The Open University

Eye witness accuracy affected by background colour in ID parades, research finds

30 April 2019

Research shows differing background colours in Police ID parades can affect eye witness accuracy

The Open University secures £50m investment in social learning platform FutureLearn

29 April 2019

SEEK Group investment takes FutureLearn from start-up to a £100m value company in just six years SEEK Group (ASX: SEK) will invest £50m to become a joint, 50% owner of The Open University’s FutureLearn social learning platform, it was announced today in a deal thought to be the largest ever private-sector EdTech investment in Europe. […]

Shakespeare: research blows away stereotypes and reveals teenagers actually love the Bard

24 April 2019

When you think of inner-city teenagers, what springs to mind? For many, it’s hoodies, video games – and probably hating Shakespeare. But my research proves that this stereotype is far from the truth. Shakespeare holds a contested place in the English national curriculum as the only compulsory writer to be studied between the ages of […]

“Being Chancellor was a great privilege” – Baroness Betty Boothroyd’s message of support as The Open University turns 50

19 April 2019

Meeting thousands of graduates during her time as Chancellor of The Open University, Baroness Betty Boothroyd says having this role at the OU “was a great privilege and something I really enjoyed.” She attended many of the OU’s degree ceremonies, which she described as “a most moving experience”, and in her maiden speech to The […]

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 […]

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