The Open University

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 […]

Triple gold for powerful Grenfell Tower film

1 May 2020

A film about the Grenfell Tower tragedy, created by Dr David Scott, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, in conjunction with Hamlett Films, has won not one but three awards. The film was awarded gold in the educational category at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards just announced in May 2020. It follows earlier success […]

Surge in visitors to OU’s online counselling advice course

29 April 2020

Academics at the OU have received overwhelming support for their expertise in providing assistance to counsellors needing to move their services online in the current lockdown. Counselling of all kinds, dealing with mental health, abuse, anxiety, bereavement and relationship advice among other things, has been quickly moved to digital platforms to permit continuity for clients. […]

Acting together in isolation: the “paradox” of life in the pandemic

15 April 2020

Dr Cristina Chimisso considers the constraints placed on all of us across the world to live in isolation and confinement and keep a social distance, yet the paradox philosophically of needing to act together. She draws on the writings of Hannah Arendt in discussing what it might mean today to ‘act in concert’ and the […]

Love in a time of Covid-19: families and couple relationships

30 March 2020

The necessary restrictions imposed during the Coronavirus pandemic are likely to put pressure on our relationships and family life. Professor Jacqui Gabb, who has researched and written extensively on relationships, discusses some of the issues and offers practical thoughts on what is important. Professor Gabb is co-author of Enduring Love. Her research centres on intimacy […]

Why misogyny and hate crime reforms need more than slick campaigns

27 March 2020

Wolf-whistling, catcalling and groping make up just some of the intimidating behaviour that women experience every day from men. But there is an attempt underway in the UK parliament that seeks to protect women from this kind of “acceptable” misogyny. On March 9, Wera Hobhouse, the MP for Bath in south-west England, presented her Hate […]

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Category: Society and politics