Inaugural lectures

In his inaugural lecture on 13 February 2024, Advaith Siddharthan, Professor of Computer Science and Society in the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, discussed the impacts of modern culture's disassociation with nature and the potential for citizen science methodologies to redress these.

In her inaugural lecture on 6 December 2023, Mary Larkin, Professor of Care, Carers and Caring, explored what ‘visibility’ means for family carers through the lens of her own contributions to the care discourse and the promotion of carers’ rights and explored her own vision of family carer visibility in the future.

In her inaugural lecture, Rachel Hilliam, Professor of Statistics in the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, explored the role played by Data Science in ensuring that data is being used ethically, stored safely and analysed robustly.

Professor Anne Adams, Professor of Engaged Practice and Research at the OU’s Institute of Education Technology, delivered her inaugural lecture on: Why learners, politicians, practitioners and users are not the enemy and how to listen to them! on 13 June 2023.

Music, politics and the importance of understanding the text is a joint inaugural lecture delivered by Elaine Moohan, Professor of Musicology and Byron Dueck, Professor of Music in The Open University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, who presented their research into religious music from Scotland, England and Cameroon on Tuesday 16 May 2023.

Theo Zamenopoulos, Professor of Citizen-led design, Engineering & Innovation, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, delivered his inaugural lecture on the work and capabilities of design creatives and their contribution to addressing societal challenges.

The Open University hosted Professor Stephanie Pywell’s inaugural lecture on 6 December 2022.

The Open University hosted Professor John Butcher’s inaugural lecture on 13 September 2022.