OU’s dual ‘high commendation’ at the Green Gown Awards 2025

The Open University (OU) has been recognised for its research excellence and societal impact at this year’s Green Gown Awards, receiving two Highly Commended honours across key categories. The OU’s innovative research platform Open Societal Challenges (OSC) was celebrated in the ‘Research with Impact’ category, while Take Five to Age Well – a collaborative initiative promoting healthier ageing – was Highly Commended in the ‘Benefitting Society’ category.

The Green Gown Awards celebrate sustainability excellence across the education sector. This year’s awards saw 112 finalists from 76 institutions shortlisted, with 23 winners and 24 highly commended.

Both highly commended projects reflect the OU’s commitment to inclusive, collaborative research that tackles some of the most pressing issues of our time, from environmental sustainability to wellbeing and social inequality.

Open Societal Challenges brings together researchers, academics, and external partners such as charities and local businesses to address complex global problems through interdisciplinary research. By connecting academic expertise with real-world needs, the platform supports projects that generate tangible benefits for communities and policymakers alike. Its work spans sustainability, health, digital inclusion, and social justice – all rooted in the OU’s mission to make knowledge accessible and impactful.

Michelle Coleman, Manager, Open Societal Challenges, attended the award ceremony on 6 November. Speaking of the commendation she said, “We’re thrilled to have received a High Commendation at the Green Gown Awards for our Challenge Us programme! This recognition highlights the incredible collaboration and creativity that went into tackling real-world challenges.

The Open Societal Challenges platform is a powerful example of how research at The Open University delivers real change. It allows our academics to work collaboratively across disciplines and with partners in the public and voluntary sectors to ensure that the knowledge we create directly improves lives.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed—your passion and commitment are driving meaningful change. Together, we’re proving that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand!”

The Take Five to Age Well campaign, led by Dr Jitka Vseteckova and developed within the OU OSC Programme, was collaboratively co-designed and co-produced with people with lived experience, topic specialists, academics, and a range of health and community organisations and supported over the years via sustained partnership with Age UK and Age Scotland, was recognised for empowering older adults to build healthier habits and stronger social connections. The initiative encourages small, manageable actions that promote physical and mental wellbeing, tackle health literacy, and transform attitudes, helping people across the UK live more active, connected lives.

Through an inclusive co-creation approach, the project has reached thousands across the UK, demonstrating how research and community engagement can work hand in hand to deliver educational interventions with a meaningful societal impact.

Dr Jitka Vseteckova, Chair of the OU Carers Research Group, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, and academic lead for Take Five to Age Well, said, “We’re delighted, as a team, to receive this prestigious recognition for the Take Five to Age Well. This High commendation highlights the power of collaboration and inclusivity in research. It’s a testament to the dedication of an incredible team, together with a long-standing commitment to co-designing interventions from the outset and capitalising on UK-wide partnerships, all while highlighting the power of small, daily actions to improve both mind and body. Our aim has always been to make healthy ageing achievable for everyone.”

The OU’s dual commendation reflects its distinctive research culture – one that prioritises collaboration, inclusion, and practical solutions to global challenges. Together, Open Societal Challenges and Take Five to Age Well exemplify how the OU continues to harness its research expertise to build a more sustainable, equitable and healthy society.