Centre for Open Thanatology
@openthanatology.bsky.social
The Centre for Open Thanatology is the Open University’s interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the study & education of death, dying, loss, & grief across the life course & in diverse contexts. Directors: Prof Erica Borgstrom & Dr Joanne Jordan.
Interested in doing a PhD? The OU is currently advertising its Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships. Closing date is noon on Jan 7th 2026. Find out more: university.open.ac.uk/employment/g...
The Open University
Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership StudentshipsThe Open University Stipend: Approximately £20,780 per annum Closing Date: Midday – Wednesday 7th January 2026Interview date: Early February ...
university.open.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Interested in doing a PhD? The OU is currently advertising its Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships. Closing date is noon on Jan 7th 2026. Find out more: university.open.ac.uk/employment/g...
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
If you're local to Dumfries, join us on Nov 25th to discuss death and grief. Tickets are free but registration is required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Opening Conversations On Assisted Dying, Death and Grief
A joint Open University in Scotland and University of the West of Scotland event, where assisted dying, death and grief will be explored.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
If you're local to Dumfries, join us on Nov 25th to discuss death and grief. Tickets are free but registration is required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
New OpenLearn article - Building peace through teaching Remembrance Sunday.
You can read it here:
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
#ThanatologyThursday #RememberanceSunday
You can read it here:
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
#ThanatologyThursday #RememberanceSunday
November 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
New OpenLearn article - Building peace through teaching Remembrance Sunday.
You can read it here:
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
#ThanatologyThursday #RememberanceSunday
You can read it here:
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
#ThanatologyThursday #RememberanceSunday
Last few tickets remaining so book yours now before they're gone!
If you're local to Dumfries, join us on Nov 25th to discuss death and grief. Tickets are free but registration is required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Opening Conversations On Assisted Dying, Death and Grief
A joint Open University in Scotland and University of the West of Scotland event, where assisted dying, death and grief will be explored.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Last few tickets remaining so book yours now before they're gone!
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
Happy Halloween! Last treat from our suite of new OpenLearn articles: Mastering our fear of death with the Jack-o’-lantern
www.open.edu/openlearn/hi...
www.open.edu/openlearn/hi...
October 31, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Happy Halloween! Last treat from our suite of new OpenLearn articles: Mastering our fear of death with the Jack-o’-lantern
www.open.edu/openlearn/hi...
www.open.edu/openlearn/hi...
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital www.open.edu/openlearn/en... #ThanatologyThursday
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Imagine you’re a parent and your child is dying or has died in a hospital. How could the hospital and staff best support you? Drawing on the insights of parents, Walking the Walk has adapted to ...
www.open.edu
October 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Enabling parents to improve children’s services: Walking the Walk in Evelina London Children’s Hospital www.open.edu/openlearn/en... #ThanatologyThursday
And if you want to find resources by Open Thanatology members, you can browse ORO and refine by 'Open Thanatology'
Why deposit your research in Open Research Online (ORO)?
✔️ Meet OU’s Code of Practice
✔️ Share work freely across the globe
✔️ Boost visibility, readership and citations.
Depositing isn’t just required - it maximises impact. Start today 👉 https://ow.ly/RyhE50XcXyy
#OpenAccessWeek
✔️ Meet OU’s Code of Practice
✔️ Share work freely across the globe
✔️ Boost visibility, readership and citations.
Depositing isn’t just required - it maximises impact. Start today 👉 https://ow.ly/RyhE50XcXyy
#OpenAccessWeek
October 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
And if you want to find resources by Open Thanatology members, you can browse ORO and refine by 'Open Thanatology'
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
SPEAKING OF WHICH, COME AND LISTEN TO ME BANG THIS PARTICULAR DRUM FOR A FULL HOUR NEXT WEEK
Our member @sophiemhistory.bsky.social is speaking at Werrington NEXT WEEK on the development and impact of the railway on Victorian Peterborough.
Come along if you can!
Come along if you can!
October 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
SPEAKING OF WHICH, COME AND LISTEN TO ME BANG THIS PARTICULAR DRUM FOR A FULL HOUR NEXT WEEK
How to celebrate Halloween with young children -- new article on OpenLearn with some practical and inclusive tips
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
October 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
How to celebrate Halloween with young children -- new article on OpenLearn with some practical and inclusive tips
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
www.open.edu/openlearn/ed...
When the skeletons won’t go home: what the law says after Halloween
www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
October 28, 2025 at 9:53 AM
When the skeletons won’t go home: what the law says after Halloween
www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
Ever wonder if trick-or-treating is legal or not in the UK? In a new OpenLearn article, Marc Cornock weighs in. www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
October 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Ever wonder if trick-or-treating is legal or not in the UK? In a new OpenLearn article, Marc Cornock weighs in. www.open.edu/openlearn/so...
New short article out now! -- Between life and death: what Halloween reveals about our fear of the afterlife -- www.open.edu/openlearn/he...
