The Open University

OU/ BBC co-productions shortlisted for prestigious award

29 July 2019

Four programmes co-produced by the BBC and The Open University’s Broadcast and Partnership Team with WELS, FASS and STEM have been shortlisted for various categories in The Grierson Awards 2019. Established in 1972, the awards recognise and celebrate documentaries from Britain and abroad that have made a significant contribution to the genre and demonstrate quality, […]

BBC and OU programme explores ‘The Brexit Storm’

1 April 2019

As Parliament continues to negotiate leaving the European Union, The Brexit Storm: Laura Kuenssberg’s Inside Story gives viewers a front-row seat to nine turbulent months of political history. Co-produced by the BBC and The Open University’s Broadcast and Partnerships team, the one-off special airs on Monday 1 April at 9pm on BBC Two. With candid access to many of […]

Grenfell Tower film wins national award

13 November 2018

A film about the Grenfell Tower tragedy, created by Dr David Scott, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, has won an award at the British Documentary Film Festival. Winning in the ‘Life Changing Award’ category, the film – called ‘Grenfell Tower and Social Murder‘ includes powerful testimonies from survivors and families of the bereaved. Dr Scott said: […]

Documentary shares uplifting stories of those with terminal illness

17 May 2017

A Time to Live, a BBC/OU co-production brings to the screen the remarkable and revealing stories of 12 people living with a terminal illness. The documentary explores the different ways the 12 people, aged from their 20s to their 60s, approach their impending death and the impact on those close to them. Through personal stories, […]

Success for OU co-productions at The Grierson Awards

18 November 2016

The OU is celebrating success at an international awards ceremony for two of its co-productions with the BBC. The two programmes, How to Die: Simon’s Choice and The Hunt achieved success at the 44th Grierson Awards, hosted by Jon Culshaw and held at The Mermaid, London on Monday 7th November. The awards recognise and celebrate […]

Dementiaville scoops Learning on Screen Award

6 May 2016

The Open University and Channel 4 co-produced documentary series that explored a radical approach to dementia care has won the General Education Broadcast Award at the Learning on Screen Awards. Now in its 12th year, the Learning on Screen Awards is the UK’s only celebration of media production in learning, teaching and research. Held by the […]

Why assisted suicide is a ‘moral maze’

11 February 2016

Dr Sam Murphy, Lecturer in health studies and Interim Assistant Head of Department, in the Faculty of Health and Social Care writes on the controversial subject of assisted suicide… The recent BBC programme How to Die: Simon’s Choice brought to the fore the dilemmas that arise following a diagnosis of a terminal illness such as […]

Documentary on personal story of a choice to die

9 February 2016

An observational documentary, co-produced by The Open University and BBC, follows the journey of a man considering assisted suicide. Simon is a successful businessman with a loving family and large circle of friends. His world falls apart in January 2015 when he is diagnosed with an aggressive form of Motor Neurone Disease and given two […]