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News from The Open University

From Achilles to Hilary Benn: what Homer might have thought of the Syria air strikes debate

From Achilles to Hilary Benn: what Homer might have thought of the Syria air strikes debate

When David Cameron, the UK prime minister, stood up to speak before colleagues in the British parliament on Wednesday to argue in favour of air strikes on Syria, he was initiating a political activity – debate – that’s familiar to all democratic societies. He was also stepping into a role that stretches all the way […]

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OU classicist recognised as “one of the leading Hellenists of her generation”

OU classicist recognised as “one of the leading Hellenists of her generation”

Laura Swift, lecturer in classical studies at The Open University, has been awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize for her research. This prestigious award is one of the highest honours in academic research and is awarded by The Leverhulme Trust to only 30 individuals each year across a range of academic disciplines. Dr Swift received the award […]

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Students taking part in learning exercise

New teaching and learning trends revealed in OU’s annual study

The OU’s Innovating Pedagogy Report takes a look into the crystal ball to see how tomorrow’s teaching and learning practices could change education. It’s compiled annually by The Open University and this year was created in conjunction with SRI International, the US-based research institute. The report highlights the top 10 trends which it predicts will have the most […]

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Elderly woman looking out of a window. Image credit: Thinkstock

How much of the new state pension will you get?

The new state pension is being introduced in April 2016 but consumer research shows many people are confused by their entitlements. Research commissioned on behalf of the Open University Business School’s (OUBS) dedicated research centre, The True Potential Centre for the Public Understanding of Finance (True Potential PUFin), found that 45% of employees (40% of […]

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Exoplanet

Twin civilisations? How life on an exoplanet could spread to its neighbour

Imagine two nearby exoplanets orbiting the same sun, each with its own indigenous civilisation. They’re going through history either as companionable neighbours or deadly rivals. This is a familiar situation in science fiction, but could it ever happen? With the rapidly growing number of habitable exoplanets being discovered, this scenario may seem plausible. Now a […]

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New guidance challenges myths on sex and relationships for young people with limited lifespans

Assistance for supporting young people with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions who want to explore their sexuality and develop relationships is offered to practitioners in a new comprehensive OU-published guide in partnership with the charity Together for Short Lives. The publication, launched this week, gives guidance and standards for health, social care and education practitioners who […]

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Can Christmas tree lights really play havoc with your Wi-Fi?

Can Christmas tree lights really play havoc with your Wi-Fi?

Before we all declare that this is a bit of “Bah Humbug!”, it’s correct that your Christmas fairy lights really could be a Wi-Fi downer. But then so could many other devices. Ultimately, it is a matter of how much of a problem they actually cause. The science behind the warning Casting your minds back […]

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Davis Cup

Will Davis Cup victory spur on a new generation of British tennis stars?

After a 79-year wait, Great Britain’s Davis Cup win was an emotional day for the country’s tennis fans, players and, in particular, Andy Murray. Having won all eight of his singles matches in the tournament – a record that matches the likes of John McEnroe and Mats Wilander – he was instrumental in ensuring victory. […]

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Asking whether porn causes sexual violence is the wrong question

Asking whether porn causes sexual violence is the wrong question

­ The idea that pornography causes – or is at least linked to – sexual violence is often simply accepted without question. We hear the association in court cases, political debate and media coverage of crimes, where the connection is often implied just by listing the kinds of pornography a defendant has watched, if not made […]

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OU welcomes focus on part-time study in Spending Review

OU welcomes focus on part-time study in Spending Review

On Wednesday, the Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement and Spending Review, setting out the Government’s spending priorities over the next five years. This includes cuts to most central government departments, including BIS. Although The Open University receives the majority of its funding through student fees, direct government funding for certain activities is nonetheless an important […]

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