The Open University

Why “civilisation” remains a contested term: OU academics explain

28 February 2018

The new landmark BBC series, Civilisations, co-produced by The Open University, is set to bring history and art to life in a stunning piece of television. Presenters Simon Schama, Mary Beard and David Olusoga travel the globe to examine dazzling works of art and history – helping us to re-examine our own place in the […]

Hugh’s Wild West: new BBC wildlife programme explores the West Country

3 January 2018

Lifelong nature-lover Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall pursues his fascination with the wildlife of the West Country as he teams up with the region’s most dedicated nature lovers for a new series, produced in partnership with The Open University. Hugh’s Wild West begins on Saturday 6 January at 6.15pm on BBC Two and runs for twelve episodes. Amateurs are contributing […]

2017: an award-winning year of inspiring BBC TV and radio

20 December 2017

2017 has been the most successful year to date for The Open University and BBC partnership. Our TV and radio programmes reached more people than ever before and have won an unprecedented number of awards, including a BAFTA and a Grierson. Everything we produce creates unique resources for our teaching and learning. Exploring the planet, […]

Are big businesses creating a modern dystopia? New BBC series investigates

26 September 2017

Whether it’s using PayPal instead of cash, checking your iPhone constantly for emails, or using a Fitbit to track your steps, technologies have pervaded our daily lives in the last few decades and completely changed how we live. But is it all for the good? A new BBC series, co-produced by The Open University, investigates […]

The Detectives: Murder on the Streets

19 September 2017

The chilling BBC/OU Co-production The Detectives: Murder on the Streets returns for a second series this autumn, following Manchester’s homicide detectives as they work to unravel complex murder cases. With unparalleled and intimate access, this four-part series follows the Manchester team over the course of a year as they try to crack complex cases in real time. Open University […]

New series explores the dark reality behind the disruption economy

2 August 2017

New two-part television series Secrets of Silicon Valley investigates the reality behind Silicon Valley’s endless faith in its power to change the world for the better. The so-called ‘Tech Gods’ believe progress is powered by unleashing technology to tear up the world as it is and create a new one – a process they call “disruption”. Presented […]

Prejudice & Pride: The People’s History of LGBTQ Britain

24 July 2017

A new BBC/Open University co-production will take a look back at the 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality – from the perspective of the people who lived through them. Prejudice & Pride: The People’s History of LGBTQ Britain begins on Thursday 27 July, on BBC Four, at 9pm. In 1967 the Sexual Offences […]

Robots – friend or foe? New OU/BBC series explores the rise of the robots

19 July 2017

Are robots our companions or could they become our greatest rivals? In a special two-part series, electronics engineer, Professor Danielle George, and evolutionary biologist, Dr Ben Garrod, explore everything from driverless cars, to a robot destined to set up home for us on Mars. An obsession with robots in human form Produced in partnership with […]

OU supports year-long BBC science and technology season

12 June 2017

The OU is supporting a year-long season of science and technology programmes that will bring science to life for millions. Launched under the banner Tomorrow’s World, the radio and TV programmes and online hub, will take science out of the lab and into peoples’ homes, addressing how science is changing peoples’ lives, reshaping the world, and […]

Antidote to crime dramas hits TV this week – The Met: Policing London

23 May 2017

Across London, twenty four hours a day, the Metropolitan (Met) Police is dealing with the demands and dilemmas of policing a city of eight and a half million people. Following on from the highly successful first series, a second series of The Met: Policing London, which begins on BBC One, 9pm on 24 May, lifts the […]

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