OU News

News from The Open University

The choirmaster whose carols became the sound of Christmas

The choirmaster whose carols became the sound of Christmas

At 3pm on Christmas Eve, millions of radios around the world will be tuned to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College Chapel in Cambridge in time to hear the pure voice of a single boy chorister singing one of the hardest solos of the church calendar, the first verse of “Once […]

Read more about The choirmaster whose carols became the sound of Christmas

‘Twas millennia before Christmas

‘Twas millennia before Christmas

Who doesn’t love Christmas? The tree standing proud, adorned with baubles, lights, and surrounded by gifts; the radio singing festive songs, whilst the turkey slowly roasts in the oven; and the family gathered around the television with the grandparents eagerly awaiting the Queen’s Christmas Speech. Where did it all begin? Reader in British History at […]

Read more about ‘Twas millennia before Christmas

Star Wars: Talk like Yoda

Star Wars: Talk like Yoda

How does Star Wars’ Yoda structure a sentence? And how does it differ to the way we tend to speak in contemporary English? This one minute film presented by Fernando Rosell-Aguilar, Senior Lecturer in Languages at The Open University, breaks down the mechanics of Yoda speech in this crash course on speaking Yodish. For more Open […]

Read more about Star Wars: Talk like Yoda

Methane emissions in Arctic cold season higher than expected

Methane emissions in Arctic cold season higher than expected

A major new study has found that, contrary to previous assumptions, the Arctic tundra releases at least as much methane during its cold season as it does during the summer.  The study led by San Diego State University (SDSU) found that far more methane is escaping from Arctic tundra during the cold months when the […]

Read more about Methane emissions in Arctic cold season higher than expected

Coping with depression and the Christmas blues

Coping with depression and the Christmas blues

For many, this time of year isn’t always full of glad tidings and joy. Open University Psychologist, Professor Darren Langdridge talks about the Winter blues, practical ways to manage your mood, and how to deal with the expectations many have around Christmas time. Listen to Darren Langdridge’s podcast  

Read more about Coping with depression and the Christmas blues

“A load of hot air? The carbon footprint of the Paris climate conference’s Twitter deluge”

“A load of hot air? The carbon footprint of the Paris climate conference’s Twitter deluge”

I am sure that it has not escaped you that there was a major climate change conference taking place in Paris recently. I won’t become embroiled in the climate debate, as everyone has an opinion. But I am interested in (or is it hot air) at events such as this — when they are shared […]

Read more about “A load of hot air? The carbon footprint of the Paris climate conference’s Twitter deluge”

Space exploration – inspiring the next generation

Space exploration – inspiring the next generation

Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences, Monica Grady, drafted this letter in response to the article “Boldly Gone”, which was published in The Times on Friday 18 December 2015. Sir, It was my privilege to be in Baikonur to observe Major Tim Peake’s launch into space— not just another European Space Agency astronaut, but the first from the UK. I […]

Read more about Space exploration – inspiring the next generation

The free speech battle that forced Britain’s 18th-century radicals to flee

The free speech battle that forced Britain’s 18th-century radicals to flee

Main picture: “The Friends of the People”, Isaac Cruikshank (1764–1811), Mary Mark Ockerbloom While emigration into Britain has often been (and still is) associated with fear of oppression and escape from conflict, there is a general perception that emigration out of the country has been a rather more positive pursuit. Leaving Britain has long been associated […]

Read more about The free speech battle that forced Britain’s 18th-century radicals to flee

Do you speak Star Wars?

Do you speak Star Wars?

Main image: Mark Menzies, CC BY-NC-SA Unless you are C3-PO, fluent in more than six million forms of communication, you may not understand every Star Wars language. I’m not talking about the languages spoken in the saga such as Shyriiwook, Huttese, Bocce or even Binary (beep beep doop!), but the languages into which the Star Wars […]

Read more about Do you speak Star Wars?

How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force

How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force

Main image © 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. When I finally see the new Star Wars film, I will be keeping my ears open. Although the initial trilogy was justly celebrated for its use of groundbreaking visual effects, for me, the sound of the films has always been more significant. Even in the woeful prequel […]

Read more about How Star Wars music lets us feel the Force

Page 230 of 238