The Open University

Photo of Emily Hollis in her graduation robes

Inspirational education leader awarded honorary Open University degree

18 April 2024

Emily Hollis MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from The Open University (OU) for devoting her career to promoting educational inclusion and raising standards for all. A distinguished educator, and passionate advocate for inclusion, Emily was presented with the honorary degree of Master of the University for her services to education and culture at […]

Menopause and ethics expert receives accolade from The Open University

30 November 2023

An expert in women’s reproductive and post-reproductive health has been awarded an honorary degree by The Open University (OU). Among hundreds of published works by Professor Margaret Rees are more than 20 textbooks – several of which have gone on to win awards from the British Medical Association. In accepting the award Professor Rees said: […]

NASA scientist is awarded an OU honorary degree

20 November 2023

A NASA scientist who has been part of the space exploration teams of our solar system for three decades has been awarded an honorary degree by The Open University at a recent graduation ceremony in Manchester. As part of a team, Dr Ashwin Vasavada has helped mankind visit Jupiter, Saturn, Earth’s Moon and the surface […]

Outstanding individuals receive honorary awards from the OU

27 April 2023

The Open University has issued accolades to a group of high-flying individuals who have made significant contributions in their field of expertise or the communities around them. It was at the OU’s London degree ceremony that four people climbed the Barbican Centre’s stage to receive their honorary awards. They included: Daniel Tammet, who is an […]

Welsh poet and former Wales Education Minister receive accolades from the OU

30 May 2022

Two women were awarded honorary degrees by The Open University in Wales at a graduation ceremony that featured more than 400 students plus their families and friends. The honorary degrees of Doctor of the University were awarded to former Wales Education Minister Kirsty Williams and former National Poet Gillian Clarke at the International Convention Centre […]

The Open University recognises major individual contributions with honorary awards

12 April 2022

After an absence of two years due to Covid restrictions, honorary graduates recently picked up their awards in person, at ceremonies in both London and Brighton. British-Iraqi businessman David Dangoor, who is a major educational and scientific philanthropist, attended the ceremony at The Barbican on one of two days’ celebrations to become a Doctor of […]

The many lives of Prue Leith

3 December 2019

To celebrate The Open University’s 50th Anniversary year, OU Honorary Graduate Prue Leith joined us for an ‘In conversation’ talk last week, led by fellow writer and Honorary Graduate Val McDermid. Speaking to the audience of OU students, alumni, partners and other members of the wider OU family, Prue described how her passion for new […]

Young people with life-threatening conditions need to talk about sex

15 November 2018

How do young people facing life-limiting or life-threatening conditions handle relationships and talk about sex? Making friends, exploring sex and developing relationships are an important part of becoming an adult. But young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions have limited opportunities to learn about relationships and sex. Family, carers and health practitioners can feel ill-prepared […]

Val McDermid and Mark Beaumont honoured by the OU

26 October 2018

Honorary graduates author Val McDermid, endurance athlete Mark Beaumont, educationalist Dame Ruth Silver, and teacher and educational psychologist Graham Cameron today joined almost 500 Open University graduates in Glasgow to receive their awards. Hailing from all over Scotland and beyond, the graduates – many of whom have juggled work, family and other commitments alongside their […]

Julia Gillard honoured by The Open University in Wales

22 October 2018

The former Prime Minister of Australia was honoured alongside Welsh graduates at The Open University in Wales degree ceremony in Cardiff. At the Wales Millennium Centre, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was presented with an honorary degree from The Open University in Wales for her contribution to public service. Born in Barry, Julia Gillard, […]

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