The Open University

What conspiracy theories have in common with fiction – and why it makes them compelling stories

19 December 2019

In an era dominated by “fake news” and disinformation, conspiracy theories are coming to play an increasingly influential role in modern politics. During the recent impeachment hearings in the US, for example, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill warned that “fictional narratives” pushed by Russia were undermining American security. But what’s the difference exactly […]

“I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

11 December 2019

Twenty-two years ago, Rebecca Bungay, 40, started her journey to higher education like most students, but found the road well-travelled was not for her and left university after only six weeks. Years later, determined to achieve her lifelong goal, Rebecca embarked on a degree course with the OU. Last month, Rebecca received her degree in […]

The many lives of Prue Leith

3 December 2019

To celebrate The Open University’s 50th Anniversary year, OU Honorary Graduate Prue Leith joined us for an ‘In conversation’ talk last week, led by fellow writer and Honorary Graduate Val McDermid. Speaking to the audience of OU students, alumni, partners and other members of the wider OU family, Prue described how her passion for new […]

Action needed to widen pool of apprentices

26 September 2019

The OU has today (Thursday) published a new report Access to Apprenticeships. It calls for the UK Government to help businesses further attract and recruit more disabled apprentices, through its apprenticeship programme. It comes as fresh data from the Department for Education shows the number of people starting apprenticeships in England with learning difficulties and/or […]

What’s your motivation?

25 September 2019

As the new intake of OU students embark on their first modules (and others continue with the next one) it’s timely to look at what draws these hard-working scholars to study. Why do they put in the hours to pour over pages of reading material, analyse stats, share in online debates, do home science experiments […]

OU’s Lunar scientists take a look at living on the Moon

1 July 2019

A team of UK scientists, led by The Open University, are revealing research which brings the possibility of living on the Moon much closer. The Living on the Moon! exhibit at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (1-7 July), created by a consortium of 5 UK institutions, brings together lunar research from the past 50 […]

BBC Radio 4 documentary charts history of the OU

17 May 2019

This year The Open University celebrates 50 years of revolutionising access to higher education. Marking this milestone, BBC Radio 4 is exploring the remarkable story of how the UK’s largest university came into existence, the impact it has had since 1969 and why it is continues to be vital to the fabric of society today. […]

OU’s free law clinic takes awards tech honour

3 May 2019

The Open University’s Open Justice Centre’s Law Clinic, has won the Best Legal Tech Contribution in the Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards. The centre, which offers free online legal advice led by the OU students supervised by qualified solicitors, beat a strong field to take the category title at the Houses of Parliament on […]

Funding supports Floodplain Meadows Partnership

1 May 2019

A new grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has given a fresh boost to the work of the Open University-led Floodplain Meadows Partnership. The Floodplain Meadows Partnership is an innovative project focusing on research, management, promotion and restoration of these special meadows in England and Wales. The grant of £280,000 is to support the latest […]

Photograph of a large group of people celebrating

Celebrate OU: How we’re marking our 50th

22 April 2019

It’s not every day you reach half a century and so we’re making sure we mark it properly! Up and down the country, in our nations, up mountains and in fields we’re getting ready to celebrate. There’s all sorts of activity going on, from baking cakes and fanfares to social media messaging. All of them […]

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