The Open University

Malcolm Sweeting appointed as new Pro-Chancellor

4 March 2019

The Open University has appointed Malcolm Sweeting as its new Pro-Chancellor, replacing Richard Gillingwater, who completed his term of office at the end of 2018 after 4 years in the role. A wealth of experience Malcolm Sweeting is a leading international corporate finance lawyer, a partner of Clifford Chance since 1990 and was global senior […]

Meet the Expert: Martin Weller

4 March 2019

Last month, Martin Weller, Professor of Educational Technology at The Open University delivered his inaugural lecture to an audience of over 200. As part of the OU’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Martin examined the meaning of the term ‘open’ and considered what an ‘Open University’ would look like if we were to invent it now. Martin has […]

There are missing objects at the fringe of the solar system – new study puzzles astronomers

1 March 2019

Professor David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at The Open University discusses a new method to help see the unseen bodies that are in the Kuiper belt. In the dimly lit spaces of our solar system beyond Neptune’s orbit lies the Kuiper Belt. This a region between about 35 and 50 times further from the sun than […]

OU launches social worker degree apprenticeship

28 February 2019

The Open University (OU) has launched its Social Worker Degree Apprenticeship, supporting more people into higher education and providing a new, flexible route into becoming a social worker. Employers in a social work setting – across England – are being encouraged to work in partnership with the OU to set up the apprenticeships to develop […]

From studying out of a suitcase to social justice campaigner

27 February 2019

Like all children growing up in the UK in the 1970s, Lynnette Thomas’ first interaction with The Open University was via early morning television. This was just the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the OU, which led to her becoming Deputy Director for the OU in Wales last June. The OU connection doesn’t stop […]

FutureLearn to deliver digital skills programmes in new Institute of Coding initiative

25 February 2019

The Open University (OU)’s social learning platform FutureLearn is to deliver digital skills programmes as part of the Institute of Coding (IoC), a multi-million pound initiative. The FutureLearn platform, which is wholly-owned by the OU, will deliver digital skills courses from the University of Leeds, Lancaster University, Goldsmiths and the Creative Computing Institute at the University […]

Report finds an urgent need for independent regulation of social media

18 February 2019

On Monday 18 February 2019, the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee published its long awaited final report on Disinformation and ‘fake news’. The report covered an enquiry that spanned 18 months, oral evidence from 73 witnesses including The Open University, over 4350 questions and a final ‘International Grand Committee’ meeting in November 2018. Its […]

LGBT History Month: a retrospective on Alan Turing

15 February 2019

February of each year is LBGT History Month, a month-long focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, with the overall aim of promoting equality and diversity, and increasing the visibility of the LGBT community. Professor Sophie Grace Chappell, Professor of Philosophy at The Open University, regularly writes about her own experiences as transgender, as well as discussing […]

Teens sleep debate is a health issue, says OU academic

11 February 2019

As MPs debate whether the school day should start later, The OU’s Dr Paul Kelley said there are biological reasons why teenagers do stay up late and lie in longer. A petition of more than 179,000 signatures online has sparked the debate on Monday February 11 in Parliament, focused on schools in England, to consider […]

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

8 February 2019

Mental health problems affect 1 in 10 children and young people, with more than half (56%) saying that they worry ‘all the time’ about at least one thing to do with their school life, home life or themselves. As we mark Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (4-10 February), Dr Jackie Musgrave, Programme Leader for Early Childhood and Primary […]

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