The Open University

New framework for nursery practitioners shaped by OU research

17 January 2023

Research by Dr Natalie Canning, Senior Lecturer of Early Childhood and Co-Director of The Open University’s (OU) Children’s Research Centre has helped shape a new framework for early childhood practitioners. Created in partnership with the Interactive Learning Diary, the ‘Empowerment Framework’ can be used by practitioners to observe and analyse children’s play and activities to […]

OU to offer £280k to help EdTech companies develop new products

9 January 2023

The Open University (OU) has launched a new online start-up incubator to support businesses that produce educational technology to enhance the learning experience. The EdTech Foundry will give small to medium sized businesses access to the expertise of academics from the OU’s renowned Institute of Educational Technology, as well as a proportion of a £280,000 […]

OU degree is ‘on pointe’ for Scottish Ballet star

21 December 2022

An acclaimed Scottish Ballet dancer shares how she achieved her first-class Open University degree alongside a full-time career as a professional ballerina. Constance Devernay-Laurence is used to wowing audiences as a Principal dancer in Scottish Ballet. She’s now added another achievement to her bright career by completing a degree in Sport, Fitness and Coaching. “It’s […]

Female nurse pushing a patient in a wheelchair

Two-thirds of respondents claim enquiry-based learning helps their nursing practice, new OU report finds

22 November 2022

The Open University (OU) has released a new report in partnership with National Health Executive, which looks at the use of Enquiry-based learning (EBL) within nurse education. The innovative teaching style closes the theory-practice gap; a crucial step in the nursing profession. The report, Enquiry-based learning: Transforming nurse education explores the feedback from recent OU nursing […]

New BBC/ OU co-pro follows James Arthur’s mental health journey

9 November 2022

A new BBC and Open University co-production featuring multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter, James Arthur will air on BBC Three at 9pm on Sunday 13 November. James Arthur: Out of Our Minds follows James at a crossroads in his life. After being propelled to stardom following his X Factor win in 2012, James experienced a decade of highs, […]

Help for people supporting Ukrainians in the UK launched by OU

20 October 2022

The Open University (OU) has launched a new free online course for people housing, caring for or working with Ukrainians in the UK. The course focuses on Ukrainian culture and language and has been developed specifically for UK residents hosting refugees, and service providers working with people who have arrived from Ukraine. Providing an insight […]

Presenter of the programme, Tommy Jessop

Tonight’s Panorama investigates deaths of people with a learning disability

7 October 2022

Tonight, a new OU/BBC programme, Panorama: Will the NHS Care for Me? airs on BBC1 at 20:00* and is available on BBC iPlayer. In this programme, co-produced by the BBC and the OU’s Broadcast and Partnerships team, Line of Duty actor and campaigner, Tommy Jessop investigates why people with a learning disability are more than […]

International Development graduate Kieran

Career or qualifications? Chase both, says globetrotting consultant

26 September 2022

When Kieran Griffin dropped out of college at 16, he never imagined he would carve out an international career supporting communities around the world. Or that he could achieve it all while also gaining a degree with The Open University. After completing his International Studies degree while globe-trotting, Kieran, now 28, shares his story so […]

Three women from the England football celebrating their win

Top 5 ways to champion women in sport

22 September 2022

Serena Williams’ recent announcement that she is stepping down from professional tennis as the sport isn’t conducive with being a mother, has highlighted one of the barriers that women face in the industry. Women and girls, taking part in sport and fitness at all levels, from elite performers to those attending a weekly fitness class, […]

New BBC Bitesize series lifts the lid on lesser-known healthcare careers

1 September 2022

A new digital series on healthcare careers launches today (1 September) on BBC Bitesize and OU Connect. Co-produced by the BBC and The Open University (OU), the series of ten informative short films delves into the lesser-known roles in the healthcare sector through the eyes of those starting out in their careers and the people […]

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