The Open University

OU/ BBC co-productions nominated for Learning on Screen Award

13 March 2019

The NHS: A People’s History and The Fires that Foretold Grenfell, co-produced by the BBC and The Open University’s Broadcast and Partnerships team have been nominated for the 2019 Learning on Screen Broadcast Awards. The NHS: A People’s History Broadcast in Jul 2018, as part of the 70th Anniversary of the NHS, Alex Brooker told the […]

Photograph of a person with a notebook and laptop

“Lifelong learning needs to be more than just political rhetoric”

11 March 2019

Prime Minister Theresa May launched a review of post-18 education and funding at Derby College in February 2018. As adult education institutions in England await the publication of the Augar review, Professor Mary Kellett, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, reflects on the government’s commitment to support lifelong learning in a blog on the educational policy website, […]

Space know-how helping to “sniff out” salad freshness

11 March 2019

Open University scientists are part of a UK team developing new technology which will be able to “smell” when fruit or vegetables are going off. It’s hoped the test could potentially save tonnes of waste. According to the UK waste advisory body WRAP, 1.2million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables are wasted each year. A UK-based […]

International Women’s Day – women of the OU

8 March 2019

To celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March), we’re shining a spotlight on the women that have made a significant impact to The Open University over the past 50 years. Jennie Lee Jennie Lee was a Scottish politician and Minister for the Arts in Harold Wilson’s government of 1964–1970. She played a leading role in creating the […]

The OU has the highest number of students declaring a mental health condition in the UK

7 March 2019

On University Mental Health Day (7 March), The Open University has announced that it has the highest number of students declaring a mental health condition across the UK (6,025), and that proportion has increased year-on-year over the past 10 years. As a proud supporter of University Mental Health Day, it’s essential that as the debate about […]

Keep reading to children into their teenage years, urge experts

5 March 2019

Only 32% of British children under 13 are read to daily by an adult, for pleasure, down 9% since 2012, according to the annual reading habits survey by Nielsen Book Research. The research also reveals that most parents stop reading to their child by the age of eight. Teresa Cremin, Professor of Literacy and a […]

Malcolm Sweeting appointed as new Pro-Chancellor

4 March 2019

The Open University has appointed Malcolm Sweeting as its new Pro-Chancellor, replacing Richard Gillingwater, who completed his term of office at the end of 2018 after 4 years in the role. A wealth of experience Malcolm Sweeting is a leading international corporate finance lawyer, a partner of Clifford Chance since 1990 and was global senior […]

Meet the Expert: Martin Weller

4 March 2019

Last month, Martin Weller, Professor of Educational Technology at The Open University delivered his inaugural lecture to an audience of over 200. As part of the OU’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Martin examined the meaning of the term ‘open’ and considered what an ‘Open University’ would look like if we were to invent it now. Martin has […]

FutureLearn to deliver digital skills programmes in new Institute of Coding initiative

25 February 2019

The Open University (OU)’s social learning platform FutureLearn is to deliver digital skills programmes as part of the Institute of Coding (IoC), a multi-million pound initiative. The FutureLearn platform, which is wholly-owned by the OU, will deliver digital skills courses from the University of Leeds, Lancaster University, Goldsmiths and the Creative Computing Institute at the University […]

Report finds an urgent need for independent regulation of social media

18 February 2019

On Monday 18 February 2019, the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee published its long awaited final report on Disinformation and ‘fake news’. The report covered an enquiry that spanned 18 months, oral evidence from 73 witnesses including The Open University, over 4350 questions and a final ‘International Grand Committee’ meeting in November 2018. Its […]

OU News