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The Open University
@openuniversity.bsky.social
850 followers 6 following 42 posts
Official account for The Open University.

Open to people, places, methods and ideas. The Open University provides high-quality university education to all.

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openuniversity.bsky.social
Vote for the OU's Open Societal Challenges (OSC) collaborative research platform in the Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025! 🏆

OSC aims to tackle some of the most important challenges of our time through impact-driven research 🔬🌏

👉 https://ke.org.uk/news/ke-awards-2025-public-vote-is-now-open/
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Congratulations to OU academic Dr Angeliki Lymberopoulou, whose image has been selected as October's research image of the month.

Read the full article: https://ow.ly/xn5250XjQPe
November 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Learning about different open research practices helps researchers understand what could work well in their context.

From AI to copyright - OU academics share ideas to help you to make your research processes and outputs more open:
https://research.open.ac.uk/open-research/helping

#OAWeek
October 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
What motivates young people to read? 📚

This weekend’s Affective Power of Reading for Pleasure conference brought together educators & literacy champions to explore just that.

Inspiring talks from Rob Biddulph, A. M. Dassu (Az) and the OU's Prof Teresa Cremin.

Thank you to everyone who joined us.
October 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Open access is a start, but do we need to do more to maintain equity?

OU academic Dr Geetha Reddy discusses whether open access is enough, and what the next steps could be:
https://research.open.ac.uk/news/open-access-start-do-we-need-do-more-restore-justice-and-maintain-equity

#OAWeek
October 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Open access is a start, but do we need to do more to restore justice and maintain equity?

OU academic Dr Geetha Reddy discusses whether open access is enough, and what the next steps could be:
research.open.ac.uk/news/open-ac...

#OAWeek
October 20, 2025 at 9:19 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
OU academics have joined forces with industry to develop a model that could make it possible to provide personalised treatments for cancer.

Researchers will simulate how cells organise in mini tumours and determine how well they have responded to treatments.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/eu9Ga_Pe
“It’s often difficult to know which cancer treatment to use to get the biggest benefit to the patient. To figure this out, different chemotherapies can be tried out on balls of cells, known as spheroids, grown from a tumour. At The Open University, we’ve developed tools for understanding tissue growth, and we want to establish how these tools can help us to improve the accuracy of identifying the best treatments.”
October 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
The Princess of Wales has recently spoke about her concerns surrounding the overuse of smartphones in family life.

OU Lecturer in Education, Dr Poppy Gibson explains how we might avoid this 👇

Discover Poppy's research: https://www.themomentmagazine.com/lifestyle/are-smartphones-rewiring-childhood/
October 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to OU academic Dr Katerina Alexiou, whose image has been selected as September's Research image of the month.

Read the full article: ow.ly/MkbX50X49fi
September 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
PhD researcher Elaine Hooton is shining a spotlight on geodiversity and calling for a shift in how we talk about the non-living foundations of our planet. Elaine shared this inspiring photo of geodiversity in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Read more 👉 research.open.ac.uk/news/giving-...
Image shoes a rocky and mossy path that runs through a mountain valley towards snowy mountain peaks and a blue sky with white clouds.
September 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
When patients understand their condition, treatments, and options, the outcomes improve and the risks decrease.

New research shines a light on the importance of clear communication and shared decision-making in cardiology services.

Learn more 👉 research.open.ac.uk/news/patient...
September 17, 2025 at 2:20 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
We are delighted that the OU has been awarded £4.9M by the UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council to lead the delivery of an exciting new approach to research skills development in the social sciences.

Read more: research.open.ac.uk/news/ou-awar...
September 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, OU academic Prof Simon Usherwood reveals what this now means for PM Keir Starmer.

#UKPolitics #Government #Politics
September 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Last night one of our academics, Dr Amber Fensham-Smith, appeared on BBC's The One Show to give to explain why more families are choosing to homeschool their children, and the potential benefits of doing so.

💡Learn more: wels.open.ac.uk/research/childrens-research-centre @ajfenshamsmith.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
One of our academics, Dr Amber Fensham-Smith will be appearing on tonight's episode of The One Show, discussing home schooling with presenter Angelica Bell 📚

You can watch Amber from 7pm and find out more about her research here: wels.open.ac.uk/research/chi...

@ajfenshamsmith.bsky.social
Dr Amber Fensham-Smith
August 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
The Mars art installation is still on campus today until 4pm, but please be aware that you’ll need to take the V10 entrance as there is a road closure in place on Groveway (H9).

#IFMKFEST
July 20, 2025 at 9:14 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Mercury’s elusive meteorites have never been conclusively identified, however, a new study by OU academic, Dr Ben Rider-Stokes, may offer the best understanding yet! The new research offers a rare window into Mercury’s formation and evolution.

👉 lnkd.in/e6DRySQ5

📸 Credit: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM
BepiColombo's closest view of Mercury. Credit: ESA/BepiColombo/MTM
June 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
We're committed to making a difference to young people from care. That's why we're proud to have teamed up with John Lewis to offer the Care Experienced Scholarship💙

If you've experienced care, this scholarship can be your stepping stone into higher education.

www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/a...
May 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Work has commenced on our first green roof research installation thanks to a collaboration between OU academics and a local Living Roof contractor.

The project represents a significant stride towards sustainable urban development!

Find out more: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/s...
Two OU scientists are at one of the rigs testing the substrate.
April 30, 2025 at 7:08 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
📣 Big news!

The OU's Professor Mahesh Anand, Professor of Planetary Science and Exploration, has been selected as the first scientist from the UK to receive Moon samples from China’s Lunar Exploration Program ⬇️

ow.ly/A5fy50VGVtX
April 24, 2025 at 9:50 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Are you eligible?

We have a range of scholarships that sit at the heart of the OU’s mission; to make higher education accessible to all, championing equity and inclusion: www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees...
The Open Futures Fund Highlighting the OU's mission to promote fairness and inclusion by offering fully funded scholarship places.
April 3, 2025 at 9:39 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
Recently promoted Professor @AzumahCarol is one of only 74 Black women professors in the UK - from more than 24,000.

Read about her career, and her experience with the 100 Black Women Professors Now programme: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/e...

#IfNotNowWHEN #100BWPN
"Of the 24,000 professors in the UK, only 74 are Black women. I am proud to be counted among them." Carol Azumah Dennis, Professor of Education, Policy and Practice
April 1, 2025 at 9:39 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
"I'm grateful to be here today."

Congratulations to Nyasha for completing a Bachelor of Science, Open. 💙
March 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
openuniversity.bsky.social
A huge congratulations to Arda-Lisa, who completed a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing! ✍️
March 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
openuniversity.bsky.social
"I'm able to do more, I can aim higher."

Huge congratulations to Alzira, who is crossing the stage in London today! 👏
March 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM