We are guided by two commitments in the Geography Department at the Open University. Firstly, to the Open access educational mission of the University. So we are committed to producing excellent undergraduate and postgraduate courses and qualifications, which our students consistently report as outstanding in content and approach. Secondly, we are committed to excellence in research, evidenced by 55% of our research endeavour being graded as world leading or internationally excellent in the last (2008) Research Assessment Exercise.

Research in the Department of Geography is conducted through the OpenSpace Research Centre. The OpenSpace Research Centre promotes research on geographical and environmental concerns. Our research aims to be conceptually and empirically innovative, and designed to engage with diverse publics. The Centre encourages a vibrant research environment, drawing on research expertise both within and beyond The Open University and academia.

In teaching we aim to generate materials which address pressing current issues and also convey significant approaches to the field. We pride ourselves on producing courses that are cutting edge, yet also accessible to those with no previous knowledge of geography, consistent with our commitment to The Open University's teaching mission. For example, two of our courses focus on important areas of international political and policy debate, and which have also been central to geography: environment; and cities. A third course, Living in a Globalised World, provides a broad introduction to geographical approaches to a range of contemporary issues, from sweatshops and climate change to humanitarian responses in conflict situations and bio-prospecting.

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