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News from The Open University

A more varied diet would help the world’s economy as well as its health

A more varied diet would help the world’s economy as well as its health

More than 75% of the food consumed in the world today comes from just 12 plant and five animal species, says Professor of Environment and Development at The Open University Shonil Bhagwat, and Emmanuel Junior Zuza from the Royal Agricultural University. The over-dependence on this small selection, which includes rice, maize and wheat, damages the […]

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We did it again! OpenLearn celebrates milestone in access to free learning

We did it again! OpenLearn celebrates milestone in access to free learning

We’ve hit a million again! That’s the amount of free course enrolments The Open University’s OpenLearn platform has clocked up over the past 12 months. Additionally, the number of people actually registered with OpenLearn has reached an outstanding four million and that includes almost half a million new accounts. But that’s not the only achievement. […]

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JWST observations of the transit of a super-earth exoplanet revealed hints of a sulphur-rich atmosphere

JWST observations of the transit of a super-earth exoplanet revealed hints of a sulphur-rich atmosphere

Researchers, including academics from The Open University (OU) have discovered a possible sulphur-rich atmosphere of exoplanet L 98-59 d, signalling possible volcanoes on its surface. The study, which has been undertaken using observations from NASA’s James Webb Telescope (JWST) has been published in two papers in The Astrophysical Journal. Experts observed one transit of the […]

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Professor Tim Blackman steps down as Vice-Chancellor at The Open University

Professor Tim Blackman has today announced that he is stepping down from his role as Vice-Chancellor at The Open University earlier than planned so that he can focus on his cancer treatment. The decision was confirmed this morning in an email to colleagues at the University from Chair Malcolm Sweeting, who had previously shared news […]

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Photo of a young woman in a flamboyant costume, preparing to dance on stage.

‘OU courses are so flexible – I studied from the middle of the ocean!’

When Charlotte, 28, from Aberdeen was looking to embark on a degree to unlock future career options, she searched for a solution that would fit around her work as a professional dancer. Now a proud BSc (Hons) Open Degree graduate with The Open University (OU), Charlotte has already taken the next step with her studies […]

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Lack of budget and technical skills holding UK businesses back from improved productivity

Lack of budget and technical skills holding UK businesses back from improved productivity

As the UK grapples with stagnant productivity growth, a new report from The Open University reveals that one in four businesses (27%) believe productivity has declined over the past five years, reflecting broader concerns ahead of the upcoming Budget.  The report, based on a YouGov survey of over 500 UK businesses, uncovers a disconnect in […]

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A new report calls for better support for people experiencing early pregnancy endings in the workplace

A new report calls for better support for people experiencing early pregnancy endings in the workplace

New research into early pregnancy endings is calling on employers to adopt more inclusive and supportive policies for those experiencing pregnancy endings in the workplace. Authored by Professor Jo Brewis from The Open University, with colleagues from the OU, the University of Essex, University of Plymouth, UCL and Aston University, the report found that many […]

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Reeves’ predicted fiscal caution is actually the start of a more radical strategy

Reeves’ predicted fiscal caution is actually the start of a more radical strategy

Alan Shipman is an Open University Senior Lecturer in Economics, with a macroeconomic accounting focus. Here he points out how challenging it will be for the Chancellor to produce a Budget that will please two different camps in her own party… but it’s all part of a bigger plan. Rachel Reeves is seeking to re-embed […]

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The Open University welcomes two new Entrepreneurs in Residence

The Open University (OU) is thrilled to announce the addition of two new Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) who will work with the university to help aspiring business owners. IT and Telecoms entrepreneur, Ben Partridge, and Scottish entrepreneur and investor Russell Dalgleish join a dynamic group of business professionals bringing a wealth of experience and expertise […]

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The Queen’s death provoked revealing study about crowd behaviour and ‘Britishness’

The Queen’s death provoked revealing study about crowd behaviour and ‘Britishness’

Research on the public mourning after the Queen’s death offers new insights on how groups or crowds of people with a shared identity – in this case ‘Britishness’ – navigate periods of change and uncertainty. Psychologists from multiple universities across the UK including Keele University and The Open University probed how those who queued to […]

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