The Open University

Earth From Space: a unique perspective

17 April 2019

A picture is worth a thousand words and this week’s brand new BBC series made in partnership with The Open University shows how true the adage is. Satellite images from space are being used in Earth from Space to tell stories of life on the planet from a brand-new perspective, revealing new discoveries, incredible colours […]

’50 Years’ photography collection launched

17 April 2019

The Open University is marking its 50th year anniversary this month by telling its remarkable story through the power of photographs, in a collection released today. Former and current OU students, including a prisoner turned academic, a woman research pioneer in moon exploration and a soldier who studied in the field with waterproofed books, all […]

New research to address mental health challenges in Guyana

12 April 2019

An OU academic is leading an ambitious new research project to address mental health challenges in Guyana. This will result in a new honours degree in Mental Health Nursing in Guyana, which has gained support from the Guyanese government, the higher education sector, and civic society. Dr Helena Ann Mitchell, Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing […]

First results from Mars mission revealed

11 April 2019

The first results from the ExoMars mission – which includes instruments led by The Open University – give new evidence in the debate over whether methane (a key indicator of life) exists on the Red Planet. The results, feature in two papers published in the journal Nature show a surprise lack of methane and also […]

OU digital access for prisons and secure hospitals “shone out” in The Guardian University Awards 2019

11 April 2019

A project which provides digital access to study materials for students in secure environments, such as prisons and secure hospitals, has won the widening access and outreach category in the Guardian University Awards. The award, which was presented to the OU team at the Guardian University Awards ceremony in London yesterday (10 April) was for […]

The Open University joins programme promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights in crisis hit countries

10 April 2019

The Open University has announced its commitment to a new multi-million pound Government funded consortium within the UK Aid Connect programme to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) led consortium, in which the OU is a partner, includes Frontline AIDS, Internews Europe, London School of Hygiene and […]

World Health Day – spotlight on OU research

5 April 2019

As we mark World Health Day on the 7 April, The Open University’s Research Team takes a look at the research that has shaped and influenced the health sector. Removing stigma about abortion Research by Professor Lesley Hoggart, led to the creation of the MyBodyMyLife exhibition, a space in which anyone could share their stories. This […]

There is never going to be a bricks-and-mortar offering of higher education in every coastal town

4 April 2019

Today, the House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities published a report called: The future of seaside towns. The report looks at the issues, challenges and opportunities these communities face in several areas with education and skills a key part. Professor Ian Fribbance, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and […]

Does nature sound good to you? Huge new national experiment part of major collaboration with BBC

2 April 2019

Could listening to nature improve your health? It’s widely acknowledged that spending time in natural environments boosts people’s mood, but little is known about what part sound plays. Now, a new national experiment using The Open University’s nQuire platform is conducting one of the biggest investigations into the therapeutic effects of sound. The nQuire platform […]

Charity t-shirt scandals: Is a low wage better than no wage at all?

2 April 2019

The news that workers in Bangladesh were being paid 35p an hour to produce the Spice Girls t-shirt, emblazoned with ‘Gender Justice’ on the back, caused consternation. Dr Lorena Lombardozzi, Lecturer in Economics, blogs for LSE about the problem with the lack of accountability in value-chains. Empty celebrity promises Dr Lombardozzi says there is a […]

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