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Secrets, spies, and the nuclear war that was avoided

Secrets, spies, and the nuclear war that was avoided

This latest Open University/BBC co production is something you might find from the pages of a thriller novel – but it’s a portrayal of real events that depict how a Soviet double agent helped the West avoid a nuclear war with Russia in the 1980s. The three-part dramatization series Secrets & Spies: A Nuclear Game, […]

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Apprentice studying

500 ‘diagnostic’ assessments!? Time to reflect

Let me start with a story. Many years ago, I had a student who was struggling to get specialist support to meet his learning needs. He had dyslexia and was entitled to additional support paid for by government funding. Dyslexia was a topic skirted over in one of my degrees and so, as an Associate […]

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Michael wearing graduation gown and blue glasses, looking at the camera with a background of plant leaves.

Historian who challenged the view of Black British history is honoured

A pioneering Black historian whose research has transformed the nation’s understanding of our Black British history has been awarded an honorary degree from The Open University and confessed he is “unashamedly woke” . A delighted Michael Ohajuru made the comments as he accepted his Doctor of the University award, for all that he has accomplished, […]

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What are the EU’s new migration rules, and why did they take so long to pass?

Simon Usherwood,  Professor of Politics & International Studies in the School of Social Sciences & Global Studies at The Open University, writes for The Conversation about the EU’s new migration rules, and why they took so long to pass. The European Parliament has passed a landmark package of laws to overhaul its rules on borders […]

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judges hammer

19th century court case with all the hallmarks in today’s Post Office scandal

In a week when Mr Bates gave evidence at the ongoing inquiry into the post office scandal, here Rosalind Crone, Professor of History at The Open University, points to a 129-year old case that contains similar hallmarks: a grave miscarriage of justice; massive press attention and storytelling that made all the difference. Google the name […]

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Open University and BBC co-production nominated for a TV BAFTA award

Open University and BBC co-production nominated for a TV BAFTA award

The Open University/BBC award-winning documentary “Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland” has been nominated for another accolade, this time a prestigious TV BAFTA. Twenty-five years on from a peace agreement being reached, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland shares intimate, unheard testimonies from all sides of the conflict. It combined archive footage with […]

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Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Mention ‘Love is a Many-Splendored Thing’ and you might be mistaken for talking about a song from a forgettable 1950s film, but a bestselling novel preceded them both. An Open University academic has taken a new look at the popular romance A Many-Splendoured Thing that became a worldwide hit for its author Han Suyin. Professor Alex […]

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Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

It’s 50 years since the first recording was made of Dolly Parton’s major hit I will always love you – the hit later taken to chart-topping fame through Whitney Houston’s rendition in the film The Bodyguard. And Dr Marie Thompson, who wrote an Open University six-week short course based on the work of the country […]

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Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

This Friday Russia goes to the polls in a general election predicted to reinstate Vladimir Putin as leader, again. Behind the scenes will be a tried-and-tested toolkit to ensure his victory, according to Open University academic Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody – Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, who specialises in Russian information manipulation. Technically, the […]

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Budget 2024: experts explain what it means for taxpayers, businesses, borrowers and the NHS

Budget 2024: experts explain what it means for taxpayers, businesses, borrowers and the NHS

The spring budget of 2024 was widely seen as a chance for UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt to inject some economic optimism into British politics ahead of a general election. Would he or wouldn’t he cut income tax? (He wouldn’t.) Would he pull rabbits out of hats in a bid to convince the electorate that the […]

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