The Open University

Learning lessons on coping with death from an African perspective

7 March 2016

The report, Responses to Death, Care and Family Relations in Urban Senegal, conducted by academics from the University of Reading and The Open University provides the first in-depth understanding of responses to death, care and family relations in an urban West African context. Funded by The Leverhulme Trust, the researchers suggest that Britain could […]

How far should we go when depicting violence?

4 March 2016

London audiences have been horrified by the violence shown on stage in the National Theatre’s production of Sarah Kane’s play Cleansed. The National’s own website rather euphemistically describes the production as “unflinching”, but media reports have dwelt on the gory action in more detail. The play involves electrocution, incest, forced sex-reassignment surgery, and in a […]

Cute little child girl reading a book. Image credit: Thinkstock

11 children’s books that challenge gender stereotypes

3 March 2016

Bookshops, libraries and schools are starting to rethink the merit of dividing reading sections and recommendations into books for boys and books for girls. “There are some great examples of strong female characters that appeal to boys and girls in young adult fiction, especially with the recent popularity of dystopian series such as The Hunger Games […]

Secured data transfer. Image credit: Thinkstock

Investigatory Powers Bill ‘rush job’ is a recipe for disaster

2 March 2016

The Investigatory Powers Bill – which could allow police to hack mobile phones, computers and web browsing history – provides a unique opportunity to lead global surveillance regulation. But, rushing the Bill through parliament without adequate scrutiny is a potential recipe for disaster. That’s according to Ray Corrigan, senior lecturer in maths, computing and technology […]

Boris delivers Brexit body blow for sterling, but long term picture is murkier

23 February 2016

Most prospective prime ministers would be mildly embarrassed if a boost to their chances made financial markets plunge. But Boris Johnson is doubtless gratified that his backing for Brexit led to the pound’s biggest one-day fall since the aftermath of the financial crisis. Sterling had barely flinched when cabinet ministers including Michael Gove and Iain […]

Why are today’s progressive political heroes still old white men?

16 February 2016

On both sides of the Atlantic, a reawakening of progressive politics is underway. In countries where until recently socialism was considered a “dirty word”, Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn are inspiring a growing number of American and British citizens with a message of economic equality and social justice. And both have concrete achievements to show […]

couple enjoying a romantic dinner by candlelight. Image credit: Thinkstock

Are grand gestures a turn-off on Valentine’s Day? OU experts investigate

13 February 2016

The language of love is sometimes hard to understand. With Valentine’s Day upon us, the UK’s commercial outlets are busy shoving images and adverts of hearts and flowers in our faces. So much so you could be fooled into thinking there’s only one way to show you care. But authors of a new self-help book on […]

How to bump up your credit score

25 January 2016

Debt is cheap right now, but only if you can get someone to offer you a deal. The low interest rate environment has pushed rates on mortgages and loans to record lows, but at the same time, banks have tightened up their lending policies. Whether you get credit – and the interest rate you’ll pay […]

Academics urge better investigation into toxic air fumes in aircraft

23 January 2016

Studies into the impact of toxic air fumes in aircraft cabins are not rigorous enough, academics are saying. They have been examining the research. They say governments and industry need to look closely at the issue to give a definitive answer to concerns about health risks. Dr Gini Harrison, a Lecturer in Psychology at The […]

Finding out why women don’t rise to the top of the UK’s IT crowd

22 January 2016

Where are all the top women in IT in the UK? OU research is investigating this very question to see why there is a lack of women working in highly-skilled roles in the tech sector. The team will compare the UK and India, looking at the employment of women in this industry in both countries. […]

OU News

Category: Arts and social sciences