The Open University

OU to lead a new era in planetary protection

25 July 2023

The Open University (OU) is to lead a UK consortium to develop a ground-breaking planetary protection approach that will enable the next generation of space missions. The primary aims of planetary protection are to ensure that: scientific investigations of possible extra-terrestrial life forms, precursors, and remnants are not put at risk during planetary space missions; […]

No simple fix to climate variation extremes – just better management

25 July 2023

As southern Europe and parts of the USA and Asia sizzle in unbearable record-breaking heat, Dr Kevin Collins, senior lecturer in the environment and systems, from The Open University gives a stark warning – there’s no simple fix to the variation in climate change, only improved management. While the UK isn’t frying it’s just a […]

New OU / BBC programme explores how we can make our cars and heating greener

21 July 2023

Tuesday 25th July sees the first of two brand new programmes from The Open University (OU) and BBC titled What They Really Mean For You, beginning on BBC One at 20:00, presented by BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt. The first episode, Electric Cars: What They Really Mean For You, investigates people’s frustrations with electric cars […]

Kenyan minister visits OU on fact-finding mission to potentially adopt elements of distance learning education

20 July 2023

The OU recently played host to Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Higher Education on a visit to Walton Hall to see how the country could develop supported distance learning. The Kenyan government has prioritised digital learning to improve equity, quality and access to Higher Education and since President William Ruto was elected in August 2022, he […]

OU launches two free courses to improve the care of older people with learning disabilities

19 July 2023

The Open University has launched two free courses aimed at supporting professionals and families who care for older people with learning disabilities. Supporting older people with learning disabilities and their families and Caring for an older family member with learning disabilities have been developed using inclusive research overseen by Louise Wallace, Professor of Psychology and […]

More support is needed for families affected by parental imprisonment, according to a new study from The Open University and YSS.

18 July 2023

Families with children across the UK are missing out on vital support to help them cope with the impact caused by having a parent in prison, according to research from The Open University’s Children’s Research Centre and YSS. The two-year study funded by Worcestershire County Council, surveyed 68 families across the UK, to better understand […]

Attorney General champions government legal career at Open University

18 July 2023

Diverse routes into law and how the work of government lawyers impacts all aspects of public life were themes discussed by the Attorney General as she spoke to the Open University’s law students. Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP, visited The Open University campus in Milton Keynes on Thursday July 13 part of the Law […]

‘Don’t let exam results hold you back – you can still succeed’

17 July 2023

With Results Day on everybody’s mind, OU graduate Jess Barrett, 30, knows all too well how it feels to not get the results you’d hoped for. Despite failing two of her exams, Jess has since gone on to succeed, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) last April. “Failing felt like a punch in the face” […]

7 more FE colleges to offer advanced technical skills with the OU in ‘cold spots’

17 July 2023

Seven Further Education colleges in England are set to get a boost to their higher technical skills provision with the aim to support more people to secure jobs and grow the economy in their area. The colleges will be supported for the next two years by The Open University as they look to expand the […]

Stunning new OU/BBC series relives our Earth’s fascinating history

14 July 2023

Join us on a journey through some of our home planet’s most epic moments in a new OU/BBC series, Earth, presented by legendary naturalist and nature photographer, Chris Packham. The series will begin this evening (17 July 2023) on BBC Two at 9.00pm, kicking off five incredible episodes tracking the origins of Earth to the […]

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