The Open University

BBC Bitesize and The Open University launch Bitesize Careers Follow Your Passion to help young people discover careers through the things they love

1 October 2026

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 […]

Close up image taken of the wall hangings at Dunster Castle, showing the gilt leather. Copyright: National Trust

OU technology brings Dunster Castle’s rare gilt leather collection to life

23 September 2026

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. […]

Screen shot of the main image for the psychology podcast series

New Open University podcast explores the psychology behind everyday life

27 August 2026

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 […]

Michael Sheen investigates a toxic legacy in new OU/BBC series

20 August 2026

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 […]

Street performers in theatrical costumes pose on a cobbled street at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, surrounded by crowds of festival-goers

Eleven must‑see comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe

7 August 2026

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 […]

Should Andy Burnham be ‘relentless’ on small boat crossings?

7 August 2026

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 […]

Why the US economy stays strong even when its policies shock the rest of the world

13 July 2026

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 […]

Trees for hotter cities: OU partners on new approach to grow community support for tree-planting

13 July 2026

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 […]

Uncovering Britain’s hidden heritage: Hidden Treasures returns for a fourth series

15 May 2026

A new OU / BBC series, Hidden Treasures of the National Trust begins Friday 15 May at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. The series, now returning for its fourth run, provides rare behind-the-scenes access to National Trust properties across the UK, revealing the painstaking work involved in conserving priceless artefacts and preserving historic […]

Police force project with The Open University studies drivers’ cognitive overload

15 May 2026

Devon & Cornwall Police has received funding from The Road Safety Trust to support an important new research project, working with The Open University to improve driver safety. The partnership will help lead an 18-month national research programme focused on the mental demands of driving under complex or demanding conditions – situations frequently faced by […]

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Category: Arts and social sciences