The Open University

Mount Etna: volcano is sliding towards the sea and now we know why

11 October 2018

The southeast flank of Mount Etna in Sicily is sliding towards the sea at a rate of several centimetres a year. This might not sound like much, but the kind of stress that this movement creates inside volcanoes can cause devastating landslides. If, one day, Etna’s movement significantly increases then it could have serious consequences. […]

New to the OU? Here’s 8 tips to set you up for study

10 October 2018

As new students open their Open University books and start learning with us, we asked our Instagram community to share their advice for anyone beginning with the OU. They’ve given us some top tips to help you get off on the right foot: 1. Don’t Doubt Yourself It can feel overwhelming when you start getting […]

How to manage the digital-related stress of technology

9 October 2018

How can we avoid the stress and anxiety associated with the digital age? Dr Gini Harrison and Dr Mathijs Lucassen give us five tips. In a related article on the dark side of technology, we explored how research is starting to show that smartphone and multimedia use is related to anxiety and poor cognitive function. So, what can […]

Exomoons: astronomers report first ever discovery

8 October 2018

In Star Wars VI we first meet the Ewoks living on the Forest Moon of Endor. The planet Endor itself is a gas giant, but the Forest Moon is a habitable world, peopled by small furry sentient creatures. While we may not be living in the Star Wars universe, astronomers have now found the first […]

Campaigner and Activist Lucy Watts MBE receives honorary Masters

2 October 2018

ome Campaigner and activist Lucy Watts MBE has been awarded an honorary Masters from The Open University for her commitment to public services. Lucy Watts lives with a life-limiting condition and draws on her own experiences of disability to improve the lives of other people grappling with severe illness. She is determined not only to […]

New Research Study into Coupledom in Later Life

2 October 2018

As we celebrate the International Day of Older People on October 1st, researchers at The Open University are embarking on a study into one of the major worries for older couples- becoming separated if one of them has to go into a care home. The study, titled ‘Coupledom in later life: living together and apart’, […]

OU scientists feature in Radio 4 Life Scientific book

28 September 2018

Three Open University scientists, including the late Professor Colin Pillinger, are among a select group to feature in a new book based on the popular BBC Radio 4 series The Life Scientific. The three OU scientists are: Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Hazel Rymer (and Professor of Environmental Volcanology), Professor in Planetary Sciences Monica Grady, the late […]

Richard Gillingwater steps down as Open University Pro-Chancellor

27 September 2018

Professor Mary Kellett, the acting Vice-Chancellor of The Open University has thanked Richard Gillingwater for his contributions to the University as his tenure as Pro-Chancellor approaches its end. “The Pro-Chancellor is a key role for the OU. The Pro-Chancellor also leads the University’s Council providing valuable guidance and oversight. I am grateful to Richard for […]

New research explores how migration fosters growth in Africa

25 September 2018

In recent years there’s been significant growth in African economies driven by trade in commodities, which has prompted more migrants to move to, and within, African countries. Now, new research from The Open University will investigate what impact this migration has had both on growth in Africa and in the migrants’ countries of origin, and […]

From first black graduate of The Open University to honorary doctorate

25 September 2018

“Education took me out of poverty,” says Elaine Sihera, the first black graduate of The Open University who has now been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the university at a degree ceremony in London. HUGE milestone in my life this morning…being conferred a doctor of the Open University. Very difficult to describe in words. Congrats […]

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