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Connecting Globally: The Open University’s Contribution to an International Sustainability Symposium
~~ By Catriona Matthews and Paul Astles, Learning Designers When it comes to the challenges facing our planet, no single institution, country, or discipline has all the answers. Creating a more sustainable and equitable future requires collaboration, shared expertise, and a willingness to learn from one another across borders. That’s why we are delighted…
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Looking through the lens of compassionate pedagogy: attending the Open University WELS EDI Festival
Hayley Kelly, Cinzia Imbriano-Merner, Anna Judd-Yelland, Catriona Matthews, and Mark Williams ~ Learning Designers The WELS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Festival 2026 ran from 20 April –1 May online for Open University staff and student reps. It was organised to celebrate the diverse journeys of OU students and staff in the Faculty of…
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Maximising student support: Equitable Outcomes Challenge Week 2025
Jannah Aljafri, Anna Judd-Yelland, Penelope Lee, and Catriona Matthews ~ Learning Designers The days may be getting colder and darker, but the Christmas season is upon us, plus we’ve just enjoyed some great virtual ‘fireside chats’ during The Open University’s Equitable Outcomes Challenge Week. 🍵🔥 Colleagues from across the University shared their projects on…
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The Learning Design Cross Institutional Network: Creating a space for Learning Design discussions
Mark Williams ~ Senior Learning Designer Natasha Huckle and Mark Williams were excited to host the Learning Design Cross Institutional Network this year at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes. With support from Jim Harris (University of Northampton) and Simon Walker (UCL) they identified themes for exploration and called out for learning designers across…
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Kicking off Pride Month at the OU: exploring LGBT+ visibility in STEM
Eleanor Moore ~ Learning Designer June is Pride Month and here at The Open University, we have a packed calendar of events exploring diverse perspectives and themes of inclusion. One of the first was an online seminar led by Dr Jessica Gagnon of Manchester University and Dr Marco Reggiani of Strathclyde University. Jessica and Marco…
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From email alert to delivering a talk: Unexpected scholarship
Paul Astles and Catriona Matthews ~ Learning Designers Scholarship can happen in unexpected ways and an opportunity can present itself when you least expect it. In this instance, a colleague from the Open University Library shared a call for content at a webinar series curated by the University of Kent. The theme of the…