The Open University

Innovative, modern and impactful: The OU Library wins information literacy award

13 May 2019

The Open University Library’s Live Engagement Team has won the information literacy award at the LILAC annual conference. The team teaches information literacy (IL) skills through online training sessions, podcasts, Facebook live and other methods. The award recognized their excellence in developing OU students’ skills in an innovative way. Going above and beyond The judging […]

Open University and colleges extend Functional Skills partnership

13 May 2019

Free Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English are now being offered by The Open University in partnership with local Further Education Colleges. 12,000 people have already accessed the OU’s Level 1 Functional Skills free course materials in Maths and English since they were launched in February 2019. Functional Skills are part of the […]

Globalisation was rife in the 16th century – clues from Renaissance paintings

10 May 2019

Leah Clark, The Open University,writing for The Conversation. For many, the Renaissance was the revival or “rebirth” of Western classical antiquity, associated with great artists painting the Sistine Chapel and the invention of the printing press in Europe. These local, European phenomena seem rather parochial compared to today’s world, where a hashtag on Instagram connects […]

OU students’ guide to beating writer’s block

9 May 2019

Writing can be fulfilling and frustrating in equal measure. When you’re in full flow and the ideas keep coming, it feels great and you never want to stop. But many of us have experienced the opposite of this: drought. When the words dry up and all you have is a blank page (or screen) with […]

How technology changed music: Nick Mason presents BBC World Service series

8 May 2019

A new landmark nine-part OU/BBC series on the BBC World Service, A History of Music in Technology continues on Saturday mornings, through to June 22nd. Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason presents the series, charting the history of music and technology and exploring the world of legendary artists, producers, engineers and inventors. The series shines a light […]

The Open University appoints new Vice-Chancellor

8 May 2019

The Open University has appointed Professor Tim Blackman as its next Vice-Chancellor who will take up his new role on the 1 October. Professor Blackman is currently Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and has served in this role since July 2015. Prior to Middlesex University, he was Acting Vice–Chancellor at The Open University and previously Pro […]

From prisoner to OU student and staff member

7 May 2019

Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski’s story shows exactly how life-changing education can be. His journey has taken him from a prisoner, to an OU student and now to an OU member of staff supporting the Students in Secure Environments team. Stephen first began studying for his BSc in Social Science with The Open University while he was in […]

To the moon and back – OU student Hannah on breaking boundaries

6 May 2019

Hannah Sargeant spends her days exploring the universe. As a planetary scientist and PhD researcher at The Open University, Hannah, 26, is fulfilling her childhood dream by researching all corners of the solar system. During her career, Hannah has been involved with international research projects to support a series of missions to the Moon, ultimately supporting future […]

Shooting for the stars (and beyond)

5 May 2019

How did the planets in our solar system come to be? This is just one of the questions PhD student Vincent Deguin, 28, and his fellow planetary scientists at The Open University are exploring. Vincent is working on pioneering research into the earliest stage of planet formation, building and testing equipment that will help to […]

From the West End to the OU – how study set Karena on a new path

4 May 2019

As an Open University student turned Associate Lecturer, Karena Serdecka-Rhodes-Bell understands first-hand how education can help to open new doors. Karena previously worked as a professional actress, singer and musician, performing in the West End and on TV, film and radio, before her OU psychology degree inspired her to become an OU Associate Lecturer. “I […]

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