The Open University

Brexit, academic freedom and where the law stands on universities being quizzed about what they teach

26 October 2017

It started with a letter. A seemingly simple request for information, sent by the Conservative MP Chris Heaton-Harris to university vice-chancellors. But you don’t even have to read between the lines before alarm bells start to ring, because in the letter, Heaton-Harris requests access to university course documents as well as the names of professors […]

Harvey Weinstein, Sexual Harassment and 21st Century Living

25 October 2017

Senior lecturer in psychology Lisa Lazard writes about sexual harassment and today’s society: Over the last year, the topic of sexual harassment seems rarely out of the news. The case of Harvey Weinstein is the most recent in a series of high profile sexual harassment cases that have been brought to public attention in 2017. In reverse […]

#Iwas social media campaign wins UK award

19 October 2017

A campaign celebrating the OU’s diverse student community won a UK-wide social media award. The #Iwas campaign was announced as winner of the Best Audience Engagement Campaign category in the UK Social Media Communications Awards, 2017. The campaign drew on the experience of the OU’s broad depth of students and alumni who took to social media […]

Age is no barrier to OU success as new graduates prove

13 October 2017

From age 18 to 81, this year hundreds of our students – at all stages of life – have celebrated achieving their degrees. The wide range of ages shows the OU welcomes everyone to study, at any age and time of life. Teenager celebrates degree Among the delighted graduates this year was 18-year-old Imran Nasim from […]

The real casualty of the 2012 tuition fees shake-up? Mature and part-time learners

12 October 2017

This blog was authored by Vice-Chancellor, Peter Horrocks, and originally published on Universities UK We are at a rare moment in politics where the concerns of students have been thrust to the forefront of national debate I welcome the prime minister’s review of university funding because, amid the sound and fury of party politics, […]

Five vital things you can’t do properly when you’re on your phone

12 October 2017

In a recent RAC survey, 26% of UK 1,700 motorists reported using a handheld mobile phone while driving, despite it being illegal. In response, road safety charity Brake, argued that society’s phone “addiction” can have very serious consequences. A quick online search throws up many articles suggesting that people are “glued” to their smartphones and […]

Why asking what causes autism is the wrong question

11 October 2017

The animal rights charity PETA recently made a link between autism and drinking cow’s milk. The article on its website discussed research that linked a diary-free diet with a reduction in symptoms of autism in children. The charity cited two particular research projects which suggest a link between drinking cow’s milk and autism. It was […]

Seven simple ways to support colleagues with mental health issues

10 October 2017

This article was authored by Matt Georges – one of our inspirational graduates who recently achieved his degree in Economics and Mathematical Sciences, aged 38. Some years ago, while discussing my depression with a senior manager, I was described by them as being “broken”. I knew they meant to be sympathetic, but it showed me […]

Explainer: what you need to know about Catalonia

9 October 2017

Expert in Spanish Politics, Dr Georgina Blakeley, who is Director of Teaching (Politics) at The Open University, explains the background to Catalonia’s calls for independence, which in recent weeks have rarely been out of the headlines, as a referendum and rallies showed the turmoil of a divided nation. About Catalonia Catalonia is a region in the […]

Take a first step into distance learning: free online course with BBC Learning English

9 October 2017

Want to be a distance learner? Don’t know where to start? The OU has teamed up with BBC Learning English to provide a free 10-week online course to teach you how to become a pro. Go the Distance includes animations, explainers, support from academics on writing techniques and interviews with students about their experiences of distance […]

OU News