The Open University

Learning online? Advice from Open University students (the experts!)

20 March 2020

As UK universities ‘pivot online’ and students transition to a new way of learning, The Open University community – as experts in this field – have some valuable advice to share. Online and distance learning is second nature to OU students, but this won’t be the case for many students and their universities impacted by […]

Why are there UK network issues?

20 March 2020

The UK broadband networks and the national academic network have been experiencing a significant increase in traffic, in light of Government announcements around the Coronavirus pandemic and the changes to daily living and working arrangements gripping the nation and beyond. So why is this the case? Andrew Smith, Senior Lecturer in Networking in the OU’s […]

OU digital experts showcase blockchain technology at IoC Conference

26 February 2020

Tech experts from The Open University pilot blockchain-verified badges at this year’s Institute of Coding (IoC) Conference. The IoC, a coalition of universities and employers working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap, hosted its second annual conference this week (24 – 25 February 2020). Conference attendees were given delegate badges with blockchain […]

OU researcher calls for national approach to end rough sleeping in bins

24 February 2020

Growing numbers of rough sleepers in the UK have given rise to people taking shelter in bins, which OU research finds is putting their lives in danger. An Open University (OU) environmental researcher is urging waste producers, homelessness services and waste operators to help put a stop to this life-threatening practice. Dr Toni Gladding, Senior […]

Open University Position Statement on USS Pensions and 2019/20 Pay Award

19 February 2020

The Open University (OU) is one of more than 340 higher education and related institutions across the United Kingdom that participate in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). With effect from Thursday 20 February the University and College Union (UCU) has announced it is taking 14 days of strike action, spread over four weeks. This is […]

Infection disease expert discusses the coronavirus

14 February 2020

Cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19) are growing with more than 47,000 laboratory confirmed cases worldwide, nine of them in the UK to date. But what do we know about the virus and can the UK deal with an outbreak of this kind? Dr Helen Wimalarathna, an infectious disease epidemiologist, discusses the virus, the spread of […]

How to study with the OU: advice from students to students

13 February 2020

Our students work incredibly hard, committing to their studies while juggling a combination of life, illness, disability, work and family, and they somehow find time to fit everything in. If you’re just beginning that journey you might be feeling a little overwhelmed, wondering how you’re going to make it all work. So who better to […]

Study gave me purpose when the future seemed bleak

27 January 2020

Fiona Hirons began studying with the OU when she fell ill with Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME in 2002. After becoming largely bed-bound and being forced to give up her demanding career, she says studying helped her to cope with the loss of her previous way of life. Here, the remarkable Fiona shares her story: “I was […]

Asteroid was “sole driver” of dinosaur demise

17 January 2020

Science experts from around the globe say they have solved the longstanding debate of what really killed the dinosaurs. According to a study, published in Science, conducted by researchers from The Open University, UCL, Yale and the University of Southampton, an asteroid impact caused the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years […]

Open University set to train West Midlands residents in next-gen cyber skills

13 January 2020

Computer experts from The Open University (OU) will roll out a FREE cyber programme for residents across the West Midlands. The Open University has created a specialist cyber programme to provide industry standard training for residents across the region. Funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of the Beat the Bots Fund, […]

OU News