The Open University

Behind the numbers: should all over 60s be taking statins?

2 August 2017

There has been a flurry of media reports over new research from Harvard University suggesting that “almost all” men over 60 and women over 75 should be taking statins to reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack. The research explores the likelihood of people having a cardiovascular event across age ranges and aims to […]

If a brain can be caught lying, should we admit that evidence to court? Here’s what legal experts think

2 August 2017

A man is charged with stealing a very distinctive blue diamond. The man claims never to have seen the diamond before. An expert is called to testify whether the brain responses exhibited by this man indicate he has seen the diamond before. The question is – should this information be used in court? Courts are […]

Scientists find some of Mars’ youngest volcanoes – and discover they could have supported life

26 July 2017

4000 km wide view of Mars’ (colour-coded topgraphy) Coprates Chasma. NASA/USGS/ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G Neukum), CC BY-SA It may seem that Mars was once a much more exciting planet. True, there are dust storms and possible water-seeps occurring today, but billions of years ago it was a dramatic place with huge volcanoes, a giant canyon […]

Women’s Euro 2017 football tournament – all you need to know

26 July 2017

The summer of women’s sport takes to the football pitch with the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 competition getting underway on July 16. It will be the 12th women’s Euro tournament and is hosted by the Netherlands for the first time, who will launch proceedings with a match against Norway in Utrecht. A total of 47 […]

Statement from The Open University on policy regarding comprehensive U.S. sanctions

25 July 2017

The Open University reaches many thousands of international students and operates in numerous countries. Operating at this scale globally means that we are bound by laws in different jurisdictions, including the United States. The US has comprehensive sanctions in place against a number of countries, including Cuba, meaning that it is not lawful for organisations […]

Soapbox Science MK 2017: how to make a mountain and the stories seashells tell

24 July 2017

Science is all about furthering our understanding of ourselves, the planet, and the Universe. Two Female academics from the OU will be sharing their love of research with members of the public in Milton Keynes at Soapbox Science MK 2017. Lecturer in Environment, Earth, and Ecosystems Sciences, Dr Pallavi Anand, and PhD Researcher, Stacy Phillips, […]

Prejudice & Pride: The People’s History of LGBTQ Britain

24 July 2017

A new BBC/Open University co-production will take a look back at the 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality – from the perspective of the people who lived through them. Prejudice & Pride: The People’s History of LGBTQ Britain begins on Thursday 27 July, on BBC Four, at 9pm. In 1967 the Sexual Offences […]

Robots – friend or foe? New OU/BBC series explores the rise of the robots

19 July 2017

Are robots our companions or could they become our greatest rivals? In a special two-part series, electronics engineer, Professor Danielle George, and evolutionary biologist, Dr Ben Garrod, explore everything from driverless cars, to a robot destined to set up home for us on Mars. An obsession with robots in human form Produced in partnership with […]

Addicted Parents: Last Chance to Keep My Children

18 July 2017

Addicted Parents: Last Chance to Keep My Children is a new OU/BBC TV co-production telling the stories of residents at Phoenix Futures’ Specialist Family Service – the only family rehab in the UK, where children live with their addicted parents as they recover. These parents have six months to get clean or they will lose their […]

Research will study family relations impact on mental health of young LGBQ

13 July 2017

The OU is co-investigator on a new research project to examine the impact of family relationships on the mental health of young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ). Open University Professor Jacqui Gabb, Chair of Sociology and Intimacy, is co-investigator with Dr Elizabeth McDermott, a senior lecturer in Health and Medicine […]

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