The Open University

Podcasts from The Open University give a fresh perspective on the Good Friday Agreement

5 April 2023

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, The Open University in Ireland is launching a new 4-part podcast series exploring the impact the agreement has had on society beyond just politics. ‘A Peace of Us’ is hosted by Jordan Kenny, the Dromore-born BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat presenter and includes voices from […]

At chocolate time, we’ve discovered what the brands that score best on child labour and the environment have in common

29 March 2023

What distinguishes a company that makes “good” chocolate (chocolate untainted by child labour, modern slavery, deforestation and the overuse of agrichemicals) from one that merely makes chocolate? Our annual Chocolate Scorecard investigation, which is a collaboration between Be Slavery Free, Macquarie University, The University of Wollongong and the Open University, suggests it might be a mission that goes beyond making food and […]

The Open University’s scholarship fund supporting injured or disabled veterans is open for applications

22 March 2023

The Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF) provides free education at The Open University (OU) for veterans injured or disabled during military service. There are 50 places available to start study in Autumn 2023. Since it launched in 2018 the fund has awarded 262 scholarships to study at the OU and has helped veterans from a […]

‘It was my route into nursing – no boat required’

6 February 2023

Kerry Black, 30, is one of the first Nursing Associates to qualify through a partnership with The Open University and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust. Kerry shares how an apprenticeship has allowed her to pursue her NHS career dreams without having to leave her island home. “I started off at the GP surgery 10 […]

OU research student Lois in the lab at Milton Keynes

Meet the OU researcher using sunlight to create clean water

2 February 2023

When Lois Damptey left her home in Ghana to study for a PhD with The Open University, she had one clear goal: for her research to help save lives. Now in the final year of her doctorate, Lois, 30, is exploring how solar energy can be used to create a low-cost water filtration system. The […]

Sexual misconduct in the UK Parliament – research shows pathway to change

17 January 2023

A first-of-its-kind research book shines a light on the experiences of women who have been affected by sexual misconduct while working in the UK Parliament. The research looks at what could be done to create the conditions for change and gives voice to many whistle-blowers and survivors of sexual harassment who bravely shared their stories. […]

Today’s winter wonderlands have roots in Jacobean and Georgian frost fairs

22 December 2022

Dr Clare Taylor is a senior lecturer in art history at the OU – here she gives an insight into the origins of winter wonderlands and tells us how they became so popular. Skating rinks, funfairs and booths serving hot food and drink spring up across many cities in December. But these festivities aren’t a […]

OU degree is ‘on pointe’ for Scottish Ballet star

21 December 2022

An acclaimed Scottish Ballet dancer shares how she achieved her first-class Open University degree alongside a full-time career as a professional ballerina. Constance Devernay-Laurence is used to wowing audiences as a Principal dancer in Scottish Ballet. She’s now added another achievement to her bright career by completing a degree in Sport, Fitness and Coaching. “It’s […]

OU Disabled Veterans' Scholarship recipient Steven shares how studying has turned his life around

‘My scholarship was life-changing and life-saving’

29 November 2022

A military veteran who was badly injured during a rescue mission shares how education has helped him turn his life around. Steven Wilson, 46, from Dumfries, served as a Private in the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (1 Para) and put his life on the line rescuing hostages in a top-secret mission. It was during the […]

‘The OU MBA paved the way for my career success’

21 November 2022

Tillmann Henssler from Germany says The Open University has created so many opportunities in his award-winning career at pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer. “The MBA at the OU was one the best things I have done in my life,” says Tillmann, now 55 and living in Berlin. “I started studying while working as a junior manager. After […]

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