In 2025, Griffith University celebrated 50 years. That's half a century of delivering a transformative education experience to hundreds of thousands of students from around Queensland, Australia and the world.
We honour all that Griffith is, was and will be, from our origins in the Nathan bush, on the unceded lands of the Yuggera, Turrbal, Yugerabul and Jagera Peoples, and expansion across South East Queensland right through to our future growth into the heart of Meanjin (Brisbane) and beyond.
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, Griffith University acknowledges that it has prospered for 50 years on the unceded lands of the Kombumerri, Yugambeh, Yuggera, Turrbul, Yugarabul and Jagera Peoples.
We acknowledge that the lands on which Griffith University now stands have been vibrant places of knowledge sharing, cultural practice and living wisdom for tens of thousands of years. We pay tribute to the Elders, both past and present, for their invaluable role in nurturing, preserving and passing down these cultural traditions.
These lands continue to be active spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples be, do, learn and teach, carrying forward the traditions of education and understanding. Griffith University recognises these important contributions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students, which are integral to our shared community.
As Griffith University celebrates 50 years, we reflect on our shared history and reaffirm our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are dedicated to fostering mutual respect, cultural understanding and united progress towards a brighter future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can walk in the footsteps of their Ancestors with pride, self-respect and dignity.
Artwork by Sid Domic
Discover our impact
Research
Discover the key breakthroughs and innovations we've made in a range of vital areas.
Teaching
Find out how we're preparing our students to thrive in our ever-changing world.
Alumni
Meet the Griffith students making waves of all sizes in their fields and careers.
Strategic plan
Explore how we aim to continue our evolution as a world-class institution in the years ahead.
Measuring Griffith's impact on Australia
Throughout our first 50 years, Griffith contributed significant value to Queensland and Australia. From community services to groundbreaking research, our impact runs deep. Explore the numbers behind our story in the Deloitte Access Economics report from 2025.
Our people making an impact
To celebrate Griffith’s 50th anniversary in 2025, we partnered with The Courier-Mail to share the stories of some of our alumni and staff who are making a great impact on their community.
Alumni share Griffith’s life-changing impact
Inspirational former students, Megan Washington, Kara Cook, Josh Creamer and Andrew Fraser, share their personal journeys and the impact the University had on their life and careers.
"Wouldn't be where I am today"
From childhood shows to leading Brisbane Festival, Louise Bezzina always felt the pull of the stage. A chance moment at university set her on the path to her dream role.
Jess Fox on life and career beyond sport
Olympic champion Jessica Fox is building a future beyond sport and using her platform to bridge elite athletics and leadership. Her journey in elite sport has developed skills for life and career beyond competition.
The McEvoy Method Revolution
Cameron McEvoy is shaking up the world of sprint swimming with a revolutionary training method. After winning Olympic gold, he's now chasing a world record and proving it's never too late to rewrite the playbook.
Breaking norms and building futures
Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans brings heart and grit to the helm of Griffith University. Through bold moves and ambitious fundraising, she’s transforming what higher education can be.
A startup story, driven by purpose
What began with four friends, a flooded basement, and no aircon has grown into a $3B global learning platform. Fueled by vision and grit, their journey proves that big impact often starts in the most unlikely places.
Griffith Archive's exhibition series
Griffith Archive invite you to look back through the decades with four special digital exhibitions released throughout our 50th year.
The evolution of inclusion
From pioneering Australia’s first affirmative action pilot in 1984 to championing the UN Sustainable Development Goals today, Griffith University has spent four decades shaping a culture of fairness, opportunity and social justice. Discover how bold policies, national awards, community partnerships and sector-leading initiatives have transformed equity at Griffith—and continue to guide our commitment to creating an inclusive future for all.
A legacy of games and growth
From transforming the campus into an athletes’ village in 1982, to launching global student opportunities as an Official Partner in 2018, Griffith University’s connection to the Commonwealth Games runs deep. Discover how two landmark events helped shape our campuses, strengthen our global reputation and unlock once-in-a-lifetime experiences for students, staff and alumni.
Empowering First Peoples Success
GUMURRII Student Success Unit has been empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Griffith for over 40 years, fostering success through culturally safe support from enrolment to graduation. Born from a shared vision for equity in education, GUMURRII has grown into a vital part of the University’s commitment to First Peoples achievement. Learn more about its history, impact and ongoing role in shaping brighter futures.
Griffith Genesis - The Nathan Dash
Originating in 2004, the Nathan Dash is a 660 metre sprint through the Nathan campus. Discover how despite undergoing changes throughout its time, the Nathan Dash remains an important part of Griffith's past and present.
Our celebrations
Griffith’s 50th anniversary was marked by a diverse program of events and legacy projects that brought together students, staff, alumni, partners and community to reflect on our history and look to the future.
50 Years of Griffith
Alumni, staff, students and community came together to celebrate 50 years of Griffith University, reflecting on our history and looking ahead to the future. The event featured performances, activities and opportunities to reconnect and mark the milestone together. See the photos.
Commemorative live art
During the 50 Years of Griffith event, emerging Aboriginal artist from the Wulli Wulli people, Arabella Walker, created an artwork inspired by the milestone, the community, and her Griffith student experience. It is displayed at the Library, Brisbane South (Nathan).
Brighter Future for All Oration
Leaders, alumni and the community came together for an evening of reflection. Delivered by Professor Glyn Davis AC DUniv, the oration explored Griffith’s legacy of progressive education, research, and its commitment to social justice, innovation and leadership.
Doing Things Differently
Authored by Emeritus Professor Patrick Weller AO, Doing Things Differently tells the story of Griffith University’s first 50 years, highlighting its values, achievements and impact on teaching, research and community.
Market days
Pop-up stalls across campus Market Days featured limited-edition merchandise, the Doing Things Differently commemorative book, and a visual history of Griffith’s impact over five decades.
International alumni events
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans joined alumni across the globe to celebrate their connection to Griffith, reconnecting communities and strengthening lifelong relationships. See the photos from Singapore, New Delhi, Hong Kong, London and Washington.
Partnering for Impact
Influential leaders came together to celebrate enduring partnerships and shared impact. Featuring Griffith alumnus and Westpac CEO Anthony Miller, the event highlighted education as a driver of positive change.
Collecting the Future
50 Years of the Griffith University Art Collection. A major exhibition showcasing highlights from Griffith’s nationally significant art collection, spanning five decades and reflecting the social, cultural and artistic evolution of Australia and beyond.
50th anniversary merchandise
Celebrate Griffith’s 50th anniversary with exclusive branded apparel and commemorative merchandise. Show your pride with limited-edition items that honour five decades of transformative education.
Flashback
Take a journey through Griffith’s history from 1975 to 2025, with an episode of Channel 7’s Flashback, and a selection of images from over the years.
Explore Griffith's historical timeline
