The Open University

There's two weeks until Open Research Week 2026 🔬

Open Research Week is a cross‑institutional programme championing the practices, skills and culture that make research more transparent, collaborative and impactful 🧑‍🔬💭

Learn more: https://research.open.ac.uk/events/open-research-week-2026

For 50+ years, The Open University and BBC have co-produced inspiring content 📺 Explore free learning on OU Connect: https://connect.open.ac.uk/ #OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity #OUconnect #BBC

Sixty years ago, Jennie Lee's vision created The Open University 🎓 Welcoming all backgrounds, millions have started life-changing journeys. #OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity #OU60 💙

Studying during Ramadan can feel like a challenge. We asked our community to share the tips that help them stay focused while fasting and here are their best ideas to support you through the month 🌙

#OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity #Ramadan

Why does real power lie in our communities and how can we reconnect people who feel politically unheard? 💭

Dr Dan Taylor explains how a new model of democracy can help policymakers, councils and institutions move beyond short-term, top-down interventions 📢

Learn more ▶️ https://ow.ly/1unR50YgYSJ

OU student Abbie often gets asked whether distance learning means sacrificing a social life, but here’s why the truth is quite the opposite! 👩🏻‍💻

Kickstart your journey and explore our courses 👉 https://ow.ly/WWZB50YgxOi

#TheOpenUniversity #OUfamily #StudentLife

We asked our community to share their desk setups! Share your study setups with us by joining our Instagram broadcast channel: https://ow.ly/x1m950YenKy

and maybe we will feature you next time (bonus points if pets are featured 👀)

#OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity

Ready to control your future? ⏰ Study anytime, anywhere! 📚✈️ Boost your employability with our courses and support. Search "Open University" now! 💙 #OU #OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity #University #uni

Prof Olga Jurasz and Research Fellow Leyla Buran, from the OU's Centre for Protecting Women Online say safer internet should be grounded in prevention, not reaction.

They argue for governments, regulators and platforms to reflect on what online safety should look like 👉 https://ow.ly/q5FG50YckyQ

What is neurodiversity? Dr Poppy Gibson, OU Lecturer in Education, explains 👇

Over the next few weeks, OU experts will share practical advice for parents and educators supporting neurodivergent children.

More: https://ow.ly/p8rF50YbygM

#Neurodiversity #TheOpenUniversity

For Time to Talk Day, the OU’s Dr Felicitas Rost shares practical ways to begin conversations that can ease pressure, build understanding, and support wellbeing at work and in everyday life. O

If you need support while at the OU, we are ready to help: https://help.open.ac.uk/mental-health-support

New OU starters 👋 this one’s for you!
If you’re beginning your studies this week, drop a comment and tell us why you've started studying with the OU 💙

And to our current students: pop by, say hello, and share a few words of encouragement or advice.

#OUfamily #TheOpenUniversity

To honour Jennie Lee’s legacy, Milton Keynes City Council has appointed sculptor Andy Edwards to create a new statue celebrating the visionary behind the 1966 White Paper that founded The Open University. Unveiling in 2026. 🔗 https://ow.ly/9Hip50Y7u3j #OUfamily #OpenUniversity

Flexible learning. Real-world skills. Entrepreneurial thinking.
Meet Elijah - OU Business Management student, award winner and co-owner of Liz Pie Pastry, building his future while studying online.

This is studying like an entrepreneur.: https://youtu.be/DBt68-n6eJc?si=aZfFYIiw7fvL1Mir

This week we hosted an event launching the ESRC-funded Research Capability Hub 🔬

The event introduced the vision for the Hub, outlining the work underway, and invited social science researchers to help shape the next phase of development.

Learn more 👉 https://ow.ly/tOzB50Y5ZEB

Why does an ageing population matter and how can people age well?

OU research shows how small, sustainable daily actions can help older adults build healthier habits later in life 🍊🏸

Learn more about our OU-led public health initiative and watch the full video on YouTube ▶️https://ow.ly/bz1S50Y5smV

This is what it really means to Study Like A Performer! 💃🎤

Whether you’re a psychology student, performer, or someone balancing work and study, Freya’s approach proves that transferable skills can shape a powerful career path.

Start your journey here: www.open.ac.uk/courses

YouTube video by The Open University Study Like A Performer | How Freya Balances Performing and Psychology to Become a Psychiatrist

▶️ Watch the full video on YouTube: youtu.be/XQxPx37kz3o

💻 Sign up for an Open University course and start your journey: www.open.ac.uk/courses

#StudyLikeAPerformer #OUfamily

Congratulations to Professor Teresa Cremin Co-Director of the OU's Literacy and Social Justice Centre Reading for Pleasure (The Open University), who has been awarded a CBE for ‘services to education’ in the New Year Honours list announced by the King.

More: https://ow.ly/2xSo50XNEfL

@openarc.bsky.social

Did you know the Romans had their own version of a tablet? 👀🏛️

Dr @shaftowheed.bsky.social reveals all!

#DidYouKnow #OUresearch

🧠 Did you know fruit flies have surprisingly dramatic love lives?

Our new video series kicks off with a Dr Anood Sohail, Lecturer in Precision Medicine, revealing how these tiny romantics court each other. ✨

#DidYouKnow #OUresearch

"An OU degree is more than a qualification - it’s proof of your resilience, dedication, and belief in yourself."

Alex took the leap, invested in her growth, and achieved more than she ever thought was possible ⭐️

Read her story here: https://ow.ly/CLlm50UcJjb

Stijn Baes (left) and Professor Bart Rienties (right) receiving their awards from the Koninklijke Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen

OU academic Prof Bart Rienties has been honoured for saving a fellow athlete from drowning during the World Transplant Games triathlon this year!

Read more here: https://research.open.ac.uk/news/ou-professor-honoured-after-rescuing-drowning-fellow-transplant-athlete

The Open University

Did you know that @openuniversity.bsky.social currently works in over 150 prisons and supports around 2000 students a year in prison, secure units and under licence in the community?

Higher education changes lives. See more of the work The Open University are doing⬇️

www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/b...

Dog activated. Human approved. 🐾

Our new Dogosophy Button allows your dog to switch home appliances on and off by nudging or pawing a blue pad tailored for their snout-level skills, all thanks to thanks research led by OU academic Professor Clara Mancini.
https://ow.ly/pp5C50XtCv7

There are three days left to vote for the OU's Open Societal Challenges (OSC) collaborative research platform in the Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025! ⏰

Learn more about the OU's research projects and cast your vote 👉 https://ke.org.uk/news/ke-awards-2025-public-vote-is-now-open/

#Research

Can poverty be eradicated without growth?

Professor Olivier De Schutter will present an alternative roadmap to current and previous approaches to this theme and put out a call for action rather than optimism 👉 https://research.open.ac.uk/events/eradicating-poverty-without-growth-can-it-be-done

Have you heard the news? 👀

We're thrilled to share that an OU-led project supporting the education of adolescent girls at the greatest risk of exclusion in Zimbabwe won the International Collaboration of the Year category at the #THEAwards 2025.

https://ow.ly/EO3I50XrEMp

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/