The Open University

Open University research drives new Pet Abduction law

27 September 2024

A landmark piece of legislation has come into force, recognising pet theft as a specific crime for the first time. The Pet Abduction Act 2024 aims to address the emotional distress experienced by stolen pets and their owners. The new law was informed by research conducted by Dr Helen Selby-Fell, Senior Lecturer in Policing Organisation […]

New study reveals lost world of diversity for rare and ancient marine animals

25 July 2024

A type of ancient and rare shelly marine animal, named brachiopods, had a dynamic and inventive past, but this did not turn into evolutionary success in terms of the numbers of species, researchers at The Open University (OU), University of Bristol, and the China University of Geosciences have found. The findings, published today in Nature […]

Statement regarding the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s ‘University Complicity Database’

20 June 2024

“We are aware of concerns regarding information published on the Palestine Solidarity Campaign website about OU investments. Since the end of 2023, we no longer hold any of the investments listed on the campaign’s website and our only remaining fund has a no weapons clause and does not own any banks.”

Head and shoulders shot of Rebekah facing the camera and smiling.

‘My OU scholarship makes me feel seen, valued and worth investing in’

13 June 2024

When Rebekah, 37, gave up her place at a campus university to care for her disabled son, she feared her academic aspirations would never be fulfilled. Now on course to achieve a Law degree, Rebekah shares how receiving The Open University Carers’ Scholarship allows her to study flexibly around the needs of her family, whilst […]

500 ‘diagnostic’ assessments!? Time to reflect

22 April 2024

Let me start with a story. Many years ago, I had a student who was struggling to get specialist support to meet his learning needs. He had dyslexia and was entitled to additional support paid for by government funding. Dyslexia was a topic skirted over in one of my degrees and so, as an Associate […]

Anushree wearing an orange space suit, dark glasses and headset carrying out research. There is a colleague wearing a similar suit and glasses in the background.

‘I became a doctor and landed my dream job on a NASA mission, thanks to the OU’

8 March 2024

As a teenager in India, Anushree became fascinated with space exploration but never imagined it was a career within her reach. On International Women’s Day, we’re thrilled to share Anushree’s inspiring story. Now a Postdoctoral Fellow helping NASA investigate whether there’s ever been life on Mars, Anushree reflects on her incredible journey and why it’s […]

Martyn standing outside an ornate building wearing an OU hoodie.

‘I’m starting a new career in Japan, thanks to the OU’

6 December 2023

Martyn, 34, was at a crossroads in his life when a spontaneous trip to Japan sparked a passion for language and culture that would transform his future. Martyn shares how Open University (OU) study opened the door to an exciting career and a new chapter overseas. A life-changing trip Martyn was working in retail, trying […]

Mercury: shrinking planet is still getting smaller – new research

3 October 2023

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences, The Open University: Planetary scientists have long known that Mercury has been shrinking for billions of years. Despite being the closest planet to the Sun, its interior has been cooling down as internal heat leaks away. This means that the rock (and, within that, the metal) of which it […]

OU research reveals shocking level of online violence experienced by women and girls across the UK

7 September 2023

Over one in 10 women in England have experienced online violence, while three in 10 women (30%) have witnessed online violence Seven in 10 (68%) believe that current legislation is ineffective at tackling online violence against women and girls in England One in eight (13%) of women in England who experienced online violence say this […]

Attorney General champions government legal career at Open University

18 July 2023

Diverse routes into law and how the work of government lawyers impacts all aspects of public life were themes discussed by the Attorney General as she spoke to the Open University’s law students. Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP, visited The Open University campus in Milton Keynes on Thursday July 13 part of the Law […]

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