The Open University

Is there a new volcano on Hawaii?

27 June 2018

Kilauea, the most active volcano on Hawaii, has been in continual eruption since 1983. It entered a new phase in early May when fractures along a rift on the eastern side of the volcano opened during a series of earthquakes – some of which became volcanic fissures from which lava was erupted. These fissures allowed […]

Will a pill be enough to end the HIV epidemic?

27 June 2018

The People vs the NHS: Who Gets the Drugs? on BBC2 at 9pm on Wednesday 27 June, is an Open University and BBC co-production, following the incredible story of the battle for HIV drug pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, on the NHS. People at very high risk for HIV take PreP daily to lower their chances of getting infected […]

Dangerous climate change is likely, concludes OU research

25 June 2018

Research by scientists at The Open University reveals that sensitive regions of the world are still at risk from the dangerous and potentially irreversible effects of climate change; even if we meet the target of not increasing global temperature above 1.5°C over the next 100 years. The research, which reviewed the targets set in the 2015 Paris […]

A hard Brexit is looking increasingly likely – according to behavioural economics

25 June 2018

Gloomy forecasts for the post-Brexit economy, and a psychological tendency to gamble rather than accept certain losses, may boost public support for a giant leap away from the EU – despite the fact that most experts are advising a cautious small step. Parliamentary rebels have tempered their demands for a vote on the final Brexit […]

Lords launch of Institute of Coding

22 June 2018

Open University (OU) academics were among the 200 guests at the formal launch at the House of Lords of the Institute of Coding (IoC) – a consortium, with a mission to develop the next generation of digital talent. Working with the IoC , the OU will bring together the worlds of academia and industry with […]

The Open University Social Media Engagement Team receives its 'Not for Profit / Charity Content Campaign of the Year 2018 award

Award makes it a hat-trick for OU Social Media Engagement Team

22 June 2018

Social media experts at the OU chalked up another win at the UK Content Awards 2018 in London. The Social Media Engagement Team, part of the Communications Unit, won its third national award of the academic year for the #BrainteaserMonth campaign, which ran throughout January 2018 and involved challenges, puzzles, and dilemmas set exclusively by OU […]

Abortion ban in Northern Ireland likely to worsen mental health crisis

21 June 2018

Northern Ireland is one of only two regions in Europe where abortion effectively remains illegal (Malta being the other). This is a confirmed breach of human rights – one that threatens to deepen the mental health crisis of women in Northern Ireland. Abortion is not allowed in Northern Ireland unless the life of the mother […]

Happy Birthday NHS! Three OU/BBC programmes mark 70th anniversary

20 June 2018

Thursday 5 July marks the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service, one of the nation’s best loved institutions. To celebrate this milestone and the vital role it plays in our lives, the OU and the BBC have co-produced three programmes that showcase the NHS’ achievements and debate its future. NHS at 70 – Live NHS […]

The Open University's Michael Young Building in Milton Keynes

Dr Devendra Kodwani appointed Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law

20 June 2018

Dr Devendra Kodwani has been appointed Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at The Open University. He joined the Open University in 2004 as a Lecturer in Finance and led the development of the triple-accredited MBA programme at the university. Strengthen presence and reach new audiences Dr Kodwani said: “I am honoured […]

OU student who battled against the odds is Wales’ Adult Learner of the Year

19 June 2018

An OU in Wales student who was mocked at school and reached his mid-30s having never read a book received the Life Change and Overall Winner of the Year awards at this year’s Inspire! Adult Learning Awards. Cardiff-born John Spence was bullied at school because he couldn’t read, and by the time he left aged […]

OU News