The Open University

Why the pensions ‘triple lock’ has become a key general election issue

2 May 2017

In the last Prime Minister’s Questions before the 2017 general election, Theresa May refused to guarantee the “triple lock” policy that guarantees pensions will rise in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5% – whichever is highest. It’s a contentious issue, as pensions make up a the biggest portion of the nation’s welfare budget. It’s also […]

Could an App replace a trip to the Doctor?

26 April 2017

With news of a healthcare smartphone app which could diagnose medical conditions and aid GP services, expert in digital healthcare Professor Shailey Minocha weighs up the pros and cons of technology becoming an integrated part of our wellbeing: Q. Can we trust our data with Apps such as this? “The app and underlying systems will […]

OU brings ‘Internet of Everything’ to everyone with free online course

26 April 2017

There has been considerable interest in the Internet of Things (IoT) recently, and whether connecting data, people, processes, and things is beneficial or a risk to data protection. Either way, the IoT is here to stay and our society needs to develop the skills to process the vast amounts of data being generated. The OU […]

Why exercise helps with mental health

19 April 2017

What impact does exercise have on mental health? Lecturer in Sport and Fitness at The Open University, Karen Howells, provides expert insight into why exercise could improve your mental health. Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness “We know exercise is good for us; physically it can prevent diseases such as diabetes and keep us […]

Saturn moon Enceladus is able to host life – it’s time for a new mission

13 April 2017

Ever since studies started suggesting that chemical reactions between water and rock on Saturn’s moon Enceladus could provide enough energy in the water to feed microbial life, scientists have been searching for proof that the right sort of reactions really do occur. And during its last dive through the icy plumes that Enceladus erupts into […]

‘Fundamental culture change’ needed to address skills shortage

13 April 2017

The Open University (OU) and The Association of Colleges (AoC) have come together to call for a national skills strategy, with long term investment and reform in adult education to address the skills crisis. The organisations want to work with the Government to shape adult learning across Further and Higher Education in England, and say […]

Selfie culture isn’t the root of all evil

12 April 2017

The idea that selfies are somehow damaging our mental health is spreading. There is concern that there may be a link between an apparent recent rise in mental health concerns in millennials and taking, editing and posting selfies online. The Open University’s Lisa Lazard and Rose Capdevila investigate if their popularity isn’t completely negative in […]

Doctor Who takes an ethical stance towards alien life – so why isn’t he vegan?

12 April 2017

Since the Doctor Who series was rebooted in 2005 the television show has consistently presented the Doctor as a moral leader, a key element of which is his respectful relationship with other species. The Doctor expresses admiration and wonder for others, even when they threaten him or his human companions. Christopher Eccleston, who played the […]

OU research highlights impact of early lectures on college and university students

11 April 2017

Research by the OU and the University of Nevada has discovered that productivity in students is much greater between the hours of 11:00am and 9:30pm than at other times of day. The study of 190 undergraduate students, which was published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, analysed individual study patterns to determine when cognitive […]

Barbican - photo courtesy of Claudia Rosani

Degree ceremonies offer chance for renewal, says OU VC

5 April 2017

The OU’s degree ceremonies have started in earnest, kicking off at London’s Barbican recently. Peter Horrocks, the OU’s Vice-Chancellor, shares his experiences and explains why they give an opportunity to both celebrate and strengthen our resolve… “They start off quietly. A few early birds arrive for the ceremony, nervously checking the logistics and where to get […]

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