The Open University

The OU and BBC Bitesize collaborate on new campaign to help young people imagine a more sustainable world

10 January 2022

The Regenerators campaign is designed to help young people think about and shape their future careers for sustainability, with a series of digital videos launched today January 10th on the BBC Bitesize website. The aim is to equip children, teenagers and young people with the tools and skills to understand the most important environmental issues […]

Skill up for the New Year with career-focused short courses

28 December 2021

As the year draws to a close and thoughts turn inevitably to New Year’s resolutions, The Open University (OU) points the lens at career change in 2022, and invites employees and employers to consider its innovative range of short courses. Known as microcredentials, these career-focused courses are hosted on the OU’s co-owned social learning […]

New theory about alien life subject of latest bitesize video for BBC Ideas

8 December 2021

A brand new short film is now available to view on the award-winning BBC Ideas website called Are We Thinking About Alien Life All Wrong? With the OU’s Dr Mark Fox-Powell providing academic consultancy, Professor Brian Cox explains the ‘panspermia’ theory – how alien life could spread around the Universe. This new theory, which has […]

Killer in the Car Park – Forensics: The Real CSI returns

1 December 2021

The programme that gives viewers unique access to the work of forensic scientists is making a return to our screens. Forensics: The Real CSI is co-produced by The Open University and the BBC and the series continues with series 2 (episode 7) Killer in the Car Park, which airs Monday December 6 at 9pm on […]

Eight top tips for improving your mental health and wellbeing

17 November 2021

At The Open University we recognise that mental health and wellbeing impacts all aspects of our lives in terms of how we feel, function and interact with others. In recent years there has been an increase in students and staff disclosing mental health difficulties and we’re committed to supporting mental health. We believe that everyone […]

Handel brought to life – OU research inspires new album

17 November 2021

A new album of George Frideric Handel’s work is released this Friday 19th November, which draws inspiration from painstaking OU academic research. The album features a world-first recording of Handel’s Eight Great Harpsichord Suites, Chaconne in G major, overtures and operatic arias for the harpsichord, and will be premiered at the Foundling Museum, London, on […]

Adult Safeguarding Week: how the OU supports staff and students

15 November 2021

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Here at The Open University (OU) during the 2020-2021 academic year we supported nearly 1000 students during their studies who needed support. We also processed over 400 reference requests for students who had completed their degrees with the OU and wanted to move into areas of work such as teaching, or […]

OpenLearn win prestigious education award for its resilience during the pandemic

10 November 2021

OpenLearn, the free learning platform delivered by The Open University, has been named as a winner in the Open Education (OE) Global 2021 Open Education Awards for Excellence, due to its impressive response to the Coronavirus pandemic. The team won the Open Resilience Award which recognises the exemplary leadership and open educational practices implemented during […]

Update on actions taken following VC statement on GCRN and academic freedom

10 November 2021

In June, the establishment of the Gender Critical Research Network initiated a conversation across the University about how we meet our commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech whilst ensuring we consider the impact of our words on each other in our community. The Vice-Chancellor’s Executive found that the formation of the GCRN was […]

OU/BBC – Countryfile Plant Britain Autumn Special

5 November 2021

A BBC Countryfile Plant Britain autumn special airs this weekend promising a fascinating look at how trees and hedgerows help in combatting climate change, boosting wildlife and our own wellbeing. And there’s a guest appearance from Dr Philip Wheeler, Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the OU. Countryfile has been reporting on rural, agricultural, and environmental […]

OU News