The Open University

At chocolate time, we’ve discovered what the brands that score best on child labour and the environment have in common

29 March 2023

What distinguishes a company that makes “good” chocolate (chocolate untainted by child labour, modern slavery, deforestation and the overuse of agrichemicals) from one that merely makes chocolate? Our annual Chocolate Scorecard investigation, which is a collaboration between Be Slavery Free, Macquarie University, The University of Wollongong and the Open University, suggests it might be a mission that goes beyond making food and […]

Three ways the ‘back to work’ budget will affect your finances

17 March 2023

Jonquil Lowe is a senior lecturer in economics and personal finance at the OU and gives her verdict on the recent budget and three key ways it will affect your finances. In the 2023 spring budget, UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled a raft of measures designed to boost economic growth and productivity. To achieve this […]

New OU/BBC co-production showcases some of Scotland’s most remarkable women

21 February 2023

A new three-part series ‘The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland’ will tell the story of women who had a role in shaping Scotland over the last 50 years. Presented by Kirsty Wark, it will highlight the women who, throughout the decades have challenged the status quo, defied sexism to seize new opportunities and in more […]

Behind the scenes of the Parole Board

20 February 2023

Academics from the Faculty of Business and Law worked behind the scenes in a fascinating OU/BBC documentary about the process involved in hearing prisoners’ parole applications. In England and Wales annually, about 16,000 of the potentially most dangerous criminals are considered for parole before the end of their sentence and around 4,000 of them are […]

Dungeons & Dragons licence changes threaten the fan community the game relies upon – legal expert explains

13 February 2023

Dr Kim Barker is a senior lecturer in law at The Open University specialising in internet law – particularly online games. Here she talks about the popular Dungeons & Dragons game and how its new licence is making major digital waves. Dungeons & Dragons has a longstanding appeal as a role-playing game – or as […]

Open University Business School alum Zoë Andre-Lawson honoured as an Influential Leader by prestigious education body

9 February 2023

AACSB has named Open University Business School (OUBS) alum Zoë Andre-Lawson in its list of the top 25 influential leaders for 2023. The prestigious accolade recognises notable alumni from AACSB-accredited business schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders, and the recipients of this year’s honours features individuals […]

The UK government may have rejected menopause protections – but workplaces are more supportive than ever

8 February 2023

Jo Brewis is Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University Business School. She is the co-author of the 2017 government report The effects of menopause transition on women’s economic participation in the UK and an independent panel member for Menopause Friendly Accreditation. Here she discusses the progress made by some UK work places to […]

New research finds the biggest predictors of future wealth

11 January 2023

Are you a saver or a spender? Do you plan financially for the future? According to new research, your planning capabilities and attitude towards money are two big drivers when it comes to accumulating wealth. Drawing on data from more than 90,000 UK adults, the paper titled Money attitudes, financial capabilities, and impulsiveness as predictors […]

Report uncovers several areas that urgently need addressing in the investigations of rape and other sexual offences

16 December 2022

Findings from Operation Soteria Bluestone, a report launched in 2021 as a response to the government End-to-End Rape Review, have revealed several areas that urgently need addressing in the investigations of rape and other sexual offences (RAOSO). The report has been published as part of the Home Office’s pledge to increase the number of rape […]

Jess Phillips MP is special guest at Violence Against Women and Girls event

24 November 2022

Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, Jess Phillips MP was on the panel for a one-day conference on campus hosted by The Centre for Policing Research and Learning looking at ways to combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The aim of the conference was to increase awareness and understanding of the key strands […]

OU News

Category: Business and law