decades.��

The name was originally taken from the University of ����ɫ�� crest, which bears the motto Sub Cruce Lumen – “the light under the cross”.��

While we value ���ܳ����’s past as our flagship magazine, the next evolution of our University requires a change in the name for our masthead. From 2026, we will be exploring and delivering new ways to tell our stories, with the same passion and many familiar features.��

Our communication will continue to be for and about our new University, telling our stories to our many communities — including our expanding networks of alumni, partners, staff and students. This will enable us to explore the best possible ways to share these stories in a variety of formats.��

We are proud of what Lumen has been, and excited for our future. I hope you enjoy this issue.

Professor Jessica Gallagher is the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (External Engagement).