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Category: Arts and social sciences
The Book That Changed My Life explores reading’s transformative power
A new OU/BBC documentary, The Book That Changed My Life, airs on Wednesday 14 October at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Her Majesty Queen Camilla joins four remarkable people as they reflect on the books that have had a profound influence on their lives. Combining personal stories with wider insights into the value […]
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The UK’s pension triple lock has done its job and needs to be retired
The UK’s pension triple lock has only been in place for 15 years. But it’s done the job it was brought in to do, and now it should be scrapped, says Jonquil Lowe, Senior Lecturer In Economics And Personal Finance, The Open University. So the prime minister is right to want to change it. Because […]
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BBC Bitesize and The Open University launch Bitesize Careers Follow Your Passion to help young people discover careers through the things they love
The new careers initiative aims to tackle the careers awareness gap, as research finds 57% of teenagers have no idea what career they want, but 30% prioritise working in an area they are passionate about. BBC Bitesize and The Open University have joined forces to launch Bitesize Careers Follow Your Passion, a new careers initiative […]
OU technology brings Dunster Castle’s rare gilt leather collection to life
Visitors to the National Trust’s Dunster Castle can now explore its rare 17th-century gilt leather collection in a new immersive film created by The Open University (OU). Shown in a dedicated room before visitors enter the Leather Gallery, the film reveals the stories, craftsmanship and hidden details behind one of the castle’s most remarkable collections. […]
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New Open University podcast explores the psychology behind everyday life
Why do we do the things we do? Why do some memories stick with us, while others fade? Why do we find it so difficult to stay engaged with big global issues like climate change? And why do so many of us wait until we’re struggling before seeking support for our mental wellbeing? These are […]
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Michael Sheen investigates a toxic legacy in new OU/BBC series
A new OU / BBC series, Buried with Michael Sheen begins Monday 17 August at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. For years, Welsh actor Michael Sheen has been haunted by the story of Douglas Gowan, a farming consultant who claimed communities in Wales had been poisoned by decades of toxic chemical dumping. In this […]
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Eleven must‑see comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe
It’s febrile Fringe season again: a time of frantic lists and spreadsheets, and that panicked sense you might not be able to catch all the essential shows, says Emma Sullivan, Associate Lecturer, The Open University. To make life easier, I have compiled a list of the 11 shows that I – an academic specialising in […]
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Should Andy Burnham be ‘relentless’ on small boat crossings?
Following a sudden influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, the discussion on unauthorised migration to Europe is again heightened. In the UK this means a focus on small boat crossings and the policy surrounding them, particularly following 752 arrivals on July 29 – the highest number for one day so far this […]
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Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world
The US economy is continuing to grow faster and generate more new jobs than Europe. Annual national income growth over the past five years has averaged 3.3% in the US against 2.6% in the EU. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU’s GDP was just 0.7% higher than a year before, while that of the […]
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Trees for hotter cities: OU partners on new approach to grow community support for tree-planting
Efforts to plant more trees in cities could be boosted thanks to a new tool for planners and community groups, published by researchers working at sites across the UK. The new free-to-use tool, Tree Value Visions, aims to support councils and communities in thinking about the future of trees in towns and cities in a […]
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