Centre for Open Thanatology

Open Thanatology playlist Playlist · Samantha Archer · 81 items · 12 saves

Have you checked out the Open Thanatology Playlist yet? What songs would you add? Let us know in the comments or via DM. #ThanatologyThursday

These are the songs I've chosen to help me prepare for dying Music can evoke powerful memories and offers a sense of normality for people dealing with illness or death.

One of our members, Sam Murphy, was quoted in this article 'The songs I've chosen to help me prepare for dying' by the BBC. What songs would you choose? #ThanatologyThursday

Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss Children experience a range of emotions during their time in primary school; however, bereavement is both unique and challenging. This book seeks to enable adults working with children to be prepared…

Today's the last day of National Grief Awareness Week. Our reading recommendation today - Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss. Co-authored by one of our members, Poppy Gibson. www.routledge.com/Supporting-B...
#grief #griefawareness

Open Thanatology Talks! Podcast | Listen on Amazon Music Welcome to Open Thanatology Talks! A podcast produced by Open Thanatology from The Open University in the United Kingdom. Open Thanatology is the Open University’s interdisciplinary research group…

Looking for a podcast to listen to? We produce Open Thanatology Talks (on Spotify and Amazon, link below), and members and colleagues also have podcasts including the Death Studies Podcast and Careful Thinking. Let us know which ones you like! #ThanatologyThursday

Patrick Wright - Exit Strategy | Broken Sleep Books In Exit Strategy, Patrick Wright crafts a vivid exploration of grief and loss, intertwining personal experience with responses to modern and contemporary art. Wright refracts bereavement through the…

Today's the first day of National Grief Awareness Week. To start the week, why not check out Patrick Wright's poetry collection - Exit Strategy? www.brokensleepbooks.com/product-page...
#GriefAwareness #griefpoetry #griefwriting

Contemporary responses in Africa to the aftermath of death: developments and decolonising challenges -- work from some of members of the Existential Dis/Connections group here at Open Thanatology. oro.open.ac.uk/104010/ #ThanatologyThursday

‘Decolonising’ ‘grief’? Death and its continuing aftermath in the UK today What do ‘we’ ‘know’ and how? (Part 1). This is the first of a two part collaboration between the University of Bath and The Open University.

Register now for ‘Decolonising’ ‘grief’? Death and its continuing aftermath in the UK today: What do ‘we’ ‘know’ and how? (Part 1*) Tuesday 2nd December 7-8pm GMT, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath, online.

Open Thanatology Hub Check out the FREE content from Open Thanatology, The Open University’s interdisciplinary research group for the study and education of death, dying, loss and grief.

Do you teach about dying, death, grief, or end of life care? Need some free resources for your class or assignments? We've got lots of great short articles, animations, and interactives you could use on our Open Thanatology Hub on OpenLearn. www.open.edu/openlearn/he... #ThanatologyThursday

Many thanks to Betsy Thomas for the wonderful review of Exit Strategy in Mortality journal @ouliterature.bsky.social @openthanatology.bsky.social @ouhealtharts.bsky.social
@brokensleepbooks.bsky.social

Ever thought about writing to work through or express your grief? Tried nature writing? Explore more in this short article - www.open.edu/openlearn/he...
#ThanatologyThursday

Open Thanatology Hub Check out the FREE content from Open Thanatology, The Open University’s interdisciplinary research group for the study and education of death, dying, loss and grief.

Do you teach about dying, death, grief, or end of life care? Need some free resources for your class or assignments? We've got lots of great short articles, animations, and interactives you could use on our Open Thanatology Hub on OpenLearn. www.open.edu/openlearn/he... #ThanatologyThursday

PhD Funding Available - see below - and the successful candidate will be a member of the Centre for Open Thanatology

It's #ChildrensGriefAwarenessWeek. One of our members (Poppy) has co-authored a new book on this topic - Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom: Helping Children Process Death, Grief and Loss. www.amazon.co.uk/Supporting-B...

Did you know that Open Thanatology is now a Centre at The Open University? We're growing our research and collaboration, both within and beyond the OU, focusing on the study and education of death, dying, loss, and grief across the life course and in diverse contexts. #ThanatologyThursday

"As a centre, we’re now better placed to invest and grow our research to inform curriculum, professional and public education, and shape policy and practices.” - @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social

"Since death and grief are not ‘just health or care’ issues, it’s paramount that institutionally we’ve been able to recognise the value of studying them through different disciplinary and lived experiences and creating a space for these perspectives to come together." - @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social

"By becoming a centre, we’re able to more adequately recognise and develop colleagues’ contributions regardless of their school affiliation or staff role, and foster the inclusive culture within Open Thanatology." - @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social

We are now officially the Centre for Open Thanatology at The Open University!!!! Here are a few quotes from the recent announcement of our Centre status from @ericaborgstrom.bsky.social as shared within the Faculty (see thread)...

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 ...

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...

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.

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

Last few tickets remaining so book yours now before they're gone!

Critical Approaches to Death, Dying and Bereavement | Erica Borgstrom, This book is the first of its kind to examine key topics in death, dying, and bereavement through a critical lens, highlighting how the understanding and

Get your own copy here:

www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/1...

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...

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 ...

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'

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...

When the skeletons won’t go home: what the law says after Halloween
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...