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Nigel Mason

Quantum physics paves the way for new chemical products

Research by an OU molecular physicist has discovered that electrons can control chemical reactions in experiments leading to purer, cheaper chemical products.

16th October 2017
Cow’s milk … blamed for autism. Shutterstock

Why asking what causes autism is the wrong question

The animal rights charity PETA recently made a link between autism and drinking cow’s milk. The article on its website discussed research that linked a dairy-free diet with a reduction in symptoms of autism in children.

13th October 2017
Thinkstock Photos-164254376 - Aerial view, Elephant and Castle

OU student wins Research in Film Award 2017

A film made by an OU PhD Arts student about London’s Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre won a Research in Film Award at a ceremony in London on 9 November 2017.

11th October 2017
Careful crossing that road! Shutterstock

Five vital things you can’t do properly when you’re on your phone

In a recent RAC survey, 26% of UK 1,700 motorists reported using a handheld mobile phone while driving, despite it being illegal. In response, road safety charity Brake, argued that society’s phone “addiction” can have very serious consequences.

11th October 2017
ThinkstockPhotos-530411744 - Primary school in Karatara

Research to improve learning in South Africa

OU researchers have just started a four year research project to improve learning outcomes in South Africa.

10th October 2017
gidsey_, CC BY-NC-ND

It's time to modernise the UK's road rules

Is adding offences for cyclists a good place to start?

6th October 2017
satellite. Pixabay, CC BY-SA

Private companies are launching a new space race – here's what to expect

The space race between the USA and Russia started with a beep from the Sputnik satellite exactly 60 years ago (October 4, 1957) and ended with a handshake in space just 18 years later.

5th October 2017
Full moon photographed from Earth

How a new orbital moon station could take us to Mars and beyond

The dream of a human habitat in orbit about the moon came a step closer on September 27, when NASA and the Russian space agency (Roscosmos) signed up to a common vision for future human exploration.

4th October 2017
ThinkstockPhotoes-827581036 - Research scientists

OU team shortlisted for innovation and gender balance

An OU team has been shortlisted in the WISE Awards 2017 in recognition of its outstanding contributions to gender balance in science, technology and engineering, of individuals and organisations.

29th September 2017
ThinkstockPhotos-896151015 - This is an artists concept of Cassini during the Saturn Orbit Insertion (SOI) maneuver

Cassini crashes: it’s time for a new mission to explore the possibility of life on Saturn’s moons

NASA’s Cassini mission has made its “death plunge” into the swirling clouds of Saturn after 20 years of exploring the planet and its moons.

18th September 2017

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News & articles

Carol Azumah Dennis, wearing a white top and smiling at the camera

Decolonial dreams: the unmarked scholar reimagines the purpose of post-16 education

In her inaugural lecture, on Thursday 3 April 2025, Carol Azumah Dennis, Professor of Education, Policy and Practice in The Open University’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, looked at decolonising education, offering a manifesto which envisions an alternative vision of what the sector might be.

3rd April 2025
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