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Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate Researching everyday geographies module
This module equips you with the tools required to undertake an extended piece of independent research on how geographical relations shape a dimension of your everyday life. The module uses diverse scholarship on everyday geographies to walk you through the key strands of the research process and help you to identify and develop your research topic. You'll then have dedicated time to further progress, write and submit a 7000-word dissertation on that topic. Throughout, you're offered the conceptual and practical resources to recognise and address the relations of power that shape the production of academic knowledge.
This module offers you the opportunity, sensibilities, knowledge, and skills to undertake an independent investigation of how geographical relations shape a dimension of your everyday life. It culminates in the submission of a 7000-word dissertation. The module is structured primarily so that you're guided through the process of translating an initial matter of concern related to your everyday life into a geographical research question about which data can be generated, analysis undertaken, and findings produced.
The five blocks of the module are organised as follows:
Each block is structured into three teaching weeks that have been designed around a particular conversation:
For the first two-thirds of the module, your study will involve you reading a 5000-word chapter and working through a set of online materials that bring to life, build on, and extend the book material. Then, for the final third, you'll have minimal substantive new module materials to engage with so you can focus on continuing your research and generating your dissertation.
Throughout, the module is informed by an ethos that centres on the contribution of diverse geographical scholarships, especially as they help flesh out both what a careful geographical research practice might look like (and why it is so important) and how to think about the everyday relationally (and what difference that makes).
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You will be provided with the two module books and have access to a module website, which includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
D325 is a compulsory module in our:
D325 is an option module in our:
Researching everyday geographies starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This is an OU level 3 dissertation module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2 and should be studied as part of a qualification.
Normally, you should have successfully completed OU level 1 and level 2 modules that contain a substantial Geography component before you study D325. Studying Environment (U116) and either Investigating the social world (DD103) (now discontinued) or Global challenges: social science in action (D113) is recommended. Also, the OU level 2 modules Environment and society (DD213) and Changing geographies of the United Kingdom (D225).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, especially if you have not successfully completed Changing geographies of the United Kingdom (D225), please contact an adviser.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying D325 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
StartEndRegister byEngland fee
03 Oct 202630 Jun 202710 Sep 2026£4,088
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