The Open University

Ukraine war: RT coverage is biased and misleading but banning the network may not be a good idea

1 March 2022

By Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, The Open University YouTube has blocked access across Europe to Russia’s state-funded international broadcasters, RT (formerly Russia Today) and Sputnik – including to the UK. The decision follows the announcement on February 27 of expanded sanctions against Russia by the European Commission, which saw RT, Sputnik and their subsidiaries, banned across […]

We are Black & British copyright Cardiff Productions

Being Black and British: OU/BBC series explores what it’s like for six housemates

21 February 2022

A two-part series co-produced by the BBC and the OU brings six black Britons from very different backgrounds and viewpoints together to share their personal stories and debate being black and British. We Are Black and British, airs on consecutive evenings beginning on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th February on BBC Two at 9pm. Six […]

Pandemic’s impact in the bedroom sheds new light on our sex lives

14 February 2022

How was it for you? Latest findings post-pandemic offer a revealing picture of our sex lives which is worth talking about, says the Open University’s Professor of Sociology and Intimacy. She comments on one of society’s most tricky topics ahead of Valentine’s Day around the world. “Sex remains one of the most difficult areas to […]

Beijing Olympics: Why Pakistan is sending one athlete and eight ministers to the winter Games

7 February 2022

By Dr Filippo Boni, Lecturer in Politics and International Studies at The Open University There may be a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics by a number of western countries, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, but Pakistan is sending a high level delegation. The prime minister, Imran Khan, and […]

Proposed sporting categories could support inclusion and fairness, OU academic suggests

26 January 2022

In the run-up to the forthcoming Olympic Winter Games in Beijing next month, seeing athletes from across the world competing in winter sports such as bobsleigh, ice skating and downhill skiing, a newly published policy paper suggests that sporting categories might change in the future to better accommodate sporting endeavour, inclusion and fairness. The co-authored […]

Olu Jacobs: Nollywood’s elder statesman has always acted for his country

21 January 2022

Françoise Ugochukwu, Senior Research Fellow, Development, Policy and Practice (DPP) at The Open University writes about renowned Nigerian actor-producer Olu Jacobs. Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, the Nigerian film producer and renowned actor, whose career spans more than five decades, belongs to that group of elders representing the best of Nigeria. He was recently presented with the […]

Capitol assault: the real reason Trump and the crowd almost killed US democracy

6 January 2022

Written by Dr Evangelos Ntontis, Lecturer in Social Psychology at The Open University, Stephen Reicher, Bishop Wardlaw Professor in the School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, Alex Haslam, Professor of Psychology and ARC Laureate Fellow, The University of Queensland and Klara Jurstakova, PhD Candidate, Canterbury Christ Church University It was the moment that could […]

International Migrants Day – OU research sheds light on the realities and barriers

17 December 2021

As organisations across the world mark the United Nations’ International Migrants Day (18 December) the OU shares stories by staff and students of their experiences and the lives of migrants. Earlier this year Sarah Crafter, Professor of Cultural-Developmental Psychology at The Open University won EU funding for a research project aiming to enhance the lives […]

Drivers and hand-held mobile phones: extending the ban won’t solve the problem – here’s why

24 November 2021

Written by Dr Gemma Briggs, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at The Open University and Helen Wells, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Keele Univeristy. The laws around mobile phone use while driving are to be tightened under new UK government plans to make any use of a hand-held phone illegal. From 2022, mobile phone law will be extended […]

Revision cards with a large black question mark drawn on the top card.

Series ponders how to gain better clarity of thought

22 November 2021

Decision making can be a tricky business and it’s at the heart of a new BBC/OU co-produced radio series, aiming to help us all to become better thinkers. Professor Steven Pinker has spent his life thinking about thinking and invites listeners to join him in this new 12-part series. In Think With Pinker, Professor Pinker has […]

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Category: Society and politics