The Open University

New analysis suggests Trump’s January 6th speech did “enable violence” at Capitol Hill

24 August 2023

New academic research led by The Open University and the University of St Andrews suggests Donald Trump’s January 6th speech served as a ‘warrant’ for the violence that occurred afterwards when crowds stormed the Capitol building. Psychologists in the research team, including academics from Canterbury Christ Church University and The University of Queensland in Australia, […]

Image shows backs of two police officers in high-vis jackets

Further funding for research into improving how Police investigate sexual violence

24 August 2023

A team of researchers from the OU’s Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) has secured another year’s funding (£600k) to continue their work, alongside Police to improve the way rape and sexual offences are investigated. Findings of Operation Soteria Bluestone, a report launched in 2021 in response to the Government’s End-to-End Rape Review, highlighted […]

AstrobiologyOU at Bluedot festival: Life in extreme weather

22 August 2023

Author: Victoria Pearson AstrobiologyOU – an Open University research group looking into life beyond earth and the challenges of astrobiology missions – were showcased this summer at the Bluedot festival, held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jodrell Bank Observatory. The annual festival combines live music, comedy and culture with science and space delivered […]

Photo of three children with their backs to the camera. They are weaving with colourful fabric scraps

New art exhibit celebrates the beauty and value of floodplain meadows

18 August 2023

A new art exhibit is being shown at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History to celebrate and raise awareness of Britain’s floodplain meadows. The exhibit will be open until the end of October and is part of an Open University (OU) project working to conserve, restore and protect Britain’s floodplain meadows. The Floodplain Meadows […]

Could ‘Bidenomics’ be the white knight to save UK Plc?

17 August 2023

Our economy is broken in many places and it’s not behaving the way it should but it’s not beyond repair – we need more investment, in traditional industries as well as new tech, and a British ‘Bidenomics’ could be the answer. That’s the verdict of Alan Shipman, Senior Lecturer in economics at The Open University, […]

Education project transforms lives for girls and young women in Zimbabwe

16 August 2023

The Open University is one of six partners in a successful initiative that has supported the learning of more than 13,400 out-of-school adolescent girls in Zimbabwe. For the past five years the project has helped the girls, who are disproportionately affected by gender inequality, to improve their learning outcomes and assist their transition into formal […]

Backs of seated students at an OU graduation ceremony

The Open University’s National Student Survey scores – 2023

15 August 2023

The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2023, commissioned by the Office for Students (OfS) have been published, with The Open University (OU) receiving scores higher than the sector average for academic support, teaching, organisation and management, assessment and feedback, learning resources, and learning opportunities. The OU has continued to perform extremely well for […]

Nearly 1 in 2 school leavers in England have reconsidered going to university, as cost of living soars

9 August 2023

New survey from The Open University shows that 49% of 18–19-year-olds in England have reconsidered going to university in the last year, due to rising living costs 71% say they would consider distance learning if it meant saving money The Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr) estimates that studying with the OU could potentially […]

Police in hi-visibility jackets policing crowd control at a UK event

The Open University renews contract with North Yorkshire Police to continue delivering specialist learning to police recruits

4 August 2023

The Open University (OU) Department for Policing has agreed a new contract with North Yorkshire Police (NYP) to continue delivering a suite of blended learning qualifications that equip officers with the skills required to meet the demands of twenty-first century policing. The OU/NYP partnership have developed four education pathways to support routes into policing; the […]

OU Lecturer wins National Teaching Fellowship for outstanding impact on student outcomes and teaching

3 August 2023

After a highly competitive process, Derek Jones, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Design at The Open University has received a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) from AdvanceHE. The award recognises his contribution to the development and improvement of design education at national and international levels. The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates and recognises individuals who have […]

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