The Open University

What conspiracy theories have in common with fiction – and why it makes them compelling stories

19 December 2019

In an era dominated by “fake news” and disinformation, conspiracy theories are coming to play an increasingly influential role in modern politics. During the recent impeachment hearings in the US, for example, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill warned that “fictional narratives” pushed by Russia were undermining American security. But what’s the difference exactly […]

Expert reaction to Boris Johnson’s General Election victory

13 December 2019

Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has won a large majority in the 2019 general election. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that he will not lead his party in any future elections but will stay on during a period of reflection about what happened in this campaign. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has lost […]

Climate crisis: six steps to making fossil fuels history

3 December 2019

Dr Stephen Peake, Senior Lecturer in Environment at The Open University writes for The Conversation about the climate crisis. In shouting “system change not climate change”, young people understand that the 3-4℃ warmer world we’re headed for would be far more painful, costly and disruptive than any short-term costs or inconvenience we face from taking […]

UK election 2019: a choice between low-tax, individualism or generous state with unknown price tag

25 November 2019

Jonquil Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Personal Finance at The Open University writes for The Conversation about the tax implications of the upcoming general election. Brexit may be the main reason for the UK’s upcoming general election, but voters are also invited to choose between two radically different types of social system with different […]

If politicians are serious about tackling inequality they need to properly overhaul the tax system – here’s how

3 October 2019

Dr Hanna Szymborska, Lecturer in Economics at The Open University writes for The Conversation about inequality in the UK’s tax system. Inequality has shot to the top of the agenda across the political spectrum. Politicians, activists, and even billionaires increasingly call for more radical measures to tackle the problem. Britain’s Conservative government proclaimed the end to austerity in its […]

OU academic gives evidence to Parliament inquiry on coastal flooding and climate change

23 July 2019

Community engagement has a key role to play in policy and planning processes for coastal flooding and climate change, says an OU geographer giving evidence to a Government inquiry. Dr George Revill, Senior Lecturer in Geography from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, has today given oral evidence to the coastal flooding and adaptation […]

A urinal in a Scottish pub reveals why toilets matter in international politics

6 June 2019

If you wanted to see international politics in action, where would you go? Maybe the UN headquarters in New York to see diplomats debating resolutions of global import? Or drop in on one of the world’s many financial hubs, where trading shapes international markets and determines the success or failure of nations. But you probably […]

From prisoner to OU student and staff member

7 May 2019

Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski’s story shows exactly how life-changing education can be. His journey has taken him from a prisoner, to an OU student and now to an OU member of staff supporting the Students in Secure Environments team. Stephen first began studying for his BSc in Social Science with The Open University while he was in […]

Eye witness accuracy affected by background colour in ID parades, research finds

30 April 2019

Research shows differing background colours in Police ID parades can affect eye witness accuracy

Charity t-shirt scandals: Is a low wage better than no wage at all?

2 April 2019

The news that workers in Bangladesh were being paid 35p an hour to produce the Spice Girls t-shirt, emblazoned with ‘Gender Justice’ on the back, caused consternation. Dr Lorena Lombardozzi, Lecturer in Economics, blogs for LSE about the problem with the lack of accountability in value-chains. Empty celebrity promises Dr Lombardozzi says there is a […]

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Category: Society and politics