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Research at The Open University

We do research differently

We've been using our research to transform lives throughout the UK and worldwide for over 50 years. In 2022 we embarked on a new research mission to address three crucial societal challenges:

  • Sustainability
  • Tackling Inequalities
  • Living Well
 Find out how in our Research Plan

Research at The Open University

Research news and articles

School children sitting at desks playing with coloured bricks, with a teacher helping them

Research into play-based learning to address the learning crisis in Africa

A new research grant is looking at how teaching teachers in Africa to adopt play-based practice could improve learning outcomes.

13th January 2023
Black background with white swirls and lights. Credit: H20/Cosmic Dawn selected by Galaxy Zoo Talk Users

OU researchers and partners release thousands of previously unseen space images

Popular citizen science project Galaxy Zoo has released 22,000 high-quality images to the public. Anyone in the world can help astronomers classify pictures taken with one of the most advanced instruments installed on one of the world's leading telescopes.

3rd January 2023
View from above of brown earth with a round crater in it

International study that reveals how Earth got its water, thanks to the OU

Results from a new global research project published in Nature Astronomy indicate asteroids brought water to Earth.

22nd December 2022
A man in a grey jumper standing on the left of two women, one with dark hair and wearing a blue top and the other with dark hair, wearing a black and white dress and a pink scarf, all holding a glass trophy

People's Choice-winning sex-trafficking survivor research recognised

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at The Open University (OU), presented Dr Margaret Ebubedike and Dr Saraswati Dawadi with The People's Choice award for their research helping sex-trafficking survivors rebuild their lives at a ceremony at the University's Milton Keynes Campus earlier this month.

20th December 2022
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