The Open University

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 […]

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 […]

OU’s Professor Teresa Cremin awarded CBE for ‘services to education’

2 January 2026

Professor Teresa Cremin, Co-Director of The Open University’s Literacy and Social Justice Centre, has been awarded a CBE for ‘services to education’ in the New Year Honours list announced by the King. Professor Cremin initiated the OU’s highly successful ‘Reading for Pleasure’ Research and Practice Coalition that works with organisations, schools, policy makers, and many others to impact positively on children’s life chances through reading. The […]

Centre for Protecting Women Online at The Open University responds to Government’s VAWG Strategy

19 December 2025

The Centre for Protecting Women Online at The Open University has welcomed the Government’s recognition that online abuse and tech-facilitated violence are central to women and girls’ lived experiences, but warned that the new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy risks treating digital abuse as a peripheral issue. While the Strategy sets out an […]

Scheme to train more nurses wins prestigious prize

18 December 2025

A unique partnership between the NHS and The Open University to give people the opportunity to study for a nursing degree while training on the job has scooped a top national award. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and The Open University joined forces in July 2024 to give local people who had always […]

Mini course about mental health is fastest growing on OU free learning site

12 December 2025

Bite-sized learning about mental health in the 21st century is capturing interest at The Open University by becoming one of its most popular free courses in the past year. The OU’s free learning site OpenLearn held an audit of its wealth of short online courses over the past 12 months and found an incredible 13.3 million visits recorded. Topping the list of the most popular free courses launched in […]

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