News & Events

November 2012

This year, we have published a new style report, which we anticipate will make for a more engaging read. There are two in-depth sections, one on carers as students, and one on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. We also feature stories about our Securing Greater Accessibility project, our Aspire~ Leadership Programme, and our work to embed equality in the Research Excellence Framework.

October 2012

The OU has published its revised Equality Scheme for 2012 - 2016.

The revised Equality Scheme follows a year-long consultation period and incorporates two previous schemes, our scheme for Great Britain and our scheme for Northern Ireland. We are currently awaiting approval of the scheme by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland which is why we have published an interim version.

Our vision and principles remain at the heart of our scheme, with its stated aims being to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, to promote and advance equality of opportunity, and to promote and foster good relations between people. The Equality Scheme informs staff, students and other stakeholders about the University’s legal duties, individual responsibilities and arrangements for managing different aspects of equality.

The scheme, the associated objectives (first published in April 2012) and the action plan for 2012/13 are published on the

September 2012

The Open University celebrated the contribution of extraordinary people in our society by sponsoring and presenting the Positive Role Model Award for Age at the first National Diversity Awards, held in Manchester on 21st September. The winner of the OU-sponsored award was Michael Burton, a sports tutor at Grimsby Institute in Yorkshire who was nominated for his outstanding work with entry level sport learners to assist them in both their educational and personal lives.

The glittering awards were hosted by Big Brother host, Brian Dowling, and attended by four OU colleagues, who reported the evening as inspirational and something the University should be proud to be associated with.

Further information about the National Diversity Awards:

July 2012

The Open University has won an award for ‘Best 50+ continuing education provider’ in the 50+ Awards 2012, voted for by the public. The award was announced at the 50+ Awards Gala Reception at Olympia, London.

The 50+ Awards 2012, organised and presented by the 50+ Show, are based solely on internet nominations and votes of people aged 50+. The Open University was shortlisted alongside the University of the Third Age and the Workers Education Association.

Tony O’Shea-Poon, Head of Equality and Diversity at The Open University, said: "It’s always great to win awards, and even better to be number one by popular acclaim. We’re thrilled to get this accolade from a generation that has grown up with The Open University. We pride ourselves in offering quality, flexibility and value, and that clearly appeals to our 50+ supporters."

The Open University has developed and published nine institution-wide equality objectives for the priorities we have identified for the period 2012 - 2016, all of which are specific and have measurable outcomes.

Our objectives help us to meet our statutory equality duties and they support our business strategy and our social justice mission.

There are objectives for both students and staff and relate to the individual equality characteristics of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, caring responsibilities, gender identity and community background in Northern Ireland.

You can read details of the University’s equality objectives, the key performance indicators, accountability and information about how we developed the objectives

March 2012

Following the highly successful pilot programme in 2011, the Aspire~ leadership mentoring programme has been expanded to 20 mentee places in 2012, and this year includes staff self-identifying as ethnic minority or disabled. The Aspire~ programme aims to improve the experience of minority staff, supporting career development and progression through monthly meetings with their mentors and development workshops. The mentors are senior staff from faculties and units across the University with a combined wealth of leadership and mentoring experience.

A new programme, Aspire~ Plus has been introduced in 2012 for the staff who participated in last year's Aspire~ programme, to build on their leadership competencies through a self-directed approach.

Both Aspire~ programmes are sponsored by the Director of Human Resources and championed by the Vice-Chancellor.