OU News

News from The Open University

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

Category: Science, maths, computing and technology

Image shows Tim Blackman being presented with the Queen's Anniversary Prize by The Queen at Buckingham Palace

The Queen presents The Open University with Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace

The Open University has been presented with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education by Her Majesty The Queen today at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace. It was announced in November that the OU had been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its OpenSTEM Labs initiative – the highest national Honour in […]

Read more about The Queen presents The Open University with Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: the cosmic fertiliser that fuelled the origins of life

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: the cosmic fertiliser that fuelled the origins of life

The origin of life is an event so rare that, to the best of our knowledge, it has only happened once: here on Earth. The questions of how life developed and in what environments geochemical reactions took place are fundamental questions that span the fields of astrobiology, organic chemistry, and geology. One key ingredient is […]

Read more about Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: the cosmic fertiliser that fuelled the origins of life

OU space scientists awarded grant to investigate a Mars’ atmospheric mystery

OU space scientists awarded grant to investigate a Mars’ atmospheric mystery

A new research grant awarded to scientists at The Open University (OU) will make it possible to investigate the long-standing mystery of ozone on Mars. The atmosphere of Mars, which is mostly made of carbon dioxide (CO2), has trace amounts of ozone present, at levels far lower than that found on Earth.  A long-standing problem […]

Read more about OU space scientists awarded grant to investigate a Mars’ atmospheric mystery

artificial intelligence

The Open University among winners of the prestigious AI Fairness Innovation Challenge

The Open University (OU) has been successful in the highly competitive AI Fairness Innovation Challenge delivered by the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Innovate UK. Out of 75 submissions nationwide, only four were selected for funding, with the OU emerging as one of the coveted winners. This achievement underscores the university’s […]

Read more about The Open University among winners of the prestigious AI Fairness Innovation Challenge

Meet the OU apprentices readying to take the science industry by storm

Meet the OU apprentices readying to take the science industry by storm

To celebrate this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (5-11 February 2024), we spoke to The Open University’s (OU) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) apprentices who are working and training in the university’s labs. Through a partnership with training provider Tiro, the OU provides the employer-led side of laboratory training on site in Milton Keynes. The […]

Read more about Meet the OU apprentices readying to take the science industry by storm

The Open University and Cisco partner up to offer girls and young women cybersecurity training

The Open University and Cisco partner up to offer girls and young women cybersecurity training

As cybersecurity threats increase worldwide, there is a greater need than ever for a skilled, diverse cyber workforce. To address this gap, The Open University (OU) and Cisco have joined forces to create the Cisco Networking Academy Cyber Camps. This initiative provides free, remote, self-paced training for students in the UK, aged 13-19, who identify […]

Read more about The Open University and Cisco partner up to offer girls and young women cybersecurity training

Listen to new OU / BBC radio series Rare Earth

Listen to new OU / BBC radio series Rare Earth

Tune into BBC Radio 4 weekly from today (19 January) to listen to the new OU / BBC radio series, Rare Earth, with environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski. The radio series digs into some of the biggest environmental issues facing our planet today, with fascinating insights from experts. You can listen on […]

Read more about Listen to new OU / BBC radio series Rare Earth

Black hole

Citizen scientists needed to discover elusive black holes

Could you help our scientists uncover the mysterious world of invisible black holes? Become a Black Hole Hunter and you’ll be taking part in scientific research that has the potential to reveal more about one of space’s most intriguing aspects. All you will need is a smartphone, tablet or other computer, some guidance on how […]

Read more about Citizen scientists needed to discover elusive black holes

Research sheds new light on Moon rock formation solving major puzzle in lunar geology

Research sheds new light on Moon rock formation solving major puzzle in lunar geology

New research has cracked a vital process in the creation of a unique rock type from the Moon. The discovery explains its signature composition and very presence on the lunar surface at all, unravelling a mystery which has long eluded scientists. The study, published today in Nature Geoscience, reveals a key step in the origins of these […]

Read more about Research sheds new light on Moon rock formation solving major puzzle in lunar geology

Full moon against a dark black night sky

OU research finds the Moon’s crust is richer in water than previously thought

Dr Tara Hayden of The Open University (OU) has published research identifying, for the first time, the mineral apatite in a sample of early lunar crust, allowing for new insights into the water composition of the Moon. The research, published today in Nature Astronomy, offers exciting new evidence that the Moon’s early crust contained more […]

Read more about OU research finds the Moon’s crust is richer in water than previously thought

Page 8 of 56