The Open University

Renowned sculptor appointed by Milton Keynes City Council to honour Open University pioneer Jennie Lee

2 February 2026

Milton Keynes City Council has selected renowned Artist Andy Edwards to create a new statue in the city centre to celebrate the life of Jennie Lee, the trailblazing figure who played a pivotal role in establishing The Open University. Located near Station Square, the statue will be a lasting tribute to her vision and will […]

Research Capability Hub launches with strong national support

30 January 2026

The Open University’s Research Capability Hub (RCH) was formally launched this week (27 January) at a hybrid event that brought together more than 150 participants from across the UK’s social science research community. A major milestone: from design to delivery The launch event marked a significant step in moving the Hub, which was funded by a £4.9M award […]

New analysis from Ministry of Justice shows Open University study reduces reoffending amongst prison learners

29 January 2026

New 2026 data from the Ministry of Justice’s Justice DataLab confirms that studying with The Open University (OU) continues to deliver significant reductions in reoffending amongst prison learners, reaffirming the OU’s longstanding impact on rehabilitation. Reoffending remains one of the most costly and persistent challenges facing the UK justice system. The latest official data from the Ministry of Justice (2019) showed that reoffending cost the UK an estimated £18.1 billion […]

Professor Teresa Cremin, CBE, delivers keynote speech at National Year of Reading launch

22 January 2026

Professor Teresa Cremin, CBE delivers keynote speech at National Year of Reading launch Professor of literacy, Teresa Cremin, CBE, delivered an inspirational keynote speech at the National Year of Reading 2026 launch, where she called for everyone to “Go all in Together” to help more young people discover the joy of reading. In her speech, Professor Cremin, […]

The Open University becomes largest university in the UK to support tree-planting through its internet searches

20 January 2026

The Open University has become the largest university in the UK to switch to Ecosia, as its default internet search provider. Ecosia is a not-for-profit search engine that uses its advertising revenue to fund tree-planting projects worldwide, helping users turn everyday searches into climate action. After a successful pilot of Ecosia, the OU formally adopted […]

Dive into the minds of the great thinkers, with new BBC/OU radio series

13 January 2026

Discover the surprising moments that sparked amazing ideas with the new series of BBC Radio 4’s Human Intelligence. The returning series of this OU-BBC co-production is broadcast on consecutive weekdays at 13.45pm on BBC Radio 4 and on BBC Sounds and reveals the trailblazers of history and the lightbulb moments that set them on the […]

New series of OU/BBC Radio show Inside Health

13 January 2026

A new twelve-part series of the OU/BBC co-production Inside Health returns today, Tuesday 13th January, at 9.30am on BBC Radio Four and BBC Sounds. The weekly programme demystifies health issues, separates fact from fiction, and brings clarity to conflicting health advice. Dr Philippa Waterhouse, Dr Nicola Goodall, and Dr Calum McMullen provided academic expertise to […]

Evan is back with another series of The Bottom Line

8 January 2026

The popular OU/BBC radio series The Bottom Line takes to the airwaves for a new series from Thursday 8 January at 12.04pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, bringing a weekly look at business, money tips and strategy. Each week presenter and OU Honorary Graduate Evan Davis hosts the lively business discussion show and […]

OU / BBC radio series, Word of Mouth, returns

8 January 2026

A new seven-part OU/BBC radio series of Word of Mouth begins on Thursday, 8th January, and will air weekly at 15:30 on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The series is presented by celebrated author Michael Rosen and explores the world of words and how we use them. In the first episode, Michael goes on an alphabetical odyssey with linguist Danny Bate, author of […]

Rethink returns with a new series on society, technology and change

6 January 2026

The fifth series of the BBC/Open University radio programme Rethink begins Thursday 15 January at 4pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The series continues its exploration of issues across politics, society, economics, technology and culture, asking how we might approach them differently in the future. The weekly four-part series tackles a diverse range […]

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Category: Around the OU