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Category: Society and politics

An elderly Rohingya Refugee man looks out upon the devastation caused by the fires that burned down the homes of thousands in April 2021 Photo by Mohamned Zobair

Refugee Week – COVID19: Chronicles from the Margins

The Open University’s (OU) research project, COVID19: Chronicles from the Margins began as the pandemic engulfed the world in March 2020. It aimed to investigate how diverse migrant groups like, asylum-seekers, refugees, migrant workers and undocumented people have responded to COVID-19, and invited these groups to share their experiences through poems, songs, music, photos, short […]

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“Generation Covid” need support to survive job market impact

“Generation Covid” need support to survive job market impact

As figures released this week by the Office for National Statistics reveal that the under 35s are likely to be disproportionately affected by job cuts as a result of the pandemic, the OU’s senior lecturer in economics Alan Shipman examines the picture behind the figures. Reflecting on earlier crises that have hit youth employment he […]

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Suez stranding: Containing the supply chain

Suez stranding: Containing the supply chain

As the movement of ships has now resumed in the Suez Canal since the Ever Given container ship became wedged across the waterway last month, the OU’s Emeritus Professor of politics and global studies Graham Thompson considers what this incident tells us about globalisation in today’s world. Firstly he looks back at a programme made […]

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couple relationships

App-y with that: research finds tech is an aid in relationships

Research funded and led by The Open University is the first to demonstrate how using an App can play an effective role in relationships among couples. A report just published by the OU and the University of Brighton studied use of the relationship app Paired, following its launch last October as part of ongoing research […]

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Rishi Sunak

Budget 2021: experts react

Rishi Sunak has unveiled his second budget as UK chancellor a year into the coronavirus pandemic and during the worst economic collapse in centuries. Our panel of experts offer their views on what he has announced. Edited version of the article to focus on the contribution from Jonquil Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Personal […]

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Furlough scheme: UK has to extend it, but there are serious risks

Furlough scheme: UK has to extend it, but there are serious risks

Dr Alan Shipman, senior lecturer in economics at The Open University, writes about the risk surrounding another extension of the UK furlough scheme. Finance ministers usually rejoice when businesses and employees alike both plead for a signature scheme to be extended. But for UK chancellor Rishi Sunak, demands to continue the country’s Coronavirus Job Retention […]

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generic jury box

Research reveals support for Scottish reforms among legal professionals

New research published this week shows support from the legal profession in Scotland to reforming elements of the Scottish jury system. The research, from The Open University (OU) and published in the Journal of Medicine, Science and Law brings fresh input into the ongoing debate over reforms to the historic jury system in Scotland. It […]

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Photo by Jesco Denzel/Bundesregierung via Getty Images

Behind the scenes of Trump’s turbulent global presence

A look back at the incredible history of Donald Trump’s international relations is the basis for a new and richly-observed three-part documentary, co-produced by the BBC, The Open University and Brook Lapping. Trump on the World Stage begins tonight, Wednesday 10th February at 9pm on BBC2 just as the second impeachment trial of Trump begins […]

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Joe Biden

Will Trump loom large over Biden’s early days?

A very different US presidential inauguration happened in Washington on Wednesday January 20th 2021, as Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States. Historian Dr Sinead McEneaney, lecturer and staff tutor at the OU, talks about the day and indeed what to expect from the next 100 days from both President Joe Biden […]

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How an obscure 1909 novella that foretold the internet can guide us through the latest lockdown

How an obscure 1909 novella that foretold the internet can guide us through the latest lockdown

Dan Taylor, Lecturer in Social and Political Thought at The Open University writes for The Conversation about how literature can provide us with guidance about living through lockdown. For most people the latest national lockdown means uncertainty: precarious jobs and incomes, concerns about the safety of loved ones, and – for many parents – the difficulty […]

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