The Open University

Who cares about Batman v Superman? Wonder Woman finally steals the show

30 March 2016

Batman v Superman: The Dawn of Justice has received a frosty critical reception, to say the least. Despite this, I found myself coming away from the cinema filled with hope. Certainly not for either of the titular characters – who have never been less inspiring. Instead, the future finally seems bright for superwomen. Although Wonder […]

Artist and Empire: a belated revisiting of our colonial history

29 March 2016

Artist and Empire, the major exhibition showing at Tate Britain, has been well received by art critics and audiences alike. Aiming to unite art and a reckoning with Britain’s imperial past, it is a noteworthy venture – but why has it taken so long for such a show to be hosted by a major British […]

Mature female student with books in library

Access to higher education: ‘it’s not just for 18-year-olds’

23 March 2016

The Government is on course to miss targets to open up access to higher education, according to new research. And “they cannot afford to focus their efforts solely on 18 year-olds.” The Government has ambitious targets for widening participation in by 2020. It aims to double the number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds going into Higher Education. But research by […]

Why child trafficking spikes after natural disasters – and what we can do about it

22 March 2016

When a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in April 2015, it killed well over 8,000 people and turned much of the country into a disaster zone. 17 days later, as recovery operations were getting established, a 7.3 magnitude quake caused further destruction. In the desolation, chaos and widespread panic that followed, a surge in child […]

The Open University Chancellor Asa Briggs addressing the audience at a graduation ceremony.

Asa Briggs on his secret passion for writing poetry

21 March 2016

Former OU Chancellor Asa Briggs will always be remembered as one of the most important historians in Britain, world-renowned for his work in social history, culture and communications and a ‘towering figure’ in the world of education. Much less well known is that he was also a writer of poetry. Just a fortnight before his […]

Woman opening her arms up in happiness on top of a mountain. Image credit: Thinkstock

How happiness is challenging GDP as the measure of a country’s health

21 March 2016

Denmark reclaimed its place as the happiest country in the world, according to the latest annual World Happiness Report. Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Finland followed in quick succession at the top, while Benin, Afghanistan, Togo, Syria and Burundi languished at the bottom. The nations that top the usual measure of a country’s health – its […]

Mars and me: a day in the life of a PhD student

18 March 2016

In the same week the European Space Agency (ESA) launched its ExoMars Mission, we spoke to OU PhD student Rhian Chapman about dust storms on the Red Planet and her fascination with space: the final frontier… Name: Rhian Chapman Age: 33 Hometown: Shepperton, Surrey What is the focus of your PhD and what stage are you […]

If we are not rich can we still be happy? OU academic investigates

17 March 2016

Rich beyond your wildest dreams, but does that make you happy? Professor Paul Anand argues that it is factors other than simply wealth which determine your happiness levels and to mark World Happiness Day this weekend he introduces the measurement concept and the value of flourishing. The latest findings of the World Happiness Report, were […]

Close up of female accountant or banker making calculations. Image credit: Thinkstock

OU academics review 2016 budget statement

16 March 2016

George Osborne today delivered his eighth budget as Chancellor. We spoke to two Open University academics with different areas of expertise to get their take on the headlines… Lecturer in finance Jonquil Lowe on how the budget might impact personal finances… Lecturer in economics Alan Shipman gives an overall summary of today’s budget statement… https://youtu.be/HTRuvF9YWxw

Mark Lancaster MP and Keith Zimmerman, University Secretary signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

OU committed to supporting Armed Forces

16 March 2016

The OU has underlined its commitment to the Armed Forces, pledging to continue supporting servicemen and women with access to flexible higher education. The university has a long-standing relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, with 2,000 serving members currently OU students. The university supports members of the Armed Forces into Higher Education, recognises the […]

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