The Open University

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 […]

Students sitting in a group under a tree

New study seeks to learn from students’ experiences of mental health in education

27 October 2021

The Open University (OU) has partnered with the Mental Health Foundation on a study to pool students’ experiences of mental health related education in schools, colleges and universities across the UK. Designed in collaboration with students who have drawn from their own experiences of mental health in education, the study will take place on the […]

Man and woman working at laptop in business attire

Business Barometer reveals skills shortages to be a long term strategic challenge for employers

7 October 2021

According to The Open University’s (OU) annual business report published (today) in partnership with the Institute of Directors, UK employers are facing a skills shortage when it comes to hiring specialist, entry level talent. The Open University’s annual Business Barometer 2021 report reveals 63% of organisation leaders are struggling with recruitment as candidates lack specialist […]

OU scientist hails space probes first close-up pictures of Mercury

4 October 2021

The joint European (ESA) and Japanese (JAXA) Space Agencies’ mission BepiColombo swung past its destination planet Mercury at only 200 km above the surface in the early hours of 2 October and sent back some spectacular pictures. David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at The Open University has been closely associated with the mission for […]

OU academics get funding for Mars research

15 September 2021

Martians may be the preserve of 20th Century science fiction writers but planetary scientists are still fascinated with Mars and the possibility that primitive life-forms once existed – and if evidence of that remains today. Now two Open University academics have been awarded combined funding of over £200,000 to help unlock the secrets of the […]

OU mathematics professor honoured by Royal Society in their annual awards

24 August 2021

Professor June Barrow-Green has been awarded the Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal by the Royal Society for her research in 19th and 20th century mathematics, notably on historical roots of modern computing, dynamical systems and the three-body problem. Her work places special emphasis on the under-representation of women in historical narratives and in contemporary mathematics. Her recent work includes […]

OU astronomer part of international team that captures galaxies in ultra-high definition

18 August 2021

An international team of astronomers have published the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies beyond our own, revealing their inner workings and black-hole activity in unprecedented detail. The images were created from data collected by the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a network of more than 70,000 small antennae spread across nine European countries. The […]

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