The Open University

OU researchers discover ancient water reservoirs inside Mars

30 March 2020

A team of researchers, including scientists from The Open University (OU), have discovered ancient water reservoirs inside the mantle of Mars. OU researchers Professor Mahesh Anand, Dr Ian Franchi, Dr Susanne Schwenzer and Dr Jessica Barnes, a former student at the OU and an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, worked as part of […]

OU awarded £2.5 million to further success in planetary sciences

30 March 2020

The Open University (OU) has received £2.5 million from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to fund research in planetary sciences, building on the university’s 50 years in space science. Scientists from the School of Physical Sciences have been awarded the grant to further their research in the origin and evolution of the Solar […]

OU scientists make hand sanitiser to support frontline professionals in Milton Keynes

27 March 2020

The Open University (OU) is supporting local efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by producing much-needed hand sanitiser for healthcare professionals in Milton Keynes. With the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been unprecedented demand for hand sanitiser from the public and across the healthcare landscape, which has caused a national shortage. Scientists from […]

Elderly mother and daughter use computer

How to use technology to combat social isolation in older people

26 March 2020

Shailey Minocha, Professor of Learning Technologies and Social Computing at The Open University, writes about how the use of technology and coping strategies can combat social isolation in people over 70. The world has changed since coronavirus (COVID-19) surfaced. Although the situation may be temporary, we realise that things will be different from now on. […]

Why are there UK network issues?

20 March 2020

The UK broadband networks and the national academic network have been experiencing a significant increase in traffic, in light of Government announcements around the Coronavirus pandemic and the changes to daily living and working arrangements gripping the nation and beyond. So why is this the case? Andrew Smith, Senior Lecturer in Networking in the OU’s […]

From supermarket worker to maths teacher – all thanks to the OU!

19 March 2020

Nicole Lam, who grew up in Hong Kong, had always dreamed of becoming a maths teacher, but without the right qualifications she believed there was little hope of ever achieving her ambition – until she found the OU. I never believed I could succeed in higher education and I left school at 16 after GCSE […]

ExoMars2020: how coronavirus played a part in postponement of Mars mission

13 March 2020

In the five decades since we first started sending spacecraft to Mars, exploration of the red planet has had a poor record of success. It is only in the last few years that we have come to expect that the number of successes greatly outweighs the failures. This is why the decision to postpone the […]

OU digital experts showcase blockchain technology at IoC Conference

26 February 2020

Tech experts from The Open University pilot blockchain-verified badges at this year’s Institute of Coding (IoC) Conference. The IoC, a coalition of universities and employers working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap, hosted its second annual conference this week (24 – 25 February 2020). Conference attendees were given delegate badges with blockchain […]

Katherine Johnson: NASA mathematician and much-needed role model

25 February 2020

Monica Grady, Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences at The Open University writes for The Conversation about NASA mathematician, Katherine Johnson. Katherine Johnson, who has died at the age of 101, was an amazing woman. But up until a few years ago, hardly anyone had heard of her or her achievements. She was a mathematician […]

Mars quakes: The InSight lander shows active faults in the planet’s crust

25 February 2020

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at The Open University writes for The Conversation about NASA’s Mars Insight probe. Most space missions investigate the surface or atmosphere of a body. But NASA’s InSight probe, which landed on Mars in November 2018, is different – it is the first mission dedicated to studying the interior structure […]

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Category: Science, maths, computing and technology