The Open University

New study calls for more ethical space research

14 September 2023

In a new paper, released today (14 September 2023) in Nature Astronomy, Open University (OU) researchers and their collaborators highlight ethical issues surrounding research in ‘extreme’ environments used as analogue sites to understand other planets, and how this relates to the future of space exploration. OU academics Dr Alessandra Marino, Professor Karen Olsson-Francis and Professor […]

Have we really found the first samples from beyond the Solar System? The evidence is not convincing

11 September 2023

Monica Grady is a Professor in Planetary Sciences at The Open University: Avi Loeb, an astrophysicist at Harvard University in the US, has published a press release claiming that some of the 700 or so spherical metallic fragments (spherules) he recovered from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of Papua New […]

AstrobiologyOU at Bluedot festival: Life in extreme weather

22 August 2023

Author: Victoria Pearson AstrobiologyOU – an Open University research group looking into life beyond earth and the challenges of astrobiology missions – were showcased this summer at the Bluedot festival, held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jodrell Bank Observatory. The annual festival combines live music, comedy and culture with science and space delivered […]

Photo of three children with their backs to the camera. They are weaving with colourful fabric scraps

New art exhibit celebrates the beauty and value of floodplain meadows

18 August 2023

A new art exhibit is being shown at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History to celebrate and raise awareness of Britain’s floodplain meadows. The exhibit will be open until the end of October and is part of an Open University (OU) project working to conserve, restore and protect Britain’s floodplain meadows. The Floodplain Meadows […]

OU Lecturer wins National Teaching Fellowship for outstanding impact on student outcomes and teaching

3 August 2023

After a highly competitive process, Derek Jones, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Design at The Open University has received a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) from AdvanceHE. The award recognises his contribution to the development and improvement of design education at national and international levels. The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have […]

First images taken by the Euclid space telescope are released

1 August 2023

The European Space Agency released the first images taken by the Euclid space telescope’s VIS instrument, which was built by an international team including scientists from The Open University (OU). The black and white engineering images depict stars, star clusters and galaxies, captured by the array of 36 visible light detectors in the VIS camera. […]

OU to lead a new era in planetary protection

25 July 2023

The Open University (OU) is to lead a UK consortium to develop a ground-breaking planetary protection approach that will enable the next generation of space missions. The primary aims of planetary protection are to ensure that: scientific investigations of possible extra-terrestrial life forms, precursors, and remnants are not put at risk during planetary space missions; […]

No simple fix to climate variation extremes – just better management

25 July 2023

As southern Europe and parts of the USA and Asia sizzle in unbearable record-breaking heat, Dr Kevin Collins, senior lecturer in the environment and systems, from The Open University gives a stark warning – there’s no simple fix to the variation in climate change, only improved management. While the UK isn’t frying it’s just a […]

New OU / BBC programme explores how we can make our cars and heating greener

21 July 2023

Tuesday 25th July sees the first of two brand new programmes from The Open University (OU) and BBC titled What They Really Mean For You, beginning on BBC One at 20:00, presented by BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt. The first episode, Electric Cars: What They Really Mean For You, investigates people’s frustrations with electric cars […]

Kenyan minister visits OU on fact-finding mission to potentially adopt elements of distance learning education

20 July 2023

The OU recently played host to Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Higher Education on a visit to Walton Hall to see how the country could develop supported distance learning. The Kenyan government has prioritised digital learning to improve equity, quality and access to Higher Education and since President William Ruto was elected in August 2022, he […]

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Category: Science, maths, computing and technology