OU academics benefit from a flexible academic life and prestigious accolades from external bodies.
The OU research careers mission is to:
- Provide excellent training and development opportunities for researchers at all stages of their career so that they excel in their professional areas.
Our world-leading innovative research and development ranks in the top third of UK universities. It influences policy and practice from local to global levels. Our researchers conduct research which is often fed back into their teaching materials, strengthening the quality of both.
OU researchers and research fellows join our research community because we have the technology and global influence to change people’s lives across the world.
OU research students make ground-breaking discoveries while using our state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities.
We offer use of facilities to visiting students and academics allowing them and us to benefit from the relationship.
Commitment to equality and diversity
Equality and diversity continue to be at the heart of what we do in higher education and positions us as an inclusive, innovative and responsive institution.
Advancing women’s careers
We were awarded our first Athena SWAN Award in April 2013 for good practice in supporting the careers of women in science, technology, engineering and maths in higher education and research. Our Athena SWAN Bronze Award recognises our solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture. Over the next three years we will develop this work across the university through our Action Plan.
Awarded for HR Excellence in Research
We are recognised for commitment to researcher career development.
The European Commission's ‘HR Excellence in Research’ badge acknowledges The Open University's alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment, the University’s alignment with the UK QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes and the UK Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. The Open University's Concordat Implementation Plan can be accessed here.
Working at the OU
Join the OU research community and benefit from:
- Enjoy a 40-hectare landscaped campus only 45 minutes from London;
- Work in laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment for research into space, the environment, brain activity, and music;
- Vast information resources and unrivalled expertise in distance learning and associated technologies.
Recognised for research excellence
- Overall 87 per cent of all OU research was deemed ‘internationally recognised ’ or better in the 2008 RAE
- 80 per cent of OU research in Art and Design was deemed ‘internationally excellent’ or better
- 70 per cent of OU research in Earth and Environmental Science and Computer Science was deemed ‘internationally excellent’ or better
- Art & Design was ranked third in the UK and Development Studies ranked fourth
Acknowledged for excellent practice for women
We were awarded the Juno Practitioner award which acknowledges us for having excellent practice in relation to female academics.