OU News

News from The Open University

  1. Home
  2. Category: Science, maths, computing and technology

Category: Science, maths, computing and technology

Range of environments and life forms over multiple years on Earth

Study of climate–carbon behaviour through the ages gives vital lessons on the earth’s capacity when under threat

A detailed study of past changes in the Earth’s climate-carbon system – dating back 539 million years – shows the close links between the vulnerability of life on the planet and the long-term shifts it experiences. The multi-disciplinary paper, led by The Open University (OU) and published in the journal Nature Communications, saw scientists use […]

Read more about Study of climate–carbon behaviour through the ages gives vital lessons on the earth’s capacity when under threat

Simon Hall

OU lit the spark for professor’s lifetime achievement in chemistry research

Picking up a coveted Doctor of Science – a qualification that is only awarded by The Open University (OU) for exceptional scientific contributions – seems a long way from Professor Simon Hall’s memories of crashing out of sixth form with dreams of becoming a rock star. The University of Bristol’s Professor of Chemistry recalls being […]

Read more about OU lit the spark for professor’s lifetime achievement in chemistry research

Professor Gwyneth Stallard

Open University mathematics professor receives society’s top award

The Open University (OU) is delighted to announce that its Professor of Pure Mathematics, Gwyneth Stallard OBE, has been awarded the Senior Anne Bennett Prize by the London Mathematical Society (LMS). The award is for her unwavering promotion of and support for women in mathematics, and for her important contributions to complex dynamics. The Senior […]

Read more about Open University mathematics professor receives society’s top award

OU academic recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

OU academic recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Professor Rachel Hilliam, Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at The Open University, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to Data Sciences. Rachel joined The Open University in 2011 and has held a number of senior roles, including Director of Teaching for Mathematics and Statistics and […]

Read more about OU academic recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

OU expert shows that NASA’s Bennu mission still holds surprises

OU expert shows that NASA’s Bennu mission still holds surprises

During NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission to the asteroid (101955) Bennu, several unusually bright boulders were observed scattered across the asteroid’s otherwise dark surface. These rocks were unexpected, as Bennu’s predicted mineralogy is primitive and volatile-rich, indicating formation without extensive melting processes. One leading hypothesis proposed that these bright boulders originated from (4) Vesta, one of the […]

Read more about OU expert shows that NASA’s Bennu mission still holds surprises

Open University experts at heart of landmark SMILE mission launch

Open University experts at heart of landmark SMILE mission launch

UK scientists, including those from The Open University (OU), are at the heart of SMILE, a pioneering mission that launched today and will transform our understanding of how Earth is protected from the Sun. The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) — a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese […]

Read more about Open University experts at heart of landmark SMILE mission launch

What it would have been like to experience the dinosaur‑killing asteroid armageddon: a blow‑by‑blow account

What it would have been like to experience the dinosaur‑killing asteroid armageddon: a blow‑by‑blow account

A great Tyrannosaurus rex strides through the conifer trees of her territory, sniffing the air. She picks up the scent from the carcass of a dead horned dinosaur, Triceratops, that she was feeding on yesterday. She walks over and strips off some more shreds of meat, but the smell is foul even for her, says Monica Grady, Professor […]

Read more about What it would have been like to experience the dinosaur‑killing asteroid armageddon: a blow‑by‑blow account

cyber security worker

OU qualification officially certified by the National Cyber Security Centre

The Open University’s School of Computing and has announced that its BSc (Hons) Cyber Security (R60) qualification has been officially certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). This significant milestone recognises the programme’s rigorous academic standards and its alignment with the highest professional benchmarks in the cyber security sector. NCSC certification, awarded by the […]

Read more about OU qualification officially certified by the National Cyber Security Centre

New research could aid human-to-parrot communication

New research could aid human-to-parrot communication

A new study, from Professor Clara Mancini of The Open University (OU) and colleagues, has deepened understanding of human to parrot communication through a tablet-based speech board. Previous research showed that parrots can use speech boards to communicate with humans. However, how the design of these boards affects how easy they are for birds to […]

Read more about New research could aid human-to-parrot communication

David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife of Britain’s gardens in new OU / BBC series

David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife of Britain’s gardens in new OU / BBC series

A new OU / BBC series, Secret Garden begins Sunday 5 April at 6pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Sir David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife thriving in Britain’s gardens in a new five‑part series. Filmed in five contrasting gardens across the UK, the series uncovers the remarkable lives of the often charming, and sometimes […]

Read more about David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife of Britain’s gardens in new OU / BBC series

Page 1 of 13