New advisory board guides the future of OU research

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A new external advisory board has been formed to advise on the future of research at The Open University (OU).

The Research Strategic Advisory Board has been formed to engage the expertise of individuals from sectors including charity, social enterprise, academia and industry to inform the direction of the OU’s Research Plan to be launched on 22 September 2022 in London in line with the University’s new strategy.

The Board has provided advice on how other organisations have improved their societal impact and how The Open University can build collaborations to further enhance our response to societal challenges.

In January, members were taken through pilot projects to test how we can help academic teams to develop their approaches in challenges focussing on sustainability, living well and tackling inequalities.

Chair of the Research Strategic Advisory Board, Martha Lane-Fox, Chancellor of The Open University said:

“The board brings a diversity of voices and experiences to inform the OU’s ability to rise to societal challenges in a way that is unique to the scale and reach of The Open University. They bring energy, perspective and challenge to us so that we can shape our solutions and play our part through our research on a global stage. Our first two meetings have focussed on projects responding to challenges in sustainability and equality, themes that are core to the OU’s mission and our new strategy.”

The full list of board members is:

  • Martha Lane-Fox, Chancellor, The Open University
  • Dr Annette Bramley, Director N8 Research Partnership
  • Jack Houghton, CEO, Half-Full
  • Sarah Jones, President of The Open University Students Association
  • Mohit Joshi, President, Infosys Ltd
  • Stephanie Laing, Citizens MK
  • Einstein Ntim, Chair of Global Startup Ecosystem
  • Professor Hywel Thomas, President, Learned Society of Wales
  • Elizabeth T Vega OBE, Group CEO, Informed Solutions
  • Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, The Open University
  • Jake Yeo, Director of Research and Enterprise, The Open University
  • Jhumar Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor, The Open University

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