Throughout history, there have been a number of well-known individuals who have applied a multi-subject, and/or interdisciplinary approach to their work. Our ‘Gallery of Multipotentialites’ showcases a range of people throughout history who have been involved with interdisciplinary study.

Click on each of the pictures below to find out more about these incredible individuals, or you can download a copy of our Gallery Guide which was produced for our OU50 celebration event in May 2019.

What is a “multipotentialite”?

The term ‘multipotentialite’, coined by Emilie Wapnick, the founder and Creative Director of Puttylike, is one way to describe someone with many interests and creative pursuits. Multipotentialites tend to need variety in their lives, but how much variety depends on the individual. Multi-subject study can therefore help satisfy the need for variety which multipotentialites tend to have, and is something that we have encouraged students to consider through our free, badged open course, Multidisciplinary study: the value and benefits, available on the OU’s free learning platform, OpenLearn.

The original artwork displayed in the gallery was designed and produced by Claire Stringer and Holly Langley from More than Minutes for an animation that is included in the badged open course, with direction and guidance from the Open Programme Student and Engagement Manager, Rehana Awan.