The Open University

Super-Earth planets detected orbiting nearby star

26 June 2020

A system of super-Earth planets – possibly rocky worlds, but larger than Earth – has been detected orbiting the nearby star Gliese 887. An international team of astronomers, including Professor Carole Haswell and Dr John Barnes of The Open University, made the discovery as part of Red Dots, a project to detect terrestrial planets close […]

‘The OU helped me to become a published author!’

24 June 2020

“I always dreamed of becoming an author,” says OU graduate Shereen. “But it wasn’t something I realised again until I had taken time off from my banking career.” Shereen had been working in London’s Canary Wharf when she met her husband and took some time off to raise her family. After her break from banking, […]

A new journey for disabled veterans like Daniel

21 June 2020

After joining the Army at just 16 years old, OU student Daniel Bingley was flying high in a military career when a terrible injury turned his world upside down. “In 2012, I was injured in Iraq following an explosion,” Daniel tells us. “It seriously damaged my ears and I still really struggle with my hearing.” […]

From the forces to the courtroom: Kate’s story

19 June 2020

When Kate Moth was medically discharged from the Army in 2016, she began doubting her sense of self and had no idea what she was supposed to do next. Fast forward a few years and Kate is now studying Law through The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund. As someone who always wants to help […]

OU researchers develop free software set to revolutionise physiotherapy

18 June 2020

Researchers from The Open University (OU), in collaboration with Cardiff University, have developed free software to monitor movement in people recovering from lower limb injury or surgery. OU PhD student Riasat Islam in collaboration with Dr Mohammad Al-Amri, Dr Mohamed Bennasar and Professor Blaine Price created a custom prototype, known as MoJoXlab. The movement analysis […]

Newly detected green light similar to the Aurora Borealis observed around Mars

15 June 2020

Open University (OU) scientists, as part of an international team, have identified a never-before-seen, green glow surrounding Mars with the same characteristics as the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Using the NOMAD-UVIS instrument onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), a joint space mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos, […]

‘Anything that helps people to experience what I’ve experienced is to be treasured’ – applications remain open for the OU’s Carers Scholarships Fund

12 June 2020

Applications remain open for The Open University’s Carers Scholarships Fund until the end of July, and with the option to defer your start date to September 2021, there’s never been a better time to pursue a desire to study. As this week marks Carers Week, we’re sharing student stories from our caring community at the […]

Open University Law students join Freedom Law Clinic project researching the effects of Covid-19 on civil liberties

5 June 2020

Ten law students from The Open University are taking part in a four-week project that will consider the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on civil liberties. The ‘Civil Liberties in the Lockdown’ project is being run by the Freedom Law Clinic, which creates pro bono opportunities for students to access criminal appeal cases and offer […]

The Open University launches online domestic abuse resource as calls to domestic violence helplines soar during Covid-19 lockdown

4 June 2020

The Open University’s Open Justice team has collaborated with charity, Support Through Court to launch a free open online resource for learners, themed around domestic abuse. Its timely launch coincides with the rapid rise in numbers of people in domestic abuse situations seeking help during the UK lockdown. Support Through Court is a charity that […]

Covid-19: Open University Open Justice Centre shares online education best practice

2 June 2020

The Open University Law School’s Open Justice Centre is reaching out to support the wider legal education sector in its time of need during the Covid-19 pandemic. While other universities and educational establishments struggle to deliver a full learning experience while shifting so quickly to online teaching methods, The Open University is providing ongoing support […]

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