Education and Learning
The Institute of Educational Technology (IET) is one of the leading education research units in the UK. It is an internationally respected centre of excellence that pursues innovative and rigorous research that influences policy and practice. IET research is multidisciplinary and focuses on the use of diverse media in a wide range of social, cultural, and disciplinary settings.
The Institute provides research students with a supportive environment and excellent research facilities. Research within IET is interdisciplinary across the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies and other faculties such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for technology, communication, and education topics. IET offers a unique opportunity to study the theory, application and practice of educational and learning technology with guidance from world-class experts in the field.
Key facts
- A large community of PhD and Professional Doctorate researchers
- A vibrant, interdisciplinary and multicultural environment
- Opportunities and support provided for research students to attend workshops, seminars and conferences at other national and international institutions
Location
Most of our full-time research students are based at our Milton Keynes campus; for details of residence requirements for different modes of study see Full-time study and Part-time study.
Facilities
One of our exciting research facilities at The Open University is the Jennie Lee Research Laboratory complex, which provides state-of-the-art Open XR Studios facilities for research in educational technology and related areas. Open XR Studios will feature state-of-the-art equipment to capture, reproduce and render 4D imagery. It will deliver immersive and reality-embedded learning to students in their homes, which will enable the OU to create authentic contexts for skills development. The studio will also serve as a research platform to better understand how to engage students across a range of extended reality learning scenarios. This will create partnership opportunities with the wider higher education sector, placing the OU at the forefront of utilising these technologies in a responsible and equitable manner.
Career prospects
Many of our doctoral students go on to build successful academic and non-academic careers. Many of them use the doctorate as a platform for continuing professional development in a wide variety of occupations at local, national, and international contexts.
Links
Related topics
Consider linked topics from other research areas.
The postgraduate research team is always ready to help and keen to assist in any adversity a student can face. This has given me a strong sense of belonging and a boost in my motivation throughout the process. I am doubtless the OU is a great place for a research degree.
Josmario AlbuquerquePhD graduate, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies