The Open University

OU academic reveals the biggest threats to Putin at home and abroad

25 March 2022

What next for Putin, the oligarchs and the Russian economy in the light of the economic sanctions? Alan Shipman, a Senior Lecturer in Economics at The Open University, is a former ‘emerging markets’ analyst who’s watched Russia’s slide from star performer in the early 2000s to oil-dependent stagnation since 2010. He sheds some light on […]

Ukraine explainer: Why RT has lost its UK licence

18 March 2022

As British media regulator Ofcom revokes the license of RT, the Russian international broadcaster, to broadcast in the UK, The Open University’s Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, Lecturer in Politics and International Studies and a Russian media expert explains the decision. She outlines how the move comes after high-level political concerns over the network’s reporting of Russia’s […]

Invasion of Ukraine: four key insights

2 March 2022

Jamie Gaskarth, Professor of Foreign Policy and International Relations at The Open University, gives a brief overview of the attack on Ukraine and the global response, including the sanctions imposed so far, and where the future may lead. Prof Gaskarth is a frequent commentator and contributor to both media and government on foreign policy and […]

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 […]

OU News

Category: Society and politics