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City innovation is centre stage thanks to OU and City Council partnership

Milton Keynes City Council and The Open University (OU) are once again teaming up to promote Milton Keynes as one of the world’s leading smart cities through the hugely successful MK:Smart initiative. Led by the OU and involving more than 20 organisations, MK:Smart began ten years ago to introduce large scale technology trials to Milton […]

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Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Han Suyin – the novelist whose 1950s best seller was overtaken by history

Mention ‘Love is a Many-Splendored Thing’ and you might be mistaken for talking about a song from a forgettable 1950s film, but a bestselling novel preceded them both. An Open University academic has taken a new look at the popular romance A Many-Splendoured Thing that became a worldwide hit for its author Han Suyin. Professor Alex […]

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Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

Popular music academic celebrates major anniversary of Dolly Parton song

It’s 50 years since the first recording was made of Dolly Parton’s major hit I will always love you – the hit later taken to chart-topping fame through Whitney Houston’s rendition in the film The Bodyguard. And Dr Marie Thompson, who wrote an Open University six-week short course based on the work of the country […]

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Open University Campus in Milton Keynes

Open University launches ‘Challenge Us!’ competition to tackle most pressing societal challenges

The Open University (OU) is inviting UK charities to join them in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. The Challenge Us! competition aims to bridge the gap between OU researchers and local businesses and charities, encouraging collaboration that will tackle real-world problems. The competition opens today, Friday 15 March, and runs until Wednesday 15 May 2024. […]

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Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

Open secrets of a rigged Russian election: academic expert opinion

This Friday Russia goes to the polls in a general election predicted to reinstate Vladimir Putin as leader, again. Behind the scenes will be a tried-and-tested toolkit to ensure his victory, according to Open University academic Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody – Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, who specialises in Russian information manipulation. Technically, the […]

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OU professor urges organisations to consider more supportive policies for the effects of menopause in the workplace

On International Women’s Day, Jo Brewis, Professor of People and Organisations at The Open University (OU), speaks to the OU Business School about her latest work and gives insight into the field of menopause in the workplace. At the end of last year Professor Brewis called for the scrutiny of new employment leave policies, highlighting […]

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The Open University joins £4.8 million initiative to combat economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

The Open University joins £4.8 million initiative to combat economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

The Open University (OU) is proud to announce its involvement in a £4.8 million research and policy action group, EPIC Futures NI, aimed at addressing economic inactivity in Northern Ireland. Led by Ulster University and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the initiative aims to revolutionise approaches to employment by identifying and supporting the […]

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On World Book Day find out how the OU’s Reading Schools Programme is helping more children to read for pleasure

Today is World Book Day and as children around the world excitedly mark the occasion by dressing up as their favourite literary character, or join in with special events at their school, it is important to remember that behind the buzz and excitement of the day there is an important message – to encourage more […]

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Body in the freezer – The Real CSI is back!

Body in the freezer – The Real CSI is back!

A new episode of Forensics: The Real CSI – an Open University/BBC co-production macabrely called Body in the freezer – begins this week. Find out on Sunday 10 March at 9pm on BBC Two how a decomposing body found in a freezer at a waste disposal site triggers the alarm and sees the West Midlands […]

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I run mock trials to research the legal system. The bias shown in Channel 4’s The Jury: Murder Trial is a very real problem

Academic Dr Lee John Curley is a lecturer in psychology at The Open University who conducts research into the way juries behave behind closed doors. Here, he gives his take on the findings of a new reality show about the potential bias of jurors. Channel 4 has billed its new reality show, Jury: Murder Trial, […]

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