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News from The Open University

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

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

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 […]

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

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

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 […]

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

OU academics review 2016 budget statement

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

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

OU committed to supporting Armed Forces

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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Planet Mars

How the ExoMars mission could sniff out life on Mars – and what to do next

“It (could be) life Jim, but (perhaps) not as we know it.” This is not just a sci-fi catchphrase, but also something some planetary scientists have uttered in response to the discovery of methane in Mars’ atmosphere. That’s right – scientists believe that some kind of past or present microbial lifeform on Mars could have […]

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

‘Towering figure’ and former OU Chancellor, Asa Briggs, dies

The OU is sad to hear of the passing of Asa Briggs, who served as the Chancellor of The Open University from 1978 to 1994. He died today (15 March) at his home in Lewes, aged 94. He played a significant role in the development of the University and remained a great friend and supporter […]

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Ankara, Turkey

Bombing in Ankara: who is fighting who in Turkey?

Hours after Ankara was rocked by the second bomb attack in less than three weeks, killing at least 37 people and injuring 70 others, Turkish jets bombed PKK bases in the Qandil mountains deep inside the Kurdish region of Iraq. Turkish security officials told reporters that two suspects in the bombing had ties to the […]

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Social worker Emma Govan at The Open University Degree Ceremony at Edinburgh's Usher Hall

‘So proud to be a social worker’

The OU has been training social workers for over 18 years with 300 people graduating in the field each year. To celebrate World Social Work Day today, a social work student and graduate reflect on their journeys into the profession. ‘Passionate about my career’ Emma Govan (pictured above) graduated from the OU in 2014 and has been […]

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Tributes pour in for Professor Doreen Massey

Tributes pour in for Professor Doreen Massey

It was with great sadness that colleagues and students heard the news that Doreen Massey, Emeritus Professor in the Social Sciences Faculty, died on Friday 11 March.  Doreen was an eminent and pioneering intellectual, who received many awards and accolades at the highest level throughout her career. Doreen developed an understanding of social space as […]

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ExoMars Mission 2016, EDM and TGO separation

On a mission to Planet Mars

Establishing whether the planet Mars has ever supported life is one of the great unanswered questions of modern science. On Monday 14 March 2016, the European Space Agency (ESA) will be launching its ExoMars Mission to investigate the environment of the Red Planet. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), which is due to launch from […]

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