The Open University

OU academics get funding for Mars research

15 September 2021

Martians may be the preserve of 20th Century science fiction writers but planetary scientists are still fascinated with Mars and the possibility that primitive life-forms once existed – and if evidence of that remains today. Now two Open University academics have been awarded combined funding of over £200,000 to help unlock the secrets of the […]

OU astronomer part of international team that captures galaxies in ultra-high definition

18 August 2021

An international team of astronomers have published the most detailed images ever seen of galaxies beyond our own, revealing their inner workings and black-hole activity in unprecedented detail. The images were created from data collected by the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a network of more than 70,000 small antennae spread across nine European countries. The […]

OU’s teaching excellence recognised by national award

6 August 2021

Dr Victoria (Vic) Pearson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Physical Sciences at The Open University, has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in the 2021 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS). The NTFS recognises excellence in teaching and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. Vic has […]

OU research finds human impacts on monsoon rainfall could exceed natural changes over last 30 million years

30 June 2021

A study by a team from the Open University (OU) has had its findings published in leading science journal Nature Communications Findings at a glance Study shows that the long-term evolution of East Asian Monsoon rainfall was driven by the rising Himalayas, but Indian Monsoon rainfall is sensitive to a complex mix of drivers, with […]

Award success for OU degree apprentices

17 June 2021

Five apprentices studying for degree apprenticeships through The Open University (OU) have been awarded a Certificate of Merit at the prestigious Tech Industry Gold Apprenticeship Awards from TechSkills, The awards recognise the achievements of apprentices on Tech Industry Gold degree apprenticeships and were presented at a virtual ceremony, (Wednesday 16th June 2021) which was attended […]

TV cameras capture building of Britain’s biggest nuclear power station

2 June 2021

A new series co-produced by the BBC and The Open University offers viewers a fascinating insight into the ambitious construction of Britain’s new nuclear power station, Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Building Britain’s Biggest Nuclear Power Station begins on Wednesday 2nd June at 9pm on BBC Two. The four-part series follows the engineers, technicians and […]

OU PhD student is asking the public to get involved in a unique tree study in Milton Keynes

27 May 2021

Trees are vital for our towns and cities. They make them more sustainable, attractive and healthy places to be. But urban trees are constantly under threat, with less access to water, soil and room to grow. These threats can hamper tree health, slow their growth and eventually kill them. Experts aren’t entirely sure why some […]

Mars: how Ingenuity helicopter made the first flight on another planet

20 April 2021

Written by Monica Grady, Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences, The Open University Imagine that you are flying a model helicopter or a drone. You are there with the auto controls. You switch them on. The rotors start to turn, gradually increasing their spin. You watch, then push the control for lift. Your helicopter rises, hovers, […]

Funding award supports OU partnership to protect climate and restore floodplain meadows

22 March 2021

The OU’s Floodplain Meadows Partnership has won a substantial grant from Ecover to help restore and protect 50 hectares of floodplain meadows along the banks of the River Thames in Oxfordshire. The team, which includes scientists from the OU and partners; Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust and Long Mead Local Wildlife Site, will work […]

Ice, sand and the spiders from Mars in the laboratory

19 March 2021

Open University researchers have recreated the formation of spider-like patterns on Mars in their laboratory, which provides the first physical evidence that these features can be formed by a unique process unlike anything seen on Earth. In a paper published in Nature Scientific Reports, led by OU Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dr Lauren McKeown, the team […]

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