The Open University

Open University research drives new Pet Abduction law

27 September 2024

A landmark piece of legislation has come into force, recognising pet theft as a specific crime for the first time. The Pet Abduction Act 2024 aims to address the emotional distress experienced by stolen pets and their owners. The new law was informed by research conducted by Dr Helen Selby-Fell, Senior Lecturer in Policing Organisation […]

Gregg and rowing partner Lauren wearing Team GB kit, smiling at the camera with Paralympic Gold medals around their necks.

‘The OU empowered me to learn my way,’ says Paralympic Gold medallist Gregg Stevenson

18 September 2024

On the back of his incredible gold medal race with rowing partner Lauren Rowles, Sports, Fitness and Coaching graduate Gregg Stevenson took time out of his celebrations to share his inspirational story with The Open University community. After a traumatic incident when serving as a Royal Engineer Commando, Gregg struggled to come to terms with […]

Open University launches funding opportunity to support disabled entrepreneurs

12 September 2024

The Open University’s (OU) brand new Open Business Creators Fund for Disabled Entrepreneurs is now open. £25,000 in total funding is being offered from the OU to help disabled individuals in the UK kickstart their business ideas. This opportunity has been launched in collaboration with Scope, the UK’s leading disability equality charity, to support disabled […]

‘OU study unlocked career opportunities I never imagined were possible’

11 September 2024

When Law student Thomas, 38, left the British Army, he had no idea what his future would look like. Now in the final year of his Open University (OU) degree, Thomas has secured a prestigious training contract with world leading law firm, Freshfields LLP, providing a dream start to his career in law. Thomas shares […]

OU report highlights benefits of Employee Ownership for sustainable food and farming

10 September 2024

A new report from The Open University, in collaboration with Riverford Organic Farmers and Sustain, explores how employee ownership can address the complex challenges facing the food and farming sector. The report, titled ‘Managing employee ownership transitions for sustainability in food and farming enterprises: Learning from Riverford’, delves into the case of Riverford Organic Farmers, […]

Why not knowing what to do isn’t always a bad thing for leaders

6 September 2024

Lecturer in Work-based Learning at The Open University, Sarah Bloomfield, and Clare Rigg from Lancaster University write for The Conversation about why not knowing what to do isn’t always a bad thing for leaders. In 2002, after a Pentagon news briefing, the then US secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld was widely ridiculed for his thoughts about […]

Kyle looking aside from the camera, smiling with floral wallpaper behind him.

‘My confidence is the best it’s ever been, thanks to the OU’

29 August 2024

Hampered by low confidence, Kyle, 36, rejected the place he was offered at a campus university, despite his lifelong dream of achieving a degree. Now studying Arts and Humanities at The Open University (OU), Kyle shares how a promise to his late nan gave him the strength to fulfil his potential and unleash an insatiable […]

OU research identifies key areas for improving trans healthcare in the UK

28 August 2024

A new study published today and led by The Open University (OU) has identified significant areas for improvement in the care for transgender adults within the NHS. The report, titled ‘Improving the integration of care for trans adults: ICTA a mixed-methods study’, has been published in the journal Health and Social Care Delivery Research by […]

New OU/BBC documentary looks back at the career of Linford Christie

22 July 2024

A new OU/BBC documentary ‘Linford’ looks back at the extraordinary career of one of Britain’s most successful athletes, Linford Christie. Airing on 25th July at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer, ‘Linford’ delves into the life of the man who was once the most feted athlete in Britain until his career closed with a scandal […]

Princess on the set of the OU's game show Smartest in their Space, looking and smiling at the camera.

‘OU study is making a difference to my business already’

18 July 2024

Surrounded by a family of academics, freelance artist and Open University (OU) student Princess, 26, was determined to revisit higher education having struggled to find the right study path after she left school. As the first year of her Design and Innovation degree draws to a close, Princess shares how OU study has “broadened her […]

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