The Open University

Tributes paid to OU’s former Pro-Chancellor Lord Haskins

1 April 2026

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of Lord Christopher Haskins, former Pro-Chancellor of The Open University. Lord Haskins, a former industrialist and peer, he served as the OU’s Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council from 2005-2014. Born near Dublin in May 1937, he later moved and made his home […]

Jennie Lee statue, by artist Andy Edwards, copyright OU

First look at Jennie Lee artwork unveiled in Milton Keynes

24 March 2026

Milton Keynes City Council has unveiled an early version of the city’s new Jennie Lee statue, giving residents a first opportunity to see how the final bronze artwork will look before it’s installed later this year. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Pete Marland, unveiled a full‑size fibreglass version of the statue at Station Square […]

Inside the Transform Trial: The One Show highlights a new era in prostate cancer testing

23 March 2026

A new OU / BBC short film, Transform Trial: Prostate Cancer broadcasts within The One Show on Monday 23 March from 7pm on BBC One. The One Show have been given exclusive access to a groundbreaking new Transform Trial. The current PSA test for prostate cancer is often inaccurate. It can miss genetic markers and misdiagnose, […]

Inside the Rage Machine: How social media algorithms are rewiring our world

16 March 2026

A new OU / BBC programme, Inside the Rage Machine begins Monday 16th March at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Marianna Spring, the BBC’s Social Media Investigations Correspondent, uncovers the inside story of how social media algorithms designed to connect us have been helping to tear us apart. Insider testimony and whistleblower documents expose […]

Forensics: The Real CSI returns for a new series

26 February 2026

A new OU/BBC series, Forensics: The Real CSI (Series 5 and 6) begins Sunday 1 March at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. The edge of a fingerprint. A single hair. A drop of blood. These tiny margins are the difference between success and failure for police forensics investigators. The series re-joins West Midlands […]

AI Confidential: New OU / BBC Series Investigates the Human Impact of the AI Revolution

23 February 2026

A new OU / BBC series, AI Confidential with Hannah Fry begins Monday 23 February at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Presented by Professor Hannah Fry, the series explores some of the most shocking, surprising, and revealing stories emerging from the global AI revolution. Across the series, Hannah investigates what happens when powerful new […]

OU and International Rescue Committee launch online Healing Classrooms course to support refugee learners

19 February 2026

A new online CPD course designed to help teachers support refugee and asylum‑seeking students has been launched on The Open University’s OpenLearn Create platform, following a year‑long collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The course forms part of the IRC’s Healing Classrooms programme, a free, trauma‑informed professional development initiative that equips educators with practical […]

The Open University launches new toolkit to support parents of neurodivergent children as research reveals families feel overwhelmed and under-resourced

9 February 2026

With neurodiversity diagnoses rising across the UK, new research from The Open University (OU) reveals that many parents of neurodivergent children are struggling to find clear, trustworthy and practical guidance, despite actively searching for support. The survey of 1,000 UK parents of neurodivergent children found that while 70% say they have a trusted place to […]

Jennie Lee (copyright 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 […]

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Category: Around the OU