OU News

News from The Open University

New Professor of Education, Policy and Practice

New Professor of Education, Policy and Practice

In 2018, there were only 25 Black women professors in the UK, compared to 12,500 white men (WHEN, Women’s Higher Education Network). Today, that number has risen to 74, with the promotion of Dr Carol Azumah Dennis, SFHEA, to Professor of Education, Policy and Practice, within The Open University’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language […]

Read more about New Professor of Education, Policy and Practice

person studying. image: Unseen Studio, Unsplash.

Reducing reoffending rates: Open University awarded UK government contract to provide education in secure environments across England and Wales

OU has been awarded a contract to continue delivering transformative HE education Education is a key aspect of rehabilitation to help end cycle of reoffending Evidence highlights the correlation between education and reducing reoffending The Open University (OU) will continue to deliver life-changing education to those serving in prisons, after successfully securing a new contract […]

Read more about Reducing reoffending rates: Open University awarded UK government contract to provide education in secure environments across England and Wales

red theatre chairs

Athol Fugard: the great South African playwright who captured what it means to be human

I was shocked to learn that the famous South African writer Athol Fugard had passed away. I had known his age to be 92 but somehow I never expected him to die. He was always a survivor, says Dennis Walder, Emeritus Professor of Literature at The Open University. When I think about Fugard, the first […]

Read more about Athol Fugard: the great South African playwright who captured what it means to be human

Criminologist’s joy that funding will highlight a dark part of Lancashire’s history

Criminologist’s joy that funding will highlight a dark part of Lancashire’s history

An Open University criminologist Dr David Scott could never have imagined that a walk in the park with his new rescued dog five years ago would lead to unearthing a massacre in Lancashire that the world forgot. Now, he’s just secured £170,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the bicentennial of a bloody […]

Read more about Criminologist’s joy that funding will highlight a dark part of Lancashire’s history

person looking in dark room. Image Vika Strawberrika, Unsplash.

Miscarriage bereavement leave: five things the Employment Rights Bill should consider

The Employment Rights Bill is going through the UK Parliament and is looking at workers’ rights as employees; to better protect them and ensure any changes improve these rights. Professor Jo Brewis leads a research team studying early pregnancy endings and the impact on people in the workplace. Her team welcomes the fact that the […]

Read more about Miscarriage bereavement leave: five things the Employment Rights Bill should consider

Dom, Andy, Sonia from Make it at Market (copyright Flabbergast TV Ltd/BBC)

Hobbyists unite in new series of TV’s Make it at Market

This week sees the return of the popular and award-winning series Make it at Market, which follows the fortunes of several keen entrepreneurs, hoping to turn their hobby into their livelihood. A new 15-part OU/BBC co-produced series will begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday March 3 on weekdays at 15:45 across three weeks.  […]

Read more about Hobbyists unite in new series of TV’s Make it at Market

BBC’s Forensics: The Real CSI shows the specialised work of police and forensic teams investigating a violent crime

BBC’s Forensics: The Real CSI shows the specialised work of police and forensic teams investigating a violent crime

The Open University has once again teamed up with the BBC for another episode of Forensics: The Real CSI that shows the work of police forensic teams investigating a woman’s death. The episode, titled ‘Murder in a Brothel’, airs at 9pm on Sunday, 2 March, on BBC Two and iPlayer, and will be available on […]

Read more about BBC’s Forensics: The Real CSI shows the specialised work of police and forensic teams investigating a violent crime

Radio series Rare Earth returns for a new season

Radio series Rare Earth returns for a new season

Tune in weekly from today (Friday 28th February) to listen to the OU/BBC radio series, Rare Earth, return for its fourth season hosted by environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski. Listeners can tune in live on Fridays at 12pm or listen later through BBC Sounds. The new series takes us from the deepest […]

Read more about Radio series Rare Earth returns for a new season

OU appoints new Executive Dean for Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

OU appoints new Executive Dean for Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

The Open University (OU) is delighted to welcome Professor Michael Fernando who will be taking over as the university’s Executive Dean for Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in April 2025. Professor Fernando joins the OU from his most recent role as Dean of the School of Engineering and Computing at the University […]

Read more about OU appoints new Executive Dean for Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Students offered the opportunity to win a MacBook

Students offered the opportunity to win a MacBook

Students from The Open University and beyond are being given the opportunity from Santander to win one of ten MacBooks to assist in their studies. The computers are available in a prize draw being offered by Santander Universities, a global philanthropic organisation working in the higher education sector. Any UK student aged 18 or over, […]

Read more about Students offered the opportunity to win a MacBook

Page 4 of 235