All new professors are given the opportunity to give an inaugural lecture.
The series provides an opportunity to celebrate these achievements with each lecture representing a significant milestone in an academic's career.
Lectures are open to all University staff and students as well as to members of the public. Please see below for upcoming lectures. All lectures will be livestreamed and links will be added closer to each event.
There are currently no inaugural lectures to promote. Please keep on checking back for updates.
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.
The Open University hosted Professor Karen Olsson-Francis’ inaugural lecture on 12 July 2022.
The Open University hosted Professor Stephanie Taylor’s inaugural lecture on 14 June 2022.
In her lecture, Professor Stephanie Taylor discussed the associations of creativity, its contradictions and how we can understand the experience of being creative.
The Open University hosted Leslie Budd’s inaugural lecture on 10 May 2022.
The Open University hosted Sarah Crafter’s inaugural lecture on 30 November 2021.