News & articles

Advaith Siddharthan, with long, dark hair, wearing glasses and a light blue shirt

How society ought to engage with nature, science and technology

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.

12th February 2024

Woman with short, blonde, hair, with the sea in the background

OU research calls for improved support around self-managed abortions

OU researchers are highlighting the importance of social connectedness for those undergoing self-managed abortions in the UK.

9th February 2024

Girl with long, ginger hair wearing headphones

Sexism permeates every layer of the music industry – new report echoes what research has been saying for years

The landmark Misogyny in Music report from British MPs on the women and equalities committee, published on January 30, shines an unsettling light upon the gender discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse which is rampant across the music industry.

5th February 2024

Jesper Skottfelt, wearing blue overalls and a plastic hat, standing in front of space equipment in a lab

OU researchers receive more funding to map the dark Universe

A team of OU researchers have received just over £116,000 from UK Space Agency to map the dark Universe.

2nd February 2024

Young woman wearing a beige coloured playsuit, dancing in a corridor, with plants and lights on the wall behind her

Research finds that online dance classes improve accessibility to physical activity for unpaid carers

Research has found online dancing for unpaid carers in the UK to be feasible, accessible and encouraging for carers to start making more time for themselves.

2nd February 2024

The back view of a person wearing a blue shirt, sitting at a table, looking at a laptop

OU research informs “Relaxed Tutorial” model for HE sector

Open University (OU) researchers have developed a new “Relaxed Tutorial” model which offers a more accessible learning experience to neurodivergent students and students with anxiety.

31st January 2024

A person looking at data on a mobile phone, with a woman sitting on a sofa in the background

OU research calls for further exploration of assistance technologies

Researchers are calling for further exploration of remote sensing technologies designed to support the independence of older adults in their daily activities.

23rd January 2024

The slider, a rectangular white mat with the words 'Slide to Smile' and three blue smiley faces printed on it

OU research supports knee patient surgery

One of the OU’s Open Societal Challenges under the Living Well theme, has led to the development of a new physiotherapy device.

19th January 2024

Woman with her head in her hands, looking at a laptop

The Open University awarded £7.7m to protect women and girls online

Researchers at The Open University (OU) have been awarded £7,730,000 from Research England to create a new centre for protecting women against violence online.

16th January 2024

Man wearing a blue t-shirt, with his head in his hand, reading a book, with a pile of books on the table next to him

PhD students’ mental health is poor and the pandemic made it worse – but there are coping strategies that can help

A pre-pandemic study on PhD students’ mental health showed that they often struggle with such issues. Financial insecurity and feelings of isolation can be among the factors affecting students’ wellbeing.

10th January 2024

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