The Open University

Seven fails by drivers on hands-free mobiles

9 October 2017

Using hand-held mobile phones in cars is illegal for drivers, and many people have turned to using hands-free mobiles as a safe option – but there’s mounting evidence this is just as dangerous, with drivers using their phones four times more likely to crash. Psychology expert Dr Gemma Briggs has been studying the distraction of […]

Celebrating the success of our students on a global scale

6 October 2017

The OU is pleased to congratulate its students, who have achieved honours in a global undergraduate competition. The Undergraduate Awards (UA) Programme is the world’s largest international academic awards programme, and 27 OU students have achieved honours in the 2017 awards. The UA programme recognises innovation and excellence at undergraduate level. For the first time this […]

It’s time to modernise the UK’s road rules – but adding offences for cyclists is no place to start

4 October 2017

The UK is set to review the criminal laws and safety issues relating to cycling. This announcement came shortly after 20-year-old Londoner Charlie Alliston was found guilty on the little known charge of “wanton and furious driving”, having collided with 44-year-old pedestrian Amanda Briggs causing serious head injuries, which led to her death in 2016. […]

Private companies are launching a new space race – here’s what to expect

4 October 2017

The space race between the USA and Russia started with a beep from the Sputnik satellite exactly 60 years ago (October 4, 1957) and ended with a handshake in space just 18 years later. The handshake was the start of many decades of international collaboration in space. But over the past decade there has been […]

How a new orbital moon station could take us to Mars and beyond

2 October 2017

The dream of a human habitat in orbit about the moon came a step closer on September 27, when NASA and the Russian space agency (Roscosmos) signed up to a common vision for future human exploration. The project, a follow-up to the International Space Station (ISS), involves a facility placed in orbit somewhere between the […]

Barbican - photo courtesy of Claudia Rosani

OU honours digital entrepreneur for encouraging diversity in science and technology

29 September 2017

Digital entrepreneur, Lopa Patel, has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her contributions to encouraging diversity and inclusion in science and technology, and her wider impact on British culture, industry, and society. The OU presented Lopa Patel MBE with a Doctor of the University by Vice Chancellor, Peter Horrocks, at its recent Barbican […]

Students taking part in learning exercise

OU academic shortlisted for innovation in engineering and science

28 September 2017

Associate Director for Academic Professional Development (APD), Dr Anne Adams and her team, have been shortlisted for the WISE Tech Innovation Award 2017 for inspiring technological innovations. The WISE Awards 2017 recognises the outstanding contributions to gender balance in science, technology and engineering, of individuals and organisations. The entry submitted by the all-women team […]

Are big businesses creating a modern dystopia? New BBC series investigates

26 September 2017

Whether it’s using PayPal instead of cash, checking your iPhone constantly for emails, or using a Fitbit to track your steps, technologies have pervaded our daily lives in the last few decades and completely changed how we live. But is it all for the good? A new BBC series, co-produced by The Open University, investigates […]

India in Britain – celebrating a shared heritage

26 September 2017

A major touring exhibition based on research from the OU and the University of Exeter to celebrate the long history of the Indian presence in Britain and its impact on British life has been shortlisted for an Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Award 2018. “At the Heart of the Nation” exhibition is one of […]

Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed

OU/BBC documentary reveals the secrets of the human body

25 September 2017

In a landmark series, the BBC reveals the secrets of the human body and what biological and chemical processes support life. Produced in partnership with The Open University, Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed, will be broadcast on BBC Two on Monday 25 September 2017, 9pm. In this three-part series, doctors and presenters, Chris and […]

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