The Open University

Rule change could support more prisoner learning

25 October 2019

Relaxing the regulations on student loans allowing more prisoners to learn could pay broad dividends, according to a policy paper from The Open University (OU) and Higher Education thinktank Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI). In a joint policy note published on Thursday October 24, the two organisations propose a change to the six-year rule, which […]

OU partners with Ministry of Education in Ghana to launch OpenSTEM Africa

24 October 2019

The Open University and the Ministry of Education in Ghana have launched a programme to promote the effective teaching of practical science in Senior High Schools. Open STEM Africa: Ghana, is aimed at improving practical teaching and learning of science and in particular providing support for under-qualified or inexperienced science teachers, in line with the government […]

“Education has changed my life”

13 October 2019

Mark began his journey with the OU whilst serving a life-sentence in prison. Through his studies he discovered a passion for learning and since his release has enabled him to turn his life around. Now he uses his own experiences to help other prisoners learn. We spoke to Mark to discover more about how the […]

How one NHS anaesthetist is fighting international medical research fraud

8 October 2019

Professor Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics at The Open University writes for The Conversation about fraud in medical research. John Carlisle is a consultant anaesthetist at Torbay Hospital on England’s south coast. Unless you’ve been one of his patients, you’ve probably never heard of him. But he’s a researcher too, and he’s developed statistical […]

OU probes new star mapping technology

4 October 2019

OU researchers have received £570,000 from the European Science Agency for the next phase of scientific devices for mapping stars and galaxies. Dr Nathan Bush and Dr Ben Dryer from the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, will use this funding to develop a new type of scientific device for space imaging applications, such […]

‘Studying with the OU helped me to realise my potential’

3 October 2019

Pauline registered with The Open University in its early days of inception. As a pioneer student, she has achieved a BA Hons Degree, an MSc and a Doctorate. Her career in Education has taken her across the world to Uganda – Pauline talks us through her journey. Although I spent my secondary education at a […]

If politicians are serious about tackling inequality they need to properly overhaul the tax system – here’s how

3 October 2019

Dr Hanna Szymborska, Lecturer in Economics at The Open University writes for The Conversation about inequality in the UK’s tax system. Inequality has shot to the top of the agenda across the political spectrum. Politicians, activists, and even billionaires increasingly call for more radical measures to tackle the problem. Britain’s Conservative government proclaimed the end to austerity in its […]

‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

2 October 2019

In 2014, Liz suffered a breakdown that grounded her life to a halt – she struggled to leave the house, and completing everyday tasks became impossible. Support from friends, counselling and baking helped ease the symptoms of anxiety. Liz went on to build her cake-making into a business, and today BuBakes has featured in numerous magazines […]

World Teachers’ Day – 5 tips for starting out in teaching

2 October 2019

On Saturday 5 October its World Teachers’ Day, and with this year’s theme of ‘Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession’ we thought we’d ask Dr Liz Chamberlain, Senior Lecturer in Education at The Open University to give her expertise as an ex-Assistant Headteacher to those venturing into the profession. Find your passion about teaching […]