The Open University

Schiaparelli lander above the surface of Mars

What missing lander means for Europe’s quest to find life on Mars

20 October 2016

Researchers at the European Space Operations’ Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, had another one of those nervous days – waiting to hear first from a probe designed to land on Mars’ surface, and then from the probe’s orbiting mother ship. By the end of the day, the flight engineers and mission scientists were half satisfied – […]

University honours for actress Helen Griffin and campaigner Shahien Taj

19 October 2016

Two leading figures in Welsh culture and society have received honorary degrees from The Open University. Actress and comedian Helen Griffin, and charity leader and campaigner Shahien Taj, were honoured with the degree of Doctor of The Open University at a ceremony in Cardiff on Friday (14 October). The honorary graduates collected their doctorates alongside […]

glasses and book on background bookcase close up. Thinkstock

Meet the OU’s youngest ever law graduate

18 October 2016

Completing her degree at the age of just 18, Zahra Alidina is The Open University’s youngest ever law graduate. Zahra left school at the age of 13 to pursue law related subjects at GCSE and A-Level through home education. Completing her A-Levels at just 15, she found it difficult to get into traditional universities because […]

Dr Manish Patel in the OU's Hypervelocity Impact Lab.

Man on a mission: How OU academic launched a career in space

15 October 2016

Dr Manish Patel was inspired by space at a young age; venturing out in the middle of the night stargazing with his dad and his telescope. He studied an MPhys in Physics and Space Science at the University of Kent, more out of interest than as a career. After that, in what he describes as “a […]

OU honours campaigners of social equality

13 October 2016

The Open University has honoured independent filmmaker, Professor Franny Armstrong, and campaigner for social equality and justice, Ms Ceri Goddard, for their contribution to society by awarding each an honorary degree. Professor Franny Armstrong Professor Armstrong is one of the most important and innovative independent filmmakers in Britain. Her films focus on issues of public […]

ExoMars Schiaparelli Lander simulation on Mars

OU prepares for first successful landing on Mars

13 October 2016

Academics from the OU will be among those eagerly anticipating the first ever successful landing by European space scientists on Mars. The team of scientists from the OU are part of the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars Mission, which will discover if methane gas exists in the atmosphere and below the surface. This will help scientists […]

OU academic dispels the myths about autism

12 October 2016

What is autism? What causes it? Will there be and, indeed, should there be a cure for autism? Senior Lecturer in Psychology at The Open University (OU), Dr Ilona Roth, debunks the myths about the condition and explains how the latest research is changing our perception of autism… What is autism and what is the […]

Rear view of a thoughtful woman who tries to solve math problems. Math calculations on black chalk board. Thinkstock

Special award for inspiring OU professor who champions womens’ careers in maths

11 October 2016

A leading OU maths professor who has championed the career progression of women in maths in the UK is being recognised with a special award from the Suffrage Science Scheme at a ceremony at Bletchley Park on Ada Lovelace Day today (11 October). Professor Gwyneth Stallard OBE, Professor of Pure Mathematics in the OU’s Faculty […]

Prof Mark Fenton O'Creevy with Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner at the Gateshead Ceremony

Social learning specialist honoured at OU degree ceremony

11 October 2016

The Open University has honoured social learning theorist Dr Etienne Wenger-Trayner for his exceptional contribution to society by awarding him an honorary degree. A globally-recognised thought leader in the field of social learning theory, communities of practice and their application to organisations, Dr Wenger-Trayner’s work influences both theory and practice in a wide range of […]

OU backs report saying social mobility policy must embrace adult learners

10 October 2016

The Open University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Horrocks CBE welcomes a Universities UK report out on Monday October 10 calling for older learners to feature in government policy on social mobility. The new report says that to leave mature students out of the picture, when considering social mobility, risks effectively excluding a large proportion of the population. It states: […]

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