OU News

News from The Open University

  1. Home
  2. Category: Arts and social sciences

Category: Arts and social sciences

judges hammer

19th century court case with all the hallmarks in today’s Post Office scandal

In a week when Mr Bates gave evidence at the ongoing inquiry into the post office scandal, here Rosalind Crone, Professor of History at The Open University, points to a 129-year old case that contains similar hallmarks: a grave miscarriage of justice; massive press attention and storytelling that made all the difference. Google the name […]

Read more about 19th century court case with all the hallmarks in today’s Post Office scandal

Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Mention ‘Love is a Many-Splendored Thing’ and you might be mistaken for talking about a song from a forgettable 1950s film, but a bestselling novel preceded them both. An Open University academic has taken a new look at the popular romance A Many-Splendoured Thing that became a worldwide hit for its author Han Suyin. Professor Alex […]

Read more about Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

It’s 50 years since the first recording was made of Dolly Parton’s major hit I will always love you – the hit later taken to chart-topping fame through Whitney Houston’s rendition in the film The Bodyguard. And Dr Marie Thompson, who wrote an Open University six-week short course based on the work of the country […]

Read more about Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

This Friday Russia goes to the polls in a general election predicted to reinstate Vladimir Putin as leader, again. Behind the scenes will be a tried-and-tested toolkit to ensure his victory, according to Open University academic Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody – Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, who specialises in Russian information manipulation. Technically, the […]

Read more about Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

Budget 2024: experts explain what it means for taxpayers, businesses, borrowers and the NHS

Budget 2024: experts explain what it means for taxpayers, businesses, borrowers and the NHS

The spring budget of 2024 was widely seen as a chance for UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt to inject some economic optimism into British politics ahead of a general election. Would he or wouldn’t he cut income tax? (He wouldn’t.) Would he pull rabbits out of hats in a bid to convince the electorate that the […]

Read more about Budget 2024: experts explain what it means for taxpayers, businesses, borrowers and the NHS

judges hammer

I run mock trials to research the legal system. The bias shown in Channel 4’s The Jury: Murder Trial is a very real problem

Academic Dr Lee John Curley is a lecturer in psychology at The Open University who conducts research into the way juries behave behind closed doors. Here, he gives his take on the findings of a new reality show about the potential bias of jurors. Channel 4 has billed its new reality show, Jury: Murder Trial, […]

Read more about I run mock trials to research the legal system. The bias shown in Channel 4’s The Jury: Murder Trial is a very real problem

money counting

Hundreds of councils could sink if the budget does not address their funding distress

With the budget looming on Wednesday Alan Shipman, senior lecturer in economics at The Open University, says if councils don’t get the help they need life will get a lot harder where YOU live. Jeremy Hunt’s Budget options have been narrowed by the growing financial crisis in Britain’s Town Halls as hundreds more councils are […]

Read more about Hundreds of councils could sink if the budget does not address their funding distress

Five books to read if you fell in love with One Day

Five books to read if you fell in love with One Day

Sally O’Reilly is an Honorary Associate in creative writing at The Open University and after the recent airing on Netflix of One Day, based on the book of the same name, she has given her recommendations for books of a similar theme. David Nicholls’s One Day is a poignant, witty depiction of love delayed, found, […]

Read more about Five books to read if you fell in love with One Day

Top road safety figures are backing Open University-led research into the dangers of hands-free phone use while driving

Top road safety figures are backing Open University-led research into the dangers of hands-free phone use while driving

The UK’s roads policing lead and the CEO of The Road Safety Trust are supporting the findings of an Open University educational project highlighting to police that hands-free phone use while driving is no safe alternative to hand-held use. The project called “We need to talk about hands-free”,  was funded by The Road Safety Trust, […]

Read more about Top road safety figures are backing Open University-led research into the dangers of hands-free phone use while driving

Nature award for polar bear photo shows that images of these magnificent creatures still have the power to move people

Nature award for polar bear photo shows that images of these magnificent creatures still have the power to move people

Sam Shaw, who is a lecturer in History of Art at The Open University, says he had ‘mixed feelings’ with the revelation that this polar bear picture won a nature award. Here he tells us of the ‘fascinating’ journey his research took him on in fathoming why these bears have come to illustrate the demise […]

Read more about Nature award for polar bear photo shows that images of these magnificent creatures still have the power to move people

Page 10 of 53