The Open University

Pivotal moment for humanity as the threats and opportunities from climate tipping points accelerate

6 December 2023

The world has reached a pivotal moment as threats and opportunities from climate system tipping points accelerate, a new report shows. A tipping point occurs when a small change sparks an often rapid and irreversible transformation, and the effects can be positive or negative. The Global Tipping Points Report – the most comprehensive assessment of […]

‘The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund takes us to places we never thought possible’

5 December 2023

With the amazing news that the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023 helped to raise £52,403 to enable disabled veterans access life-changing education, James Champion shares what it means to him to receive the Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship. Law student James, 50, made his childhood dream of becoming a helicopter pilot a reality while serving […]

Image of a hand with a gold pen signing a document. The document being signed is the same-sex marriage regulations for Northern Ireland

Invaluable new resource aims to unlock the mysteries of delegated legislation

5 December 2023

Professor Stephanie Pywell, Professor of Law and Social Justice at The Open University, and Dr Tom West on behalf of the Hansard Society have joined forces to create an invaluable resource aimed at explaining one of the most significant, yet often overlooked, forms of legislation in the United Kingdom. Titled “Delegated Legislation: What types are […]

Destruction of Ukrainian heritage: why losing historical icons can leave a long shadow

4 December 2023

The Open University’s Professor of Philosophy Derek Matravers discusses how the destruction of historical artefacts and buildings currently being experienced by Ukraine can have a profound affect. Destruction of Ukrainian heritage is happening on a scale not seen there since World War II, a report published by the journal, Antiquity, has claimed. The report lists […]

Lloyds of London archives show how important the City was to the transatlantic slave trade

1 December 2023

Katie Donington is a Senior Lecturer in Black, Caribbean and African History, and here she talks about how the archives owned by Lloyds of London show the City’s connection to slavery. In 1783, the City of London was gripped by a court case which symbolised the brutal economics of slavery. Two years previously, the Liverpool […]

Menopause and ethics expert receives accolade from The Open University

30 November 2023

An expert in women’s reproductive and post-reproductive health has been awarded an honorary degree by The Open University (OU). Among hundreds of published works by Professor Margaret Rees are more than 20 textbooks – several of which have gone on to win awards from the British Medical Association. In accepting the award Professor Rees said: […]

Understanding the science behind UK droughts

29 November 2023

The Environment Agency’s Chief Scientist Group has released a groundbreaking report, supported by an Open University (OU) academic, setting out current research and scientific understanding of drought in the UK. For the first time, this report sets out a holistic view of our understanding of drought, its multiple causes, and current and future impacts on […]

COP28: inside the United Arab Emirates, the oil giant hosting 2023 climate change summit

29 November 2023

Emilie Rutledge, The Open University and Aiora Zabala, The Open University The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the world’s seventh largest oil producer, will host the 28th UN climate change summit (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to December 12. Presiding over the conference will be the chief executive of the UAE state-owned oil company Adnoc, […]

Young woman standing in front of a building

‘The biggest benefit of the OU is that I can earn whilst I learn’

27 November 2023

Kianna, 22 from Milton Keynes, chose to study with The Open University (OU) so that she could gain a degree in a more affordable way. Because of the flexibility of the OU, Kianna could continue her part-time role and remain living at home with her parents, which meant she no longer needed multiple loans to […]

Behind the scenes OU/BBC co-production with performance artist Kae Tempest

27 November 2023

English literature academic Professor Nicola J Watson has worked behind the scenes on an Open University/BBC co-production about the acclaimed rapper, poet, playwright and recording artist Kae Tempest. She brought her knowledge of the history of performance poetry to the programme, “Being Kae Tempest”, which will be aired on BBC Two at 9pm on Wednesday […]

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