New Centre for Protecting Women Online launches following £7.7 million grant

The OU has launched a pioneering Centre for Protecting Women Online, made possible by a substantial £7.7 million grant from Research England. Based in the Faculty of Business and Law, the Centre aims to understand and address challenges posed to women’s safety online.

The initiative follows a significant research report by Professor of Law Olga Jurasz which revealed shocking levels of online violence against women and girls in the UK.

The Centre’s official opening was on campus in Milton Keynes earlier this month. Attendees included the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Kurshida Mirza, and ElsaMarie D’Silva (Founder of the Red Dot Foundation), who discussed their own personal experiences and hopes for a close collaboration.

Professor Jurasz, who is leading the Centre, said: “Our research will not only raise awareness but will also drive real change in how we address these issues, from influencing policy and legislation to developing technology-driven solutions. We are committed to ensuring that the voices of women and girls are heard and that their experiences online are safer and more just.”

Thames Valley Police and OUBS collaborate for Black History Month

The Business School’s Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL) and Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) co-hosted a one-day conference with Thames Valley Police, a significant event held at the OU during Black History Month.

Under the theme of ‘Reclaiming the Narrative’, this in-person and online event featured a diverse range of inspiring speakers. Each shared their unique experiences as Black people in policing and other areas, discussing their challenges and how they overcame them, how they affirmed their identities and and how they inspired others to reclaim their narratives. 

CVSL Director Dr Fidele Mutwarasibo reflected on his life journey over the last 29 years and how reclaiming his narrative is critical in his teaching, research, and community engagement. Dr Keely Duddin from the OU's policing team also presented a project-based paper, 'Examining Maternity Journeys for Women of Colour in Policing'. 

Fidele spoke about what pushed him to reclaim his narrative and gave the example of the Black Leadership and Empowerment Programme (BLEP) as his pathway to helping the voiceless reclaim their narrative. 

He said: "We should not expect the minority groups to be responsible for including their narratives in the broader societal narrative; the wider society, especially people in positions of influence, should actively engage in emancipatory allyship to challenge the status quo. For too long, minorities' stories have been distorted and dismissed, causing unnecessary harm."

The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Kurshida Mirza, also attended this event, while the online audience included OU stakeholders and representatives of several police forces.

Leading through complexity in two-day conference

The first ever Business Agility Conference in the UK was hosted by the OU with 250 participants on campus in Milton Keynes over two days.

The event gathered leading thinkers and practitioners in organisational transformation to exchange knowledge and discuss the systemic improvements being implemented by leaders and managers in some of the UK's largest institutions.

Liz Moody, a Senior Lecturer in the Business School, chaired the OU track on ‘Leading Through Complexity’ which attracted more than 50 delegates including our alumni. She said: “The very positive feedback tells us there is more to do on this theme for both academics and practitioners engaged in knowledge exchange.

“From understanding how leaders can recognise and adapt to increasing complexity, to developing new ways of thinking about, communicating and engaging with stakeholders, this extends to where the OU could have a crucial role. Our multidisciplinary speakers explored the role of leaders, their emotions, how narratives and communication, diversity and appreciation of shifting boundaries and systems impact upon an organisation’s ability to adapt.”

New report sheds light on early pregnancy endings and the workplace

The Business School's Professor Jo Brewis has led a groundbreaking new report highlighting the often-overlooked subject of early pregnancy endings as a workplace issue.

Based on a survey and a series of in-depth interviews, the report reveals a troubling lack of workplace support for individuals who experience early pregnancy endings. It aims to spark changes which could lead to better support for those affected with 10 best practice recommendations for line managers and HR professionals.

Professor of People and Organisations Jo and the research team looked at the challenges faced by individuals who experience miscarriages, abortions / terminations, and other forms of pregnancy ending before 24 weeks of gestation.

She said: “This marks a critical moment in the conversation about reproductive health and workplace policy. By shining a light on the challenges faced by those who experience early pregnancy endings, we’re paving the way for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to workplace support.”

OU colleagues Victoria Newton and Katy Schnitzler worked together with Ilaria Boncori and Hamid Foroughi (both University of Essex), Julie Davies (UCL), Aimee Middlemiss (University of Plymouth) and Killian Mullan (Aston University).

The team are now exploring opportunities for further funding into related issues, such as the long-term career impacts of pregnancy endings and the effectiveness of various support interventions, to drive both academic inquiry and practical change.

Professor explores the reality of workplace diversity and inclusion

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Cinzia Priola shared her research on inclusion, diversity and inequalities in the workplace and social lives.

In the talk, ‘Including whom? Practices and consequences of inclusion and diversity’, Cinzia asked whether we really know what is meant by being inclusive in the workplace and explained that, despite workplaces becoming more diverse, there isn’t necessarily a correlation with being more inclusive. In fact, research shows that workplace inclusion is far from being achieved for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled people or ethnically diverse persons.

Cinzia, Professor of Work and Organisation Studies, discussed her research on gender and sexuality, and offered reflection points challenging definitions of inclusion to demonstrate that inclusion itself is a fragile concept, contested and ever changing.

Cinzia is shown with Prof Kevin Shakesheff, the OU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC) for Research and Innovation.

Alumni Council member profile: Dr Rajeev Gupta

Consultant Paediatrician Rajeev (pictured) combined his MBA studies over three years while treating children in hospital as his daytime job.

He then joined the Alumni Council to use his experience, scientific acumen and communication skills to shape the future of the MBA by informing our senior leaders.

Rajeev said: “The Alumni Council is more cohesive than other bodies of which I’ve been a member and I have worked with some very impressive alumni colleagues. I also enjoy the rich, sometimes informal, discussions with academics and senior staff. I have influenced the curriculum, always keeping to its high standards, and I’m currently involved in the mentoring programme which I believe will help future MBA students and alumni.”

As well as being editor of a prestigious national journal, Health Leaders Journal, Rajeev has published nearly 50 scientific papers, written 20 books and received numerous personal achievement, outstanding service and multiple clinical excellence awards (even visiting the Houses of Parliament for a healthcare leadership accolade).

He is passionate about inclusivity and, just this month, has received a national award from the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO). This is for his work on inclusion and diversity including a national campaign known as #CallMyNameRight. Rajeev added: “The OU respects each person’s identity and diversity.”

The 2-Hour Job Search for Working Professionals

Looking for a new job is never easy. Paradoxically, as we become more skilled and more senior, it often becomes harder: fewer target roles, more competition and still the frustration of online job postings that demand your time and effort but give nothing in return.

The solution is to sidestep the black hole of online job postings and network your way to referrals, interviews and jobs.

In this webinar, speaker Steve Dalton will explore precisely how working professionals can adapt this method to target mid- to senior-level jobs with the same efficient networking strategy.