The Open University

How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force

16 December 2015

Main image © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. When I finally see the new Star Wars film, I will be keeping my ears open. Although the initial trilogy was justly celebrated for its use of groundbreaking visual effects, for me, the sound of the films has always been more significant. Even in the woeful prequel […]

From Achilles to Hilary Benn: what Homer might have thought of the Syria air strikes debate

4 December 2015

When David Cameron, the UK prime minister, stood up to speak before colleagues in the British parliament on Wednesday to argue in favour of air strikes on Syria, he was initiating a political activity – debate – that’s familiar to all democratic societies. He was also stepping into a role that stretches all the way […]

OU classicist recognised as “one of the leading Hellenists of her generation”

4 December 2015

Laura Swift, lecturer in classical studies at The Open University, has been awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize for her research. This prestigious award is one of the highest honours in academic research and is awarded by The Leverhulme Trust to only 30 individuals each year across a range of academic disciplines. Dr Swift received the award […]

Asking whether porn causes sexual violence is the wrong question

30 November 2015

The idea that pornography causes – or is at least linked to – sexual violence is often simply accepted without question. We hear the association in court cases, political debate and media coverage of crimes, where the connection is often implied just by listing the kinds of pornography a defendant has watched, if not made […]

Money and financial graph. Image credit: Thinkstock

What you need to know ahead of the Spending Review

24 November 2015

The third major economic statement of the year will be surprisingly tough for a government now boasting a growing economy and a Commons majority. Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne will deliver the details of the Autumn Statement and Spending Review on Wednesday November 25 2015. A five-year view of the government’s spending plans, it […]

Socialism is not a dirty word: Bernie Sanders really is changing US democracy

23 November 2015

After months of expectation, US senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has at last given what might be remembered as one of the landmark speeches of the 2016 election: an explanation and defence of his position as a “democratic socialist”. Linking his beliefs to revered figures from US history such as Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon B. […]

#MY100: Celebrating the vision of one of University’s founders

12 November 2015

The lifetime achievements – and lasting influence – of one of the founders of The Open University has been celebrated with a centenary conference in his name. The Young Foundation, established by Michael Young (1915 to 2002), hosted the Michael Young Centenary Conference 100 years after his birth. It was held at The Barbican, London, […]

Is there a link between youth poverty and crime? The answers may surprise you

10 November 2015

Today, for a substantial minority of 16 to 24-year-olds, to be young is to be workless, poorly paid or just plain poor. Young people in this age group are among the most disadvantaged in the UK, according to a disturbing new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). But despite economic and other hardships […]

Uncanny valley: why we find human-like robots and dolls so creepy

10 November 2015

The “uncanny valley” is a characteristic dip in emotional response that happens when we encounter an entity that is almost, but not quite, human. It was first hypothesised in 1970 by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori who identified that as robots became more human-like, people would find them to be more acceptable and appealing than their […]

Street lamps and stone pavement at night. Image credit: Thinkstock

Acid bath murderers and poison: why dark tourism is important

3 November 2015

People love all things spooky and gory. I was reminded of the truth of this when I visited the Museum of London’s new exhibition The Crime Museum Uncovered. It was a tantalising prospect, promising “never-before-seen objects from the Metropolitan Police’s Crime Museum” on display “for the first time ever”. This Crime Museum was established in […]

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Category: Arts and social sciences