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News from The Open University

NASA photograph of Planet Pluto

Nasa considers sending swimming robots to habitable ‘ocean worlds’ of the Solar System

David Rothery, The Open University Nasa has recently announced US$600,000 (£495,000) in funding for a study into the feasibility of sending swarms of miniature swimming robots (known as independent micro-swimmers) to explore oceans beneath the icy shells of our Solar System’s many “ocean worlds”. But don’t imagine metal humanoids swimming frog-like underwater. They will probably […]

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Campaign to help change lives through education

Campaign to help change lives through education

The Open University (OU) stages its second annual Giving Day this week and is encouraging people to help transform the lives and rewrite the futures of current and future students. By making donations over a 36-hour timeframe from 9am on Thursday 7 July to 9pm on Friday 8 July in support of the OU’s Open […]

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New study reveals Atlantic Ocean abyss was once as warm as the Mediterranean, highlighting the astonishing impact of climate change

New study reveals Atlantic Ocean abyss was once as warm as the Mediterranean, highlighting the astonishing impact of climate change

A new study of ancient ocean temperatures, published today in Science, shows that the abyssal Atlantic Ocean was once a truly balmy 20 °C – warmer even than the surface of the modern Mediterranean Sea. Scientists, including Dr Philip Sexton of the OU, say the new data, spanning the last 60 million years, show the […]

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RAF image courtesy of Crown Copyright 2011

Finding a new purpose after the Forces

Stuart Lawson had served in the Army for 19 years when a terrible accident turned his world upside down. It was while undergoing gruelling rehabilitation that Stuart set himself a new goal to work towards – becoming a History teacher. With the help of an Open University scholarship for disabled veterans, Stuart is now on […]

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It’s tough going for UK businesses, finds the OU’s 2022 Business Barometer

It’s tough going for UK businesses, finds the OU’s 2022 Business Barometer

According to The Open University’s Business Barometer 2022, published in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, UK organisations are experiencing the knock-on effect of ongoing skills shortages and recruitment challenges. The OU’s annual report provides a temperature check on the UK skills landscape and found more than three quarters (78%) are seeing reduced output, […]

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Joyce Fraser

Joy for academic on news of her OBE in Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours

An academic from The Open University’s Business School has just learned she is to receive an OBE for her work promoting Black history and heritage. Joyce Fraser (Joyce King to her OU colleagues) founded the Black Heroes Foundation in memory of her late husband ‘Flip’ Fraser, the first editor of The Voice newspaper (a publication […]

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OU academic joins international team of experts to advise on samples to be returned from Mars

OU academic joins international team of experts to advise on samples to be returned from Mars

A select group of researchers from across the world – including a STEM academic at the OU –will investigate the scientific potential of Mars rock and sediment samples gathered by space explorations. The Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group has been established by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency) to bring together 16 researchers who […]

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‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without my OU journey’

‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without my OU journey’

Susanna van Tonder enrolled with The Open University to push herself personally and professionally, but just two years into her studies, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Susanna shares how her tutor’s support helped her stick with her Open Degree – and how she’s now using the skills she acquired daily. Susanna, who lives […]

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New BBC/ OU series explores the unheard voices of the AIDS crisis

New BBC/ OU series explores the unheard voices of the AIDS crisis

On Monday (27 June), an innovative three-part documentary series starts on BBC 2, which tells the story of the British AIDS crisis as it’s never been told before. Co-produced by the BBC and The Open University, AIDS: The Unheard Tapes begins 40 years ago when a mysterious disease first appeared in Britain’s gay community. A […]

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The trailblazing women in engineering

The trailblazing women in engineering

It’s no secret that the engineering sector has traditionally seen more men than women climbing the ladder. Despite this, science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) industries have come a long way in encouraging and supporting women into historically ‘male’ education and career paths. To celebrate this and mark this year’s International Women in Engineering Day […]

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