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Pot of coins. Photo: Josh Appel, Unsplash

Five things you need to know about: releasing trapped pension surpluses

In a bid to fuel-inject the economy and provide opportunity for growth, the UK Government is intending to announce plans to make it easier to tap into the surplus funds lying in corporate pension schemes. Following an earlier heads-up about this intention, we can expect the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reveal more in the coming […]

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OU celebrates neurodiversity week

OU celebrates neurodiversity week

To mark neurodiversity week, 17th -23rd March,  The Open University has created a hub of resources on its free online learning platform, OpenLearn, designed to educate and inspire neurodivergent learners, allies, educators, and employers. The OU has a long history of teaching neurodivergent learners, such as those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, autism, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, […]

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New Professor of Education, Policy and Practice

New Professor of Education, Policy and Practice

In 2018, there were only 25 Black women professors in the UK, compared to 12,500 white men (WHEN, Women’s Higher Education Network). Today, that number has risen to 74, with the promotion of Dr Carol Azumah Dennis, SFHEA, to Professor of Education, Policy and Practice, within The Open University’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language […]

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Reducing reoffending rates: Open University awarded UK government contract to provide education in secure environments across England and Wales

OU has been awarded a contract to continue delivering transformative HE education Education is a key aspect of rehabilitation to help end cycle of reoffending Evidence highlights the correlation between education and reducing reoffending The Open University (OU) will continue to deliver life-changing education to those serving in prisons, after successfully securing a new contract […]

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red theatre chairs

Athol Fugard: the great South African playwright who captured what it means to be human

I was shocked to learn that the famous South African writer Athol Fugard had passed away. I had known his age to be 92 but somehow I never expected him to die. He was always a survivor, says Dennis Walder, Emeritus Professor of Literature at The Open University. When I think about Fugard, the first […]

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Miscarriage bereavement leave: five things the Employment Rights Bill should consider

The Employment Rights Bill is going through the UK Parliament and is looking at workers’ rights as employees; to better protect them and ensure any changes improve these rights. Professor Jo Brewis leads a research team studying early pregnancy endings and the impact on people in the workplace. Her team welcomes the fact that the […]

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Dom, Andy, Sonia from Make it at Market (copyright Flabbergast TV Ltd/BBC)

Hobbyists unite in new series of TV’s Make it at Market

This week sees the return of the popular and award-winning series Make it at Market, which follows the fortunes of several keen entrepreneurs, hoping to turn their hobby into their livelihood. A new 15-part OU/BBC co-produced series will begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday March 3 on weekdays at 15:45 across three weeks.  […]

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Honouring Jennie Lee’s Vision: “Arts for Everyone, Everywhere”

Honouring Jennie Lee’s Vision: “Arts for Everyone, Everywhere”

Culture Secretary, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, gave the inaugural Jennie Lee lecture– Arts for Everyone – on Thursday 21 February which marked the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper. Below, Professor Josie Fraser, Interim Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, took the moment to reflect on this remarkable women and what she […]

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Ahead of Valentine’s Day criminology expert shares top tips to stay safe when online dating

It is estimated that 11 million people in the UK are dating online and with Valentine’s Day approaching, it could prompt people to try online dating apps hoping to find love. There is, however, a dark side to online dating, and according to a survey by the BBC, 33% of people aged between 18 to […]

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OU academic awarded Accelerator grant from the Wellcome trust

OU academic awarded Accelerator grant from the Wellcome trust

OU academic Dr Jenny Douglas has been selected for a prestigious Accelerator Award from the Wellcome Trust. The grant of £ 153,273 will fund research into improving Black women’s health and wellbeing in the UK. The Wellcome Trust Accelerator Awards support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to undertake activities that […]

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