The Open University

Amazons and warrior princesses on screen – the legacy of Xena 20 years on

18 June 2021

Written by Dr Amanda Potter, Visiting Research Fellow, at The Open University . Xena the warrior princess, played by Lucy Lawless, captivated audiences around the world for six series with her high kicks, sword skills and distinctive war cry. The series followed her as she fought her way through armies, monsters and gods, alongside her […]

Award success for OU degree apprentices

17 June 2021

Five apprentices studying for degree apprenticeships through The Open University (OU) have been awarded a Certificate of Merit at the prestigious Tech Industry Gold Apprenticeship Awards from TechSkills, The awards recognise the achievements of apprentices on Tech Industry Gold degree apprenticeships and were presented at a virtual ceremony, (Wednesday 16th June 2021) which was attended […]

Advertising on GB News

17 June 2021

The Open University (OU) conducted a review of the GB News channel as it would for any new broadcast outlet, to look at viability of running advertising. The review looked at a range of data sets and associated commercial broadcast data. As a result of the review’s conclusions, the OU will not be commencing advertising […]

Flexibility in the office post Covid: More or less?

16 June 2021

As we emerge from restrictions of the pandemic, many organisations with high levels of office-based staff are considering the extent to which they want to maintain flexibility while also bringing employees back into the workplace. The OU’s Dr Volker Patent, a chartered psychologist and lecturer, specialises in business psychology and coaching. His research focuses on […]

OU alumna and published author, Eva Verde

OU creative writing student to published author

14 June 2021

Eva Verde has always enjoyed writing but kept her dream of being an author a secret, until studying Creative Writing at The Open University (OU) made her dreams a reality. Eva tells us about her journey from OU student to published author. I’ve been writing since I can remember, but it wasn’t until I […]

An elderly Rohingya Refugee man looks out upon the devastation caused by the fires that burned down the homes of thousands in April 2021 Photo by Mohamned Zobair

Refugee Week – COVID19: Chronicles from the Margins

14 June 2021

The Open University’s (OU) research project, COVID19: Chronicles from the Margins began as the pandemic engulfed the world in March 2020. It aimed to investigate how diverse migrant groups like, asylum-seekers, refugees, migrant workers and undocumented people have responded to COVID-19, and invited these groups to share their experiences through poems, songs, music, photos, short […]

Lunar samples record impact 4.2 billion years ago that may have formed one of the oldest craters on the Moon

11 June 2021

An international team of researchers led by The Open University (OU) has provided the first sample-based evidence, which they argue reflects the age of the Serenitatis Basin – one of the oldest craters on the Moon. The formation and ages of the lunar basins and craters, created during large collisional impact events during the first […]

A million years of past South Asian monsoons suggests stronger monsoon rainfall in the future

7 June 2021

A study by an international research team including scientists from The Open University (OU) has had its findings published in the journal Science Advances. It found that increases in monsoon rainfall over the past million years were linked with increases in atmospheric CO2, continental ice volume and the import of moisture from the southern hemisphere, […]

77% of SME leaders lack skills to successfully implement new tech into their businesses

3 June 2021

The Open University (OU) has jointly published a report with Be the Business called Skills for Success: supporting business leaders with digital adoption. The research involved surveying 1,500 business leaders of SMEs from across the UK that have needed to make drastic changes to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. The report found that […]

TV cameras capture building of Britain’s biggest nuclear power station

2 June 2021

A new series co-produced by the BBC and The Open University offers viewers a fascinating insight into the ambitious construction of Britain’s new nuclear power station, Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Building Britain’s Biggest Nuclear Power Station begins on Wednesday 2nd June at 9pm on BBC Two. The four-part series follows the engineers, technicians and […]

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