The Open University

Latest Webb telescope results uncover dark, icy beginnings of life’s building blocks

23 January 2023

The discovery of diverse ices in the darkest, coldest regions of a molecular cloud ever measured has been announced by an international team of astronomers – including from the OU – using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. This result, published today in Nature allows astronomers to examine the simple icy molecules and open a […]

“Can’t talk. It’s not safe, I’m driving”

20 January 2023

New research led by the OU aims to improve road safety by challenging the perception that hands-free phone use by drivers is ‘safe’. Latest government figures show that by the close of 2021, 20 people were killed and 616 injured in collisions in Great Britain where mobile phone use was recorded as a contributory factor. […]

OU research student Lois in the lab at Milton Keynes

OU researcher wins prestigious award for her work to empower rural schools in Ghana

20 January 2023

Lois Damptey, a PhD student in the School of Engineering and Innovation at the Open University (OU) has won a ‘Youth Excellence award in Science and Engineering’ in Ghana. Lois’ PhD is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). Under the supervision of Professor Satheesh Krishnamurthy, Prof N.S. Braithwaite and Prof Vasant Kumar (from […]

OU space researcher wins prestigious Japanese Fellowship to investigate the Mars atmosphere

19 January 2023

Juan Alday, a scientist in the ExoMars research group at The Open University (OU), has been awarded a research fellowship by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to study the atmosphere of Mars. Juan will be conducting research at the University of Tokyo for nine months to better understand the isotope composition […]

‘A special school’ airs on BBC Two, BBC Cymru Wales and iPlayer

18 January 2023

Two academics from The Open University used their specialist skills to advise the BBC programme makers on a second series of A Special School, which airs on BBC Two on 20th February at 7pm. The three-part series goes behind the scenes in a compelling observational documentary that shows what is possible when boundaries are pushed. […]

Sexual misconduct in the UK Parliament – research shows pathway to change

17 January 2023

A first-of-its-kind research book shines a light on the experiences of women who have been affected by sexual misconduct while working in the UK Parliament. The research looks at what could be done to create the conditions for change and gives voice to many whistle-blowers and survivors of sexual harassment who bravely shared their stories. […]

New framework for nursery practitioners shaped by OU research

17 January 2023

Research by Dr Natalie Canning, Senior Lecturer of Early Childhood and Co-Director of The Open University’s (OU) Children’s Research Centre has helped shape a new framework for early childhood practitioners. Created in partnership with the Interactive Learning Diary, the ‘Empowerment Framework’ can be used by practitioners to observe and analyse children’s play and activities to […]

New research finds the biggest predictors of future wealth

11 January 2023

Are you a saver or a spender? Do you plan financially for the future? According to new research, your planning capabilities and attitude towards money are two big drivers when it comes to accumulating wealth. Drawing on data from more than 90,000 UK adults, the paper titled Money attitudes, financial capabilities, and impulsiveness as predictors […]

OU to offer £280k to help EdTech companies develop new products

9 January 2023

The Open University (OU) has launched a new online start-up incubator to support businesses that produce educational technology to enhance the learning experience. The EdTech Foundry will give small to medium sized businesses access to the expertise of academics from the OU’s renowned Institute of Educational Technology, as well as a proportion of a £280,000 […]

Ways that can help you stop feeling blue about finances in 2023

9 January 2023

Jonquil Lowe is a senior lecturer in economics at the OU and specialises in personal finance. Here she provides some New Year tips for those likely to struggle in 2023 and for others who could ease their load. Stats show over a third of UK households, that’s 10.8 million, are struggling or in serious difficulties […]

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