October 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
New short article out now! -- Between life and death: what Halloween reveals about our fear of the afterlife -- www.open.edu/openlearn/he...
In the lead-up to Halloween, #ThanatologyThursday treats will be peppered throughout the week. Keep an eye out for new OpenLearn articles by Open Thanatology members, and let us know what you're curious about this time of year.
October 23, 2025 at 10:53 AM
In the lead-up to Halloween, #ThanatologyThursday treats will be peppered throughout the week. Keep an eye out for new OpenLearn articles by Open Thanatology members, and let us know what you're curious about this time of year.
This may be of interest to @openthanatology.bsky.social folk!
Researching a legal moment that was supposed to change everything - whether it did or not? The call for papers for 'Moments of Rupture' is open until 23 October!
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
Free, online conference in November, hosted by the Open Universities legal histories research cluster.
#LegalHistory #cfp
The Open University
Moments of Rupture Online 20-21 November 2025Some legal and social changes are so profound that they create what seem to be moments of rupture: breaks between the ‘before’ and ‘after’. These moments c...
law-school.open.ac.uk
October 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This may be of interest to @openthanatology.bsky.social folk!
One of our members, Korina, has written about the narrative practices of death, dying and mourning in her recent book chapter. oro.open.ac.uk/102428/ #ThanatologyThursday
oro.open.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:53 AM
One of our members, Korina, has written about the narrative practices of death, dying and mourning in her recent book chapter. oro.open.ac.uk/102428/ #ThanatologyThursday
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
Still time to register for an in-person evening of conversation about death and dying in Dumfries on Nov 25th - looking forward to meeting some of you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
Opening Conversations On Assisted Dying, Death and Grief
A joint Open University in Scotland and University of the West of Scotland event, where assisted dying, death and grief will be explored.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Still time to register for an in-person evening of conversation about death and dying in Dumfries on Nov 25th - looking forward to meeting some of you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/opening-co...
The bitter taste of death: mourning for the young in ancient Rome --- intrigued? Read more by Valerie Hope on ORO. oro.open.ac.uk/104224/ #ThanatologyThursday
oro.open.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 10:53 AM
The bitter taste of death: mourning for the young in ancient Rome --- intrigued? Read more by Valerie Hope on ORO. oro.open.ac.uk/104224/ #ThanatologyThursday
And we all know there's a lot of death and grief in drama! OU staff and students have access to amazing performances filmed at the Globe.
October isn’t always kind to open-air theatre! 🌧️ However, OU students and staff can stream 30 Shakespeare plays filmed live at the Globe via Drama Online... with no umbrella needed! 🎭☂️
Start the show 👉 www-dramaonlinelibrary-com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/shakespeares... (OU login req.)
Start the show 👉 www-dramaonlinelibrary-com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/shakespeares... (OU login req.)
October 7, 2025 at 11:20 AM
And we all know there's a lot of death and grief in drama! OU staff and students have access to amazing performances filmed at the Globe.
Still some time to register and find out how to do a doctoral degree with at The Open University in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (which hosts Open Thanatology). More details below.
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Still some time to register and find out how to do a doctoral degree with at The Open University in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (which hosts Open Thanatology). More details below.
Did you go to DDD? A few Open Thanatology members were there, and the @deathstudiespod.bsky.social is co-hosted by one of our members, the one and only Beth Michael Fox!
Re-live DDD17 through our special conference episode!
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
DDD17: The 2025 Death, Dying and Disposal Conference
open.spotify.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Did you go to DDD? A few Open Thanatology members were there, and the @deathstudiespod.bsky.social is co-hosted by one of our members, the one and only Beth Michael Fox!
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
Re-live DDD17 through our special conference episode!
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
DDD17: The 2025 Death, Dying and Disposal Conference
open.spotify.com
October 4, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Re-live DDD17 through our special conference episode!
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
The episode includes a myriad of soundbites from attendees including @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social @lucyhyde.bsky.social @katewoody.bsky.social @hoodcp.bsky.social and many more!
@ddd17-2025.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/2AX2...
Co-authored by one of our members - From Writing to Doing: Strategies for Approaching Loss, Dying and Grief in Auto/Biographical Writing. oro.open.ac.uk/103894/ #ThanatologyThursday
The Open University
oro.open.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Co-authored by one of our members - From Writing to Doing: Strategies for Approaching Loss, Dying and Grief in Auto/Biographical Writing. oro.open.ac.uk/103894/ #ThanatologyThursday
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Want to do a doctoral degree with us? Join a postgraduate open day to learn about the different degree opportunities, funding, and how to apply. Next one: 16th October 2025 (10-15.30 UK time - Online via MS Teams) Register via email to WELS-PGRs@open.ac.uk
Reposted by Centre for Open Thanatology
New open access handbook including my chapter “Homing in on societal changes in meanings around place of death”
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-o...
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-o...
www.elgaronline.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
New open access handbook including my chapter “Homing in on societal changes in meanings around place of death”
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-o...
www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-o...