OU shortlisted for three Times Higher Education Awards 2017

Posted on 7 September 2017 • University news

The OU has been shortlisted for three prestigious awards for its innovation in teaching and research impact, with The Open University Business School (OUBS) also in the running for ‘Business School of the Year 2017’.

Recognised as the ‘Oscars of Higher Education’, the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards celebrate the dedication, innovation, and talent of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life. This year, the OU has been nominated for three categories:

• Business School of the Year
• International Impact
• Most Innovative Teacher of the Year

Centres of Excellence

The OUBS has been shortlisted for Business School of the Year. The award will be given to the business school demonstrating the most outstanding overall performance during the 2015-16 academic year. Commenting on this achievement, Executive Dean of The Open University Business School, Professor Rebecca Taylor, said:

“Our submission showcased our ‘Centres of Excellence‘, a distinctive model combining rigorous research, outreach that influences policymakers and informs practice, and free online learning delivered at scale, to deliver social impact in critical, yet under-researched areas.

Our three established Centres focus on the public understanding of finance, policing, and voluntary sector leadership; all are externally funded, and we are delighted that Times Higher Education has recognised the value and contribution our Centres are delivering to society and the sector.

“Trainer in your pocket”

Research contribution by academics at the OU to English in Action, which is working to transform the English communication abilities of seven million teachers and children across Bangladesh by the end of 2017, has been shortlisted for the International Impact Award. Using OU-developed English language teaching materials loaded onto low cost mobile phones, known as the “Trainer in your pocket”, the project is led by Programme Director, Tom Power, and Project Manager, Claire Hedges. It is supporting changes to how teachers teach English.

Innovation in transforming the student learning experience

Director of Teaching (Politics) for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr Georgina Blakeley, has been nominated for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year for innovation in transforming the student learning experience. Her entry demonstrated how she enhanced the student experience on two modules: DD101 Introduction to the Social Sciences (2008-2012) and DD102 Introducing the Social Sciences (2012-2016).

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 30 November 2017.