The Open University started building virtual microscopes in 1993 when a team of earth scientists and educational technologists joined together to push the boundaries in the teaching of optical microscopy for earth scientists. This site is a repository for some of our work.

The team comprised Dave Williams, Dee Edwards, Andy Tindle, Tom Vincent, Ben Hawkridge and Peter Whalley. Only two of the original team remain - Andy (Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research) and Peter (Knowledge Media Institute - KMi). More recently the team has expanded to include Simon Kelley, Mahesh Anand, Susanne Schwenzer, Chris Valentine and Paul Hogan. For course production, Andy Sutton joins us (OU Learning and Teaching Solutions).

We produce virtual microscopes for teaching and research and have the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge, National Museum of Wales, Hunterian Museum, British Geological Survey, Leeds University, Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and NASA as our partners. Leica Microsystems Ltd is our “real” microscope partner.

Although our primary aim is to support the teaching of optical mineralogy in the Open University, we are enthusiastic about working with external clients to whom we are able to offer tailor-made solutions.