The Open University

Vote of no confidence: what does it mean for Boris Johnson?

6 June 2022

Professor of Politics & International Studies at The Open University Simon Usherwood outlines the vote of no confidence in the House of Commons on Monday June 6 2022 and what it could mean for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. How will Tory MPs vote? The process of a no confidence vote in the Conservative party might […]

Haiti has suffered hugely over centuries but its revolution was stunningly innovative

31 May 2022

Anna Plassart, The Open University Since the New York Times published its recent series of bombshell articles about the crippling reparations that France imposed on Haiti after it won independence in 1804, much has been written about how this 150 million franc “indemnity” had virtually doomed the fledgling country before it had a chance to […]

Elon Musk could roll back social media moderation – just as we’re learning how it can stop misinformation

15 May 2022

Harith Alani, The Open University; Grégoire Burel, The Open University, and Tracie Farrell, The Open University The US$44 billion (£36 billion) purchase of Twitter by “free speech absolutist” Elon Musk has many people worried. The concern is the site will start moderating content less and spreading misinformation more, especially after his announcement that he would […]

Spring Statement 2022: quick analysis about standards of living, energy crisis and more – from experts

25 March 2022

Keith Baker, Glasgow Caledonian University; Cam Donaldson FRSE, Glasgow Caledonian University; Ernestine Gheyoh Ndzi, York St John University; Gavin Midgley, University of Southampton; Jonquil Lowe, The Open University; Karen Bloor, University of York; Karl Schmedders, International Institute for Management Development (IMD); Peter Bloom, University of Essex; Phil Tomlinson, University of Bath; Renaud Foucart, Lancaster 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 […]

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Category: Society and politics