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Category: Arts and social sciences

Full moon against a dark black night sky

OU receives grant to unite experts to protect the Moon through sustainable governance

A new project, led by Dr Alessandra Marino of the OU, has received a grant with a value of £1.245m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to trial an integrated governance approach to protect the Moon and its sites of interest. MoonRISE: Re‑Imagining Space Environments brings together a range of scholars from different disciplines to […]

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

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

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 […]

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Foraged mushrooms and sea beet featured in British meals in the 16th century. Why not today?

Foraged mushrooms and sea beet featured in British meals in the 16th century. Why not today?

Wild garlic, oyster mushrooms and sea beet were once regularly gathered and eaten as part of meals across the UK, says Emmanuel Junior Zuza, Visiting Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences at The Open University. Today, some people have concerns about eating food growing in the woods or hedgerows, but are keen to discuss why – […]

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The Middle East conflict has swiftly exposed economic vulnerability in the region

The Middle East conflict has swiftly exposed economic vulnerability in the region

At the end of 2025, the Gulf states received high praise for their economic resilience. According to reports by the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, the region was stable, modern and reliable, says Emilie Rutledge, Senior Lecturer in Economics at The Open University. Now the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) […]

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Forensics: The Real CSI returns for a new series

Forensics: The Real CSI returns for a new series

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 […]

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Launch of the Amar bari, amar jibon [My home, my life] Report at the House of Lords

New study calls for action on inadequate housing facing long-established older Bangladeshi Communities in East London

A landmark, pioneering study into the lived housing experiences of older Bangladeshi adults has revealed how lifelong housing inequalities intensify in later life and calls for action to tackle the housing, care and health inequities uncovered. The report – Amar bari, amar jibon [My home, my life] – led by researchers at The Open University […]

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Degree led to a journey of discovery for Dana – in more ways than one

Degree led to a journey of discovery for Dana – in more ways than one

Dana Jarvis didn’t know she was dyslexic until her Open University tutor recognised some symptoms – now she’s just graduated with a degree in Classical Studies and she’s about to become a published author. The road to success began when the 27 year old from Holt in Norfolk, who is also autistic, decided to start […]

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Double celebration for father and daughter’s Open University graduation

Double celebration for father and daughter’s Open University graduation

It was a real family affair when David Stewart graduated from The Open University with a BA in Arts and Humanities because his daughter Eleanor picked up her own degree at the same time in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Yet it was the retired teacher’s youngest daughter, Martha, 25, whose successful efforts to apply for university […]

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Image Armin Rimondi, Pexels.com

From sun safety to sex appeal: what sunscreen ads reveal about beauty ideals and power

Lauren Alex O’Hagan, The Open University and Lame M. Kenalemang-Palm, Shanghai University In the depths of winter, sunscreen might not be top of many people’s shopping lists. Yet it remains a staple in most households, and many of us are encouraged to use it year-round. But sunscreen’s history reveals more than just protection from the […]

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Photo by Jay Antol, Unsplash

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

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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