OU News

News from The Open University

Five books with musical backdrops if you are inspired by the BBC Proms season 

Five books with musical backdrops if you are inspired by the BBC Proms season 

Are you enriched by the Proms season? Check out the five book choices of The Open University’s Dr Joanne Reardon, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing. These tales feature the melodious golden threads of music and musical instruments as varied as the BBC Proms itself. From classical and opera to jazz and folk, these intensely human […]

Read more about Five books with musical backdrops if you are inspired by the BBC Proms season 

A young woman wearing walking boots and a hat in front of mountains.

‘Carve your own path’, says graduate who started OU degree aged 15

Eileanoir from Ireland began studying with The Open University (OU) at just 15 years old. What started as a way to challenge herself whilst still at school, became her route into a role with a multinational start-up and a life of exploring the world. “I loved languages at school,” said Eileanoir, “but I didn’t feel […]

Read more about ‘Carve your own path’, says graduate who started OU degree aged 15

Olympic comedown’ is a common ailment after the games – here’s what it is and how athletes cope

Olympic comedown’ is a common ailment after the games – here’s what it is and how athletes cope

Helen Owton is Lecturer in Sport and Fitness in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies. Here she explains why athletes experience a ‘comedown’ after the Olympics.  “Comedown” is a term usually associated with withdrawal from stimulant drugs. But the feelings experienced by athletes are not so different. The high athletes get from their […]

Read more about Olympic comedown’ is a common ailment after the games – here’s what it is and how athletes cope

Three steps to talking to a loved one at risk of being radicalised into rioting

Three steps to talking to a loved one at risk of being radicalised into rioting

Psychologist and Post-Doctorial Researcher Dr Anthony English says there are ways you can identify if someone is at risk of being radicalised into rioting and three steps you can take that may help them think again. For some, the shocking scenes of violence which have erupted across dozens of locations in England and Northern Ireland […]

Read more about Three steps to talking to a loved one at risk of being radicalised into rioting

How a person’s accent might influence court cases

How a person’s accent might influence court cases

An Open University academic has conducted an intriguing test for the BBC’s Morning Live programme on how the accents of people in a courtroom might influence judges and juries. Lara Frumkin is a Professor of Psychology at the OU and conducted the test in a short film, one of six OU/BBC films made in co-production […]

Read more about How a person’s accent might influence court cases

Worried about someone you know becoming extreme in their political views? Academic research is here to help

Worried about someone you know becoming extreme in their political views? Academic research is here to help

In the wake of rioting far-right activists causing mayhem throughout the UK, The Open University is sharing research that could help someone worried about a family member or loved one participating in similar future events. The findings can help assess if someone has extreme views and is the result of an OU psychology team currently […]

Read more about Worried about someone you know becoming extreme in their political views? Academic research is here to help

Every-day extremism – the impact of small negative comments: academic opinion

Every-day extremism – the impact of small negative comments: academic opinion

An Open University academic who researches extremism ideologies plays a key role in a short film on the BBC’s Morning Live programme that features every-day extremism. It’s part of a series of six films made in partnership with The Open University and the BBC. Professor Kesi Mahendran (pictured) is a Professor of Social and Political Psychology at […]

Read more about Every-day extremism – the impact of small negative comments: academic opinion

The Open University picks up two prestigious teaching awards

The Open University picks up two prestigious teaching awards

The Open University is celebrating after discovering it has won two prestigious teaching awards run by Advance HE – one being an individual award and the other a team success. Advance HE is a member-led charity that works in collaboration with partners across the globe to improve higher education for staff, students and society. It has […]

Read more about The Open University picks up two prestigious teaching awards

Photo of a young woman with long dark hair, standing in front of a sea view.

‘Take that leap of faith and build your own future’

After years of torment from bullies, Shayda was forced to leave school before finishing her A Levels. With dreams of becoming a barrister, The Open University’s (OU) open entry policy allowed her to reclaim her education and take control of her future. Now, at 23, Shayda from Folkestone has just finished her first year of […]

Read more about ‘Take that leap of faith and build your own future’

OU historian provides timely expertise to Channel 4’s Britain Behind Bars

OU historian provides timely expertise to Channel 4’s Britain Behind Bars

The Open University’s Head of History Rosalind Crone recently shared her many years of research into prison history to help make Channel 4’s Britain Behind Bars: A Secret History. The series airing on Sunday evenings at 9pm on Channel 4, and available to watch in full on My4, follows barrister and TV personality Rob Rinder’s […]

Read more about OU historian provides timely expertise to Channel 4’s Britain Behind Bars

Page 17 of 235