The Open University

Open University Nursing Apprentice Paul shares his innovative buddying system

‘Your first career doesn’t have to be your final one’

10 May 2022

Paul Gardner-Smith has just completed his Open University Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship as part of a drastic career change from secondary school teacher to nurse. He’s now living his dream career as a Registered Nurse and has already created an inspired ‘buddy’ system to support the next generation of nursing apprentices. As part of Paul’s […]

Refugees walking along with their belongings. Image credit:Thinkstock

Open University launches fund for displaced refugees

9 May 2022

A new fund has been launched by The Open University (OU) to support people displaced by conflict or crisis to build a brighter and better future. The Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarships programme is designed to help refugees, forced migrants and people seeking asylum; those fleeing armed conflict, violence, or persecution in their home nation, including […]

New research highlights need for change in climate mitigation tactics

6 May 2022

A new study has found that the presence of moisture has a stronger role in developing areas of tropical vegetation than manmade CO2 emissions. The research, undertaken by Dr William Gosling from the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics at the University of Amsterdam and supported by the OU, found previous suggestions that human-elevated CO2 […]

BAFTA nominations for two BBC/OU programmes

5 May 2022

Two BBC and Open University co-productions have earned BAFTA nominations in the current affairs and factual series categories. And on Sunday, 8 May, academics from the Faculties of Business and Law and Arts and Social Sciences, who acted as consultants for the programmes, find out if they’ve won. The BBC billing for Trump takes on […]

Double win for the OU at the Learning on Screen Awards

4 May 2022

The Open University has won two awards at the UK’s only celebration of film and media production in education. Established in 2005, the Learning on Screen Awards showcases the best in educational film and television. The OU has won two awards at this year’s event – the Broadcast Award for BBC/ OU co-production, Surrogates and the Educational […]

OU academics contribute to new BBC Ideas film: ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’

29 April 2022

Appearing in court without representation is becoming increasingly common. But is it a sensible strategy? Academics from The Open University’s Open Justice Centre have answered exactly this question in a new BBC Ideas film titled ‘Does it ever pay to represent yourself in court?’. Open Justice Centre Director Francine Ryan, Professor of Law and Social […]

New report reveals flexible learning and hybrid working are the key to public sector talent retention challenge

28 April 2022

Almost three quarters (73%) of public sector workers would be more likely to stay in a job that allowed hybrid working, according to The Open University’s new report into public sector skills. The Embracing Flexibility report was published in partnership with the Public Sector Executive and highlights a desire for more flexibility and learning-and-development opportunities […]

OU Law student Steven is an advocate for disability rights

‘I’m advocating for the rights and equality of people with disabilities’

28 April 2022

Steven Sutherland from Kilbarchan near Glasgow is on a mission to create positive change for the disabled community. An established disability rights advocate and former member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, 27-year-old Steven is now studying a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree with The Open University. He’s determined to use his qualification to progress in […]

New research shows that adding rock dust to UK soils could dramatically reduce CO2 emissions

25 April 2022

A major new study shows adding rock dust to UK agricultural soils in place of imported fertilizer could remove between 6 and 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere annually by 2050. The study, led by the Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation at the University of Sheffield and partners including The […]

OU celebrates students and climate action with tree planting

22 April 2022

The OU has had its first tree planting day to celebrate its research students and to demonstrate its commitment to climate action. This is part of an evidence-backed initiative which means the OU Graduate School plants a tree for each research student who graduates, in either the Forest of Marston Vale or in Malawi, through […]

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