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  1. Research at the OU
  2. Our research
  3. Research strategy and policies

Research strategy and policies

Research and scholarship is a strategic priority that makes up the OU Strategic Plan 2012-2015.

Our aim is to ensure OU research is externally recognised for excellence and impact, delivering substantial benefits to the University’s mission and priorities.

Some key outcomes by 2015 include:

  • The University will have benefited from sustainable improvements in the quality and impact of its research
  • We will have demonstrated both peaks of research excellence and universally high research quality, in a strong environment for research and scholarship
  • We will be able to evidence major contributions to knowledge and of the application of our research, attract and retain the best academics and offer students high standards of research and scholarship

Professor Tim Blackman, Pro Vice-Chancellor
(Research, Scholarship and Quality)

Research policy 

Research at the OU is based on the principles of high standards, honesty, openness, accountability, integrity, inclusion and safety.
 
The standards of conduct and performance required of all those engaged in research at the OU are set out in our Code of Practice for Research.
 
The University believes that staff and students should feel able to raise legitimate concerns without fear of their position within the University being jeopardised. Allegations that standards in the Code of Practice have not been maintained are dealt with under our Procedure for dealing with allegations of academic malpractice.
 

Concordat to support the career development of researchers

The OU is a signatory to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and actively works to implement its seven principles. 

The Concordat is an agreement that sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. 

It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

The University has developed an action plan to implement the Concordat. View the Open University 2012-16 Concordat Implementation Plan and Gap Analysis.

Research ethics

Central to the principles that guide OU research is that it must be conducted in accordance with the highest contemporary ethics standards.

Read OU Ethics Principles for Research Involving Human Participants.

 
 

Our research

OU mission

The Open University's mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas.