The Open University

Accolades bestowed in Business and Law Student and Alumni Awards

1 November 2021

In a year like no other, The Open University’s Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) enjoyed a double celebration for the achievements of its students and alumni. The pandemic put paid to its awards in 2020 but this year they returned, although they looked a lot different. Around 50 people gathered for the event, mostly […]

What’s wrong with talking about the menopause?

15 October 2021

An OU academic is highlighting the difficulties working women encounter on World Menopause Day since many must live with debilitating symptoms impacting their performance at work. “The change”, as it was quaintly referred to by a whispering post-war generation, was seldom talked about in the workplace. Although that’s all changing, there’s still more to be […]

List of celebratory events heralds Black History Month at the OU

4 October 2021

A programme of online events and activities is being staged for staff and students at The Open University to celebrate national Black History Month. This year’s theme is “Proud to be…” and subjects range from Black Tudor Britain to identity, belonging, decolonisation and religion. In this annual event, the OU is highlighting the stories of […]

Spotlight on international law… and learning English

4 October 2021

Thousands of people in parts of Africa and Asia are to benefit from a digital online series that not only helps them learn English but also explains how international law can empower them to improve their lives. The Open University worked in collaboration with BBC Learning English and now the BBC’s free-to-access Learning English website […]

Domestic homicides remain stable during lockdown but still an enduring problem says new report commissioned by police

25 August 2021

Domestic homicides remain an ‘entrenched and enduring problem’ despite figures remaining relatively stable during lockdown, a new report drawing on research by an OU academic and commissioned by police has found. ‘Domestic Homicides and Suspected Victim Suicides During the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020-2021’ is the first report of the Domestic Homicide Project, established by the National […]

Geronimo the alpaca – the case for animals having the same legal rights as people

17 August 2021

Written by Fred Motson, Lecturer in Law, at The Open University. The fate of Geronimo the alpaca was seemingly sealed in the UK’s high court recently when the appeal against an order to slaughter him was rejected. After twice testing positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB), Geronimo’s death was ordered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural […]

Impact of COVID-19 on weddings reinforces need for marriage law reforms

9 July 2021

Research by Dr Stephanie Pywell, from The Open University and Professor Rebecca Probert from the University of Exeter into the impact of COVID-19 on weddings has reinforced the need for marriage law reforms. Complications thrown up after events were cancelled due to the various lockdowns resulted in hundreds finding it difficult to reconvene, the research […]

Reforming Scotland’s unique jury system: why we need to listen to lawyers

25 May 2021

Lee John Curley, James Munro, Jim Turner and Lara Frumkin, all from The Open University discuss reforming Scotland’s unique jury system. Rape Crisis Scotland has once again called for the country’s not proven verdict to be scrapped, after new figures revealed that almost a quarter of all rape and attempted rape cases ended in acquittals under this […]

Open University students receive top scholarship awards from prestigious Gray’s Inn

5 May 2021

Three Open University Law students have been awarded scholarships from the highly regarded Gray’s Inn – one of the four Inns of Court which has the exclusive right to call men and women to the Bar of England and Wales. The prestigious scholarships recognise merit, intellectual ability, advocacy and drive and determination to succeed at […]