The Open University

OU academics’ guidance in poignant BBC programme on autistic adults

15 February 2023

A new two-part BBC series Inside Our Autistic Minds has started giving a revealing look at what goes on in the mind of autistic adults with the help of naturalist Chris Packham who was diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2005. With the contributions of two OU academics, Kieron Sheehy, Professor of education, and Fiona Henry senior […]

Open University Business School alum Zoë Andre-Lawson honoured as an Influential Leader by prestigious education body

9 February 2023

AACSB has named Open University Business School (OUBS) alum Zoë Andre-Lawson in its list of the top 25 influential leaders for 2023. The prestigious accolade recognises notable alumni from AACSB-accredited business schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders, and the recipients of this year’s honours features individuals […]

The UK government may have rejected menopause protections – but workplaces are more supportive than ever

8 February 2023

Jo Brewis is Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University Business School. She is the co-author of the 2017 government report The effects of menopause transition on women’s economic participation in the UK and an independent panel member for Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Here she discusses the progress made by some UK work places to […]

New Director for PolicyWISE

8 February 2023

We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Dewi Knight to the role of Director of PolicyWISE, the OU’s major new public policy initiative, which will launch later this year. Dewi joins the OU from the Welsh Government where he is Specialist Adviser for Education Reform. Working at the heart of Welsh government for over […]

‘A special school’ airs on BBC Two, BBC Cymru Wales and iPlayer

18 January 2023

Two academics from The Open University used their specialist skills to advise the BBC programme makers on a second series of A Special School, which airs on BBC Two on 20th February at 7pm. The three-part series goes behind the scenes in a compelling observational documentary that shows what is possible when boundaries are pushed. […]

New research finds the biggest predictors of future wealth

11 January 2023

Are you a saver or a spender? Do you plan financially for the future? According to new research, your planning capabilities and attitude towards money are two big drivers when it comes to accumulating wealth. Drawing on data from more than 90,000 UK adults, the paper titled Money attitudes, financial capabilities, and impulsiveness as predictors […]

Top 10 OpenLearn courses of 2022

20 December 2022

It’s been quite a year for The Open University’s free learning site, OpenLearn, as it reached the ripe old age of 16 and celebrated over 100 million visitors to the site. With the cost-of-living crisis hitting, the superb ‘Academy of Money’ course in partnership with Money Saving Expert has helped over 50,000 people to get […]

Male student sitting in classroom looking away and smiling.

First wave of colleges to receive OU support to boost skills in their local communities

9 December 2022

The first wave of colleges in England that will receive support from The Open University (OU) to develop their higher technical educational offering has been announced today. Backed by £10milion of UK Government funding, the OU will be working with colleges across England to support colleges put on a wider range of advanced technical courses, […]

Virtual reality setting showing three scans of the human body

OU secures £5.8m to build extended reality studio

8 December 2022

The Open University (OU) has secured funding of £5.8m from the Office for Students to develop extended reality studios to expand its teaching and learning with augmented and virtual reality. Open XR Studios will feature state-of-the-art equipment to capture, reproduce and render 4D imagery. It will deliver immersive and reality-embedded learning to students in their […]

It’s official – the OU is ranked in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers

7 December 2022

The Open University is celebrating after learning it has been ranked in the Inclusive Top 50 UK employers. The Inclusive Companies organisation, which puts together the rankings, describes itself as the premier cross-industry network “harnessing best practices and innovation to drive inclusion for all”. Last year’s top 50 included Bupa, E-On, TalkTalk and a whole […]

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Category: Around the OU