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Category: Arts and social sciences
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 […]
Uncovering Britain’s hidden heritage: Hidden Treasures returns for a fourth series
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 […]
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Police force project with The Open University studies drivers’ cognitive overload
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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How severe has the economic impact of the Iran war been for the Gulf states?
The US and Israel’s war on Iran has cast a long shadow over the Gulf. It has placed many of the economies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regional grouping – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia – under substantial strain, says Emilie Rutledge, Senior Lecturer in […]
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State opening of parliament 2026: experts on plans for cost of living, EU ties, tourist tax and more
The government has set out its legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session in the king’s speech. Our panel of experts reveals the key points. Measures to ease high living costs Jonquil Lowe, Visiting Academic, The Open University Surveys suggest that the cost of living is still a major concern for UK households, with energy and food […]
Pilgrimage: The Road to the Holy Island – a new OU/BBC series exploring Britain’s spiritual heritage
A new OU / BBC series, Pilgrimage: The Road to the Holy Island begins Sunday 5 April at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Set against the dramatic landscapes of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, this returning series revisits a pilgrimage route that charts the emergence of early English Christianity. Woven through 1,400 years of […]
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