The Open University

The Open University appoints new University Secretary

30 September 2015

Keith Zimmerman will be The OU’s new University Secretary. Currently Director, Students, Mr Zimmerman will be the fourth holder of the role since The OU was established and will replace Fraser Woodburn who is retiring. As University Secretary Mr Zimmerman will be responsible for the University’s governance, administration and operational management. He said: “I am […]

Oblique view of Phlegra Montes region of Mars showing remnant glacier and eskers. Credit: NASA

NASA: streaks of salt on Mars mean flowing water, and raise new hopes of finding life

30 September 2015

Salty streaks have been discovered on Mars, which could be a sign that salt water seeps to the surface in the summers. Scientists have previously observed dark streaks (see image above) on the planet’s slopes which are thought to have resulted from seeps of water wetting surface dust. Evidence of salts left behind in these […]

Floodlit rugby stadium. Image credit: Thinkstock

Siblings in the scrum: long history of brothers makes rugby a family affair

30 September 2015

It’s well known that family plays a key role in a child’s initial socialisation into sport and his or her continued participation. This family involvement is certainly evident on a Sunday morning at my local rugby club where siblings of both genders and all ages participate in a range of activities. Add to this the […]

Padlock and code showing cyber security. Image: Thinkstock

Hackers have finally breached Apple’s security but your iPhone’s probably safe (for now)

26 September 2015

Cyber security experts recently discovered that the almost impenetrable Apple App Store had been hacked. While cyber break-ins have become routine news for many companies, Apple has long prided itself on providing technology for its phones and tablets that was incredibly secure. This was done by controlling how developers – the people who create your […]

By extending the remit of PCCs, the government is playing with fire

25 September 2015

The UK government has proposed to extend the remit of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to cover other emergency services, including fire and rescue. The system has been called a “failed experiment” by the Independent Police Commission, and has continued to attract criticism since its inception in 2012. So why widen the remit of PCCs, […]

Refugees walking along with their belongings. Image credit:Thinkstock

OU and British Council ensure Syria’s refugees don’t leave education behind

25 September 2015

Classes set up by The Open University and The British Council are helping displaced Syrian refugees continue with their studies and develop new skills which will help with their resettlement. Around 3,000 Syrians and disadvantaged Jordanian students are accessing English, French and German lessons in Jordan and Lebanon and 300 of the highest achievers can progress […]

Is this the answer to ending extreme poverty?

16 September 2015

Internationally-renowned statistician Professor Hans Rosling asks whether it’s possible to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030 in a one-hour BBC programme made in partnership with The Open University. Don’t Panic: How to End Poverty in 15 Years considers whether the goal set by the United Nations (UN) of wiping out ‘extreme poverty’ for almost one billion people […]

CGI image of baby in a womb. Image credit: BDH for The BBC

The story of how human life is made

14 September 2015

100 Trillion cells. 280 days. One human life. The person you are was decided before you were even born. Countdown to Life: The Extraordinary Making of You is a fascinating new three-part BBC series produced in partnership with the OU, telling the thrilling story of how human life is made. The way you smile, the […]

People at a music concert. Image: Thinkstock

Why Ibiza club music at a classical concert is a clash we should embrace

12 September 2015

London’s Royal Albert Hall has seen a lot this summer: a performance of Beethoven’s Sixth from memory, a concert reflecting the supposed tastes of Sherlock Holmes, a concert telling the “Story of Swing” and Jarvis Cocker leading an “underwater dream” with music ranging from Echo & The Bunnymen to Debussy. But it was the Ibiza […]

Polluted host cities are putting our champion athletes at risk

10 September 2015

At the recent Athletic World Championships in Beijing, not only did the athletes have to train for heat and humidity, they were also faced with competing in one of the world’s most polluted cities. Unfortunately, coping with poor air quality is nothing new for the world’s top athletes. As the world looks forward to next […]

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