The Open University

Rumour Has It… that Adele wants to take on a distance-learning degree

7 November 2022

Singing superstar Adele caused a flurry of interest recently when she admitted she has dreams of studying for a distance-learning degree in English Literature when her Las Vegas residency show ends. Her comments fell in the run up to Lifelong Learning Week, which runs from today, 7 November, and is designed to celebrate and champion […]

Government growth plan ‘not credible’… only a U-turn could reverse the damage of the budget

12 October 2022

While the idea of growing the economy is not wrong the timing is and the only way forward for the Liz Truss government is to do a complete U-turn. That’s according to Jonquil Lowe a respected economist and personal finance senior lecturer at The Open University who says it is the one way to return […]

Inflation, recession fears and tax cuts: any new UK chancellor faces an unenviable in-tray

8 July 2022

Alan Shipman, Senior Lecturer in Economic at The Open University and Phil Tomlinson, Professor of Industrial Strategy at Bath University, talk about the range of ministerial resignations in Boris Johnson’s government and the unenviable job of the new chancellor. The flood of ministerial resignations from UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s government in recent days started […]

Woman's hand holding a piece of cloth with signatures written on it

New series of ‘Secrets of the Museum’ starts tonight on BBC Two

7 April 2022

A new series of Secrets of the Museum, co-produced by the BBC and The Open University airs tonight (7 April) on BBC Two at 8pm. In series three of the popular programme, viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes footage of London’s Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum’s vast collection. We meet the experts that work tirelessly to […]

OU launches package of free FCDO approved safeguarding leadership courses

19 November 2021

The Open University (OU) has launched the first module in a package of free Safeguarding Leadership Training courses, aimed at those working in the international development sector. The three courses will help those working in development and humanitarian organisations to better understand the causes of harm, abuse, and exploitation and how to effectively prevent and […]

US election puts personality politics in spotlight

3 November 2020

As the world awaits the outcome of the US election Dr Kesi Mahendran, a social and political psychologist at the OU, sheds new light on this crucially important vote and specifically its headline player Donald Trump. Her team’s research focuses on the public conversation between leaders and their citizens and the rise of populism. Yet […]

Report airs fresh concern for migrants’ healthcare rights in a COVID world

27 October 2020

A report calling for universal access to healthcare and raising the needs of migrants denied healthcare is launched today (Tuesday October 27th) co-authored by The Open University (OU). Dr Kathryn Medien is lecturer in sociology and has co-authored a report by The New Economics Foundation and the Patients Not Passports coalition called: “The International Struggle […]

Summer statement: Rishi Sunak goes all out for jobs, leaving public finances for another day

9 July 2020

Alan Shipman, Lecturer in Economics at The Open University, discusses the Government’s summer statement in Parliament and what it means for employment and the economy in the UK. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s summer statement on July 8 was intended to show how the government can quickly end its emergency bankrolling of the economy, and let a […]

Lockdown lessons from the history of solitude

9 April 2020

David Vincent, Professor of History at The Open University writes for The Conversation about this history of solitude. When the poet John Donne was struck down by a sudden infection in 1623 he immediately found himself alone – even his doctors deserted him. The experience, which only lasted a week, was intolerable. He later wrote: […]

Ancient spells and charms for the hapless in love

14 February 2020

PhD Student at The Open University, Adam Parker writes for The Conversation about ancient love spells and charms. Valentine’s Days is not all love hearts and roses for everyone. For the hapless in love, the day can be a yearly reminder of failed romances, unrequited love and the seemingly unending search for the illusive “one”. Such […]

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