The Open University

OU relationships academic is made a Fellow

21 October 2020

Jacqui Gabb, Professor of Sociology and Intimacy at The Open University, has been named among this year’s Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) FAcSS is the national academy of academics, learned societies and practitioners in the social sciences, and its mission is to promote social science in the United Kingdom. Recipients of a […]

Campaign to recognise the UK’s #changemakers

19 October 2020

The Open University has launched a social media campaign in partnership with UK Parliament Week to highlight “changemakers” past, present or predicted in society. The OU’s student-focused POLIS Open Politics team and UK Parliament Week have partnered to launch the Changemakers project from 12 October until 30 November. The aim is to think about people […]

Survey finds couples “avoid conversation on their relationship”

5 October 2020

Research taken up among couples, conducted in collaboration with the OU shows nearly two thirds do not talk about their relationship – with anyone. The polling (*) was carried out in collaboration with the OU’s Professor Jacqui Gabb to coincide with the launch of Paired – an app for couples to engage in relationship matters. […]

Report charts mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders

24 July 2020

The mental health of emergency responders (ER) could be improved by better integration of wellbeing support into organisations, sharing of “best practice”, a single gateway to help navigate support services, and greater consideration of families’ needs, according to a new report by The Open University and King’s College London researchers. The work was funded by […]

Report warns against “putting clock back” on tackling youth violence

13 July 2020

The final report of the cross-party Youth Violence Commission (YVC), supported by researchers from The Open University and the University of Warwick is launched today (Monday 13 July) calling for specific action to tackle the rising social and financial costs of youth violence. In light of COVID-19, the Commission is deeply concerned about the potential […]

Summer statement: Rishi Sunak goes all out for jobs, leaving public finances for another day

9 July 2020

Alan Shipman, Lecturer in Economics at The Open University, discusses the Government’s summer statement in Parliament and what it means for employment and the economy in the UK. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s summer statement on July 8 was intended to show how the government can quickly end its emergency bankrolling of the economy, and let a […]

Nkurunziza’s life and Burundian politics: beyond the mourning and controversies

24 June 2020

Astrid Jamar, Lecturer in Development at The Open University and Rene Claude Niyonkuru, Researcher at the Universite catholique de Louvain discuss President Pierre Nkurunziza – and his legacy – following his sudden death earlier this month at the age of 55. They explore how his personal and political trajectory was entangled with a long legacy […]

Everybody needs good neighbours, especially right now

19 May 2020

This week we’re all being asked to take a little time out to be kind; kindness is the key ingredient for marking Mental Health Awareness Week. OU lecturer in Criminology Dr Julia Downes considers the difference neighbourhood groups called mutual aid groups are doing and could do, to help support those who might need a […]

Coronavirus: Ten economic steps to support employment

15 May 2020

As the UK and indeed the rest of the world looks at how to survive economically from the pandemic, amid fears of job losses and sustainability in many areas of employment, the OU’s Professor Paul Anand, Professor of Economics shares academic thinking on the policies which should be considered priority in a paper published by […]

Inflation or deflation – which would be worse right now?

7 May 2020

Alan Shipman, Lecturer In Economics at The Open University, discusses whether inflation or deflation would be worse for the UK economy in the current climate. Inflation among the 37 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) fell from 2.3% in February to 1.7% in March. With all the damage to global health […]

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Category: Society and politics