The Open University

Tributes to Gary Slapper, the first Head of the Law School at The Open University

6 December 2016

Professor Gary Slapper, the first Head of the Law School at The Open University, has died. Gary joined The Open University in 1997 and maintained his links with the OU as a Visiting Professor after leaving in 2011 to take up a post as Director of New York University, London. Professor Rebecca Taylor, Executive Dean […]

Mike Tomlinson, Richard Gillingwater and Sir Gary Verity

Honorary degrees for inspiring Yorkshire sports and charity leaders

22 November 2016

The efforts of two inspirational men from Yorkshire in promoting sport and fundraising for cancer charities have been honoured by the OU. Mike Tomlinson, who has devoted his life to continuing the the extraordinary legacy of his wife Jane – who completed seven years’ worth of physical challenges after being given just six months to live – […]

Honorary awards for business women helping young people

9 November 2016

Two business women who have both set up organisations to help children in difficult circumstances have been awarded honorary Masters Degrees. They joined over 300 Open University graduates receiving their degrees at a ceremony in Milton Keynes. Improving care for young people with neurological conditions Leaving school at the age of 15 with no qualifications, it […]

Photograph of graduates at OU degree ceremony

Sarah Brown and Sally Magnusson among those honoured at Edinburgh ceremony

31 October 2016

Global campaigner Sarah Brown and broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson were among those receiving awards at Open University (OU) degree ceremony in Edinburgh. Their awards were conferred alongside 560 graduating students and fellow honorary graduates Tessa Ransford OBE (posthumously), poet and founding director of the Scottish Poetry Library and Tommy Whitelaw, dementia and care campaigner […]

OU-led study will focus on ‘urgent’ need to assess impact of outreach to adult learners in HE

20 October 2016

The Open University (OU) is to lead a new research project to determine the best ways universities are reaching out to mature learners, particularly those in under-represented groups. The six-month project, commissioned by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) will address a critical gap in Widening Participation policy: sector understanding of outreach aimed, not at […]

University honours for actress Helen Griffin and campaigner Shahien Taj

19 October 2016

Two leading figures in Welsh culture and society have received honorary degrees from The Open University. Actress and comedian Helen Griffin, and charity leader and campaigner Shahien Taj, were honoured with the degree of Doctor of The Open University at a ceremony in Cardiff on Friday (14 October). The honorary graduates collected their doctorates alongside […]

OU honours campaigners of social equality

13 October 2016

The Open University has honoured independent filmmaker, Professor Franny Armstrong, and campaigner for social equality and justice, Ms Ceri Goddard, for their contribution to society by awarding each an honorary degree. Professor Franny Armstrong Professor Armstrong is one of the most important and innovative independent filmmakers in Britain. Her films focus on issues of public […]

Prof Mark Fenton O'Creevy with Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner at the Gateshead Ceremony

Social learning specialist honoured at OU degree ceremony

11 October 2016

The Open University has honoured social learning theorist Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner for his exceptional contribution to society by awarding him an honorary degree. A globally-recognised thought leader in the field of social learning theory, communities of practice and their application to organisations, Dr Wenger-Trayner’s work influences both theory and practice in a wide range of […]

The Open University Chancellor Asa Briggs addressing the audience at a graduation ceremony.

OU pays tribute to Asa Briggs, former OU Chancellor

5 October 2016

Members of the OU community, past and present, attended yesterday’s thanksgiving service for the late Asa Briggs. The former Vice-Chancellor Sir John Daniel, representing the OU and a close family friend, paid tribute to Asa’s remarkable contribution to the OU and announced the new Asa Briggs Chair in History. All the speakers brought out just […]

Open University and KPMG to provide degree apprenticeships programme

18 August 2016

Following the Government’s plan to introduce the Apprenticeship Levy in England, from April 2017, The Open University and KPMG have announced a partnership to enable employers to identify and fulfil future training needs. The partnership has been designed to offer employers a high quality, scalable and accessible service and includes three initial higher level apprenticeships […]

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