The Open University

Model-turned-activist Lily Cole spearheads mini docuseries showcasing The Open University’s pioneering social impact research

11 October 2022

In a bid to tackle some of today’s biggest societal challenges, The Open University (OU) has committed to focusing all of its research around three core pillars: sustainability, inequality and living well. To launch the new focus areas, which align with young people’s key concerns[1], the OU selected four current cutting-edge research projects to put […]

Presenter of the programme, Tommy Jessop

Tonight’s Panorama investigates deaths of people with a learning disability

7 October 2022

Tonight, a new OU/BBC programme, Panorama: Will the NHS Care for Me? airs on BBC1 at 20:00* and is available on BBC iPlayer. In this programme, co-produced by the BBC and the OU’s Broadcast and Partnerships team, Line of Duty actor and campaigner, Tommy Jessop investigates why people with a learning disability are more than […]

Black History Month: the OU’s ‘Race and Ethnicity Hub’ shows past and present ideas of race and racism

6 October 2022

The Open University’s OpenLearn is drawing people’s attention to Black History Month (BHM) through its ‘race and ethnicity hub’ to help people understand historic and contemporary ideas of race and racism. It was developed after the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and draws together a collection of existing and new free resources including articles, […]

Cost-of-living boost for OU students with chance to win £500 from Santander Universities

3 October 2022

Back for a second year running, the OU is teaming up with Santander Universities to offer 20 lucky students the chance to win £500 cash in a free draw. To enter, students need to be currently enrolled, be based in the UK, and then sign up via Santander’s Becas platform here. Enrolment is open now […]

Ukraine war: Putin announces annexation of four regions, but his hold on them may be flimsy

3 October 2022

Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody is a lecturer in politics and international studies at the OU and an expert on Russian foreign and security policy, with a particular interest in the interplay of communication, perception and security. Here’s her take on Putin in the wake of the recent annexations of Ukraine territory. Vladimir Putin has formally signed […]

Three exceptional individuals honoured at OU degree ceremony in London

30 September 2022

A disability rights campaigner, a champion of life-long learning, and a musician who is diversifying the world of classical music, all received honorary degrees from The Open University in ceremonies at the Barbican Centre. Over four thousand guests and 1,200 graduates gathered in the Grade II listed building in the City of London for four […]

International Development graduate Kieran

Career or qualifications? Chase both, says globetrotting consultant

26 September 2022

When Kieran Griffin dropped out of college at 16, he never imagined he would carve out an international career supporting communities around the world. Or that he could achieve it all while also gaining a degree with The Open University. After completing his International Studies degree while globe-trotting, Kieran, now 28, shares his story so […]

The rise and fall of Topshop. OU/BBC series lifts the lid on iconic brand’s fall from grace

26 September 2022

The story of how a huge fashion brand fell dramatically to earth is the subject of a new two-part OU/BBC co–production. Through the testimony of insiders as well as fashion and investigative journalists, Trouble at Topshop explores how the brand is transformed by a group of young, talented, and creative women, into a mecca for […]

Star Wars sustainability research: definitely not out of this world

23 September 2022

Creators of props and costumes from the Star Wars film franchise are being invited to help the film industry go greener. It’s those props from the iconic films such as Stormtrooper uniforms to other equally ubiquitous items that are the key focus of a new sustainability study, led by an Open University academic. Dr Rebecca […]

‘The OU has paved the way for my law career’

23 September 2022

OU graduate Harry Goodwin, 34, credits The Open University for helping him grow in confidence and allowing him to tailor study specifically to his needs and interests. Harry’s first-class honours BSc Open Degree has paved the way to fulfilling his dreams of becoming a solicitor. Where it all began “I had heard from work colleagues […]

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