The Open University

New Research Network to support the UK’s Food Manufacturing Digital Economy

31 July 2018

A new project has been launched to examine how the Internet of Things (IoT) could transform the food industry through innovations such as ‘smart’ cooking appliances, data-driven supermarket refrigeration networks and enhanced food traceability systems. The Internet of Food Things (IoFT) Network Plus will bring together data and computer scientists, chemists, and economists to investigate […]

OU launches plastic waste initiative with BBC

28 July 2018

Following the impact of Blue Planet II, The Open University (OU) and the BBC have launched an online platform, which brings together programmes and resources to help us understand plastics, the impact they have on the environment, and top tips to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics. Plastics Watch brings together engaging and interactive content […]

From cradle to grave – new model identifies factors that have shaped evolution

20 July 2018

Research involving scientists from The Open University (OU) published today in Science brings us closer to understanding how the complex interactions between topography (especially mountain ranges) and climate change influence the evolutionary histories and biodiversity of species in the Earth’s natural ecosystems. In a major step forward, the international team of researchers from the University […]

OU lecturer selected as one of the top women in engineering

18 July 2018

Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Innovation, Carol Morris, has been recognised for her efforts in challenging gender stereotypes in engineering with a Top 50 Women in Engineering Award (WE50). In competition with over 200 nominations, Carol was awarded the WE50 – Returners and Transferrers for being a passionate supporter of women in engineering and for being […]

A journey to Mercury: TEDxLondon talk by Professor David Rothery

17 July 2018

Professor David Rothery spoke at TEDxLondon in July 2018, talking about the upcoming BepiColombo mission, Europe’s first mission to Mercury. Setting off in October 2018, the mission will take seven years to reach its destination, with the spacecraft completing a complex trajectory to reach the planet before examining its surface and magnetic field in detail. […]

Tropical forests can recover from destructive impact of human activity, suggests OU research

16 July 2018

New research The Open University published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that tropical forests may be more resilient to the effects of our behaviour than previously thought and offers hope that, if undisturbed, tropical forests may be able to recover from the harmful effects of human activity. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) […]

OU graduate and former Associate Lecturer wins top engineering award

12 July 2018

OU graduate and former associate lecturer, Dr Phebe Mann, has been recognised with a Top 50 Women in Engineering Award (WE50) for her outstanding achievements in engineering. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the skills shortage facing the industry and the huge discrepancy between the number of men vs. women currently in engineering professions, to […]

Standing on our soapboxes to shout about women in science

29 June 2018

Dancing stars and what forms a mountain are just two of the topics female academics from the OU will be speaking to members of the public about at Soapbox Science MK 2018. PhD Researchers, Eleni Wood and Heidi Thiemann and Planetary Scientist, Dr Nisha Ramkissoon, will join nine other scientists at thecentre:mk in Milton Keynes […]

Comet or asteroid? Mysterious ‘Oumuamua shows why we may need a new classification system

28 June 2018

Ever since space scientists first spotted the odd, cigar-shaped object known as 1I/‘Oumuamua in the sky, they have been debating what it is exactly. Suggestions have included an asteroid, a comet and even alien spaceship. Now a study, published in Nature, suggests it may actually be a comet – but an unusual one. The fascinating […]

Is there a new volcano on Hawaii?

27 June 2018

Kilauea, the most active volcano on Hawaii, has been in continual eruption since 1983. It entered a new phase in early May when fractures along a rift on the eastern side of the volcano opened during a series of earthquakes – some of which became volcanic fissures from which lava was erupted. These fissures allowed […]

OU News

Category: Science, maths, computing and technology