The Open University

The CONNECT Initiative: empowering the next generation for global digital co-operation through sci-tech diplomacy

15 July 2025

The CONNECT initiative, led by The Open University and discussed during UNESCO’s Science Diplomacy Dialogue and Global Education events, is being recognised as a flagship example of capacity-building in scientific and technological diplomacy. CONNECT is a project aiming to support secondary schools to adopt open schooling, integrating science-action in the core-curriculum and using participatory-science with […]

The OU named Knowledge Partner for Milton Keynes International Festival

15 July 2025

The Open University (OU) has been named official Knowledge Partner for the Milton Keynes International Festival (MK:IF) 2025, running from 18–27 July. In a vibrant 10-day celebration of arts, science, and culture, the OU will bring its world-class research, creativity, and academic expertise directly into the heart of the community. A dynamic programme of free, […]

OU leads the way to future high-resolution orbital imaging of Mars

15 July 2025

The Open University Atmospheric Research and Space Exploration group, led by Professor Manish Patel, has been awarded a €500k grant from the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead the Phase A study for a high-resolution imager for Mars, launching in 2032. The High-Resolution Imager for Mars Exploration (HiRIME) instrument is an orbiting telescope around Mars, […]

The OU’s 2025 National Student Survey Results

10 July 2025

The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025, commissioned by the Office for Students (OfS) have been published, with The Open University (OU) receiving increased positivity scores across all themes, covering academic support, teaching, organisation and management, assessment and feedback, learning resources, and learning opportunities. When compared to other higher education institutions who took […]

The Israel/Iran 12-day war – what comes next

4 July 2025

In the aftermath of the ‘12-day war’ between Israel and Iran, Open University academic Dr Edward Wastnidge, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, lays out the underlying recent historical causes and talks about what comes next. While the war might have been brought to a halt via the ceasefire, both sides will be […]

Timing Is Everything: A New Take on Planet Formation

4 July 2025

A meteoritic fragment from a long-lost planet in the outer Solar System has been discovered — and it’s rewriting the story of when planets form. Dr Ben Rider-Stokes, a researcher at The Open University (OU), has identified a unique meteorite that challenges the long-standing view that planets near the Sun formed earlier than those farther […]

Open University Tutor makes the King’s Honours list

1 July 2025

Open University tutor, Diane Powles, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to Nursing and to Education in the Kings Birthday Honours list 2025. The honours list gives recognition to people who have made outstanding contributions to their sectors across the UK. On finding out she had been honoured, Diane said: […]

New series of OU/BBC radio show, Inside Health

1 July 2025

Today (Tues 1st July), a new nine-part OU/BBC series of Inside Health airs weekly on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds at 09:30. This series demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can find a new online quiz exploring […]

Alice on a tennis court giving a fist pump.

‘I’ve been able to achieve a Law degree without sacrificing the sport I love’ says professional tennis player Alice

1 July 2025

Thinking ahead to life after tennis, Alice, 26, was determined to lay the foundations for a new career, while still playing the sport she loves. Discovering that she could do both by choosing to study at The Open University, Alice shares how she achieved a first-class degree in Law alongside a hectic competition schedule on […]