We do research differently

We've been using our research to transform lives throughout the UK and worldwide for over 50 years. In 2022 we embarked on a new research mission to address three crucial societal challenges:

  • Sustainability
  • Tackling Inequalities
  • Living Well
Find out how in our Research Plan

Research at The Open University

Research news and articles

The Open University logo with the words 'The Open University, Open Societal Challenges' underneath it

The Open University asks UK charities to set challenges for the future

The Open University (OU) is pioneering a new approach to research by asking the UK charity sector to determine future challenges that we can collaboratively tackle.

14th March 2024
The Open University logo with the words 'The Open University, Open Societal Challenges' underneath it

The Open University asks businesses to set challenges for the future

The Open University (OU) is pioneering a new approach to research by asking businesses to determine future challenges that we can tackle.

8th March 2024
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter flying over Mars

Funding to analyse hundreds of thousands of images from Mars spacecraft

An OU researcher has received just over half a million pounds to use new Machine Learning tools to analyse huge image datasets collected by spacecraft orbiting Mars.

29th February 2024
Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Blackman and Executive Dean of the STEM Faculty Professor Nick Braithwaite being presented with the award from Her Majesty The Queen.

The Queen presents The Open University with Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its OpenSTEM Labs

The Open University was presented with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education by Her Majesty The Queen this week (22 February 2024) at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

23rd February 2024
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