The OU/BBC production, presented by Sir David Attenborough, is a masterpiece. If you're a fan of the series, we would love to send you a free poster. Find out how you can get yours further down in the newsletter.

We are delighted to announce the OU's OpenSTEM Labs have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize. From virtual microscopes and wind tunnels on the OU’s Milton Keynes campus to observatories in Tenerife, our students have access to quality laboratory facilities at the touch of a button. It is wonderful to see OU innovation honoured in this way.

Continuing with the theme of celebrating excellence, huge congratulations to OU alumna, Jane Green, who has been awarded an MBE for her incredible work as founder of SEDSConnective, a volunteer and user-led neurodivergent and symptomatic hypermobility health charity.

And finally, find out about our forthcoming fundraising campaign (launching a week today) to raise funds for our Disabled Veterans' Scholarships Fund and read about a wonderful project led by the OU in Wales that is helping Welsh communities connect with their heritage.

Thank you for being such a valued member of the OU family.

The Open University’s OpenSTEM Labs awarded Queen’s Anniversary Prize

The Open University has been awarded a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its OpenSTEM Labs initiative. The OpenSTEM Labs are online laboratories that allow students from anywhere in the world to participate in authentic experimental work, acquiring real data interactively as if they were in the laboratory.

Sir David Attenborough explores the natural world’s history in landmark OU/BBC series, Planet Earth III

Planet Earth III was filmed over the course of nearly five years, making use of pioneering film-making technology to reveal the greatest wonders of life on earth. OU academics Dr Miranda Dyson and Dr Vicky Taylor were closely involved in the development of the series, providing expert insight and advice on the biology, ecology and behaviour of animals shown in the series. To order a free poster, pop your details in here.

Watch Planet Earth III on iPlayer.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023

Scholarships are at the heart of the OU’s mission to make education accessible to all. Together, we are breaking down barriers to education, ensuring everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to pursue their ambitions.

The 28 November sees the launch of the Big Give Christmas Challenge. We are aiming to raise £36,000 for our Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund. The first £18,000 of donations received will automatically be doubled through match funding.

Image: Gregg Stevenson, 24 Royal Engineer Commando Veteran and OU scholarship graduate

El Niño may be drying out the southern hemisphere – here’s how that affects the whole planet

Kevin Collins is a Senior Lecturer in Environment and Systems at The Open University. In this article, he gives his academic opinion on what effect the drying of the southern hemisphere will have on the rest of the planet. It is a well-known fact that water is the key to life on Earth. But it is less well known that only about 1% of all water on the planet is fresh water available to humans, plants or land-based animals.

Helping Welsh communities connect with their heritage

Earlier this year, The Open University in Wales received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for a heritage project, Wales REACH (Residents engaging in arts, culture and heritage). Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on supporting people in five areas of Wales to use creative arts to explore connections with the history of their local community.

OU alumna awarded MBE at Windsor Castle

OU alumna, Jane Green, has been awarded an MBE for her work as founder of SEDSConnective, a volunteer and user-led neurodivergent and symptomatic hypermobility health charity.

The prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire recognises Jane’s services to more than 5,000 Neurodivergent impacted charity members, many of whom are Autistic, have ADHD, Dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome plus more and Joint Hypermobility conditions including Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (connective tissue disorders).

Local & Global, a magazine for new debates

Local & Global is a magazine for fresh ways of thinking. Written and compiled by staff and students within the OU's School of Social Sciences and Global Studies, you’ll find ideas on the world we live in, as well as teaching and research highlights.

The magazine contains a rich selection of content; issues and debates across the UK and around the world. There’s also news of current research projects, OU/BBC broadcasts, our students and much more.

You only need a few hours a week to study a short course with The Open University. Choose from a range of subjects that can help you build new skills, discover a new hobby, or give your career a boost through continued professional development. 

Creating a successful and sustainable business

In this OU short course, you will learn about the approaches and methodologies for sustainable business and how to implement a sustainable impact for positive change. Improved forms of sustainable business design and innovation are key drivers to positive change in the world around us. This course will give you the knowledge, latest thinking, optimised tools, methodologies and mindset to be a positive changemaker in the world.

This course begins as soon as you register.

Travel writing

This online short course introduces you to the rich, dynamic and constantly developing genre of travel writing. You’ll explore how travel writing can take you on a journey as a reader to places you have visited, may intend to see, or know that you never will. You’ll understand how travel writers bring their journeys to life for their readers and learn to write about a journey of your own.

This course begins on 3 February 2024.

Explore the wide range of paid short courses we have available.

Careers and Employability Services at The Open University

If you're a new member of the OU's Alumni Association, did you know the OU Careers and Employability Services are here to help you explore your options, plan and work towards your career or personal goals and support you with searching and applying for opportunities? Support is available for up to three years after you graduate.

If you completed your studies with us over three years ago, we still have lots of information that can be accessed without an OU student login. You can get help with your CV and preparing for job interviews, find out the range of careers your degree can lead you to or even increase your career confidence.

Have you visited your alumni website recently? If not, why not have a look today? Here you will find information on events, downloadable versions of all of our fantastic magazines and ways to keep in touch.

Here's a reminder of your PI number if you would like to register: 

If you don’t follow us on social media, please do! Just click on the icons below and join our online conversations.

What inspired you to become a student? Did you have any extraordinary moments while studying? Has completing your qualification changed your life or helped you discover a new self-confidence?

We want to hear from all OU alumni of different ages and experiences, identities and backgrounds, diverse ethnicities and cultures, abilities and disabilities, mental and physical health conditions and intersectionalities.

Please get in touch and share your story with the rest of the OU community.

Did you know, the OU has the largest alumni community in the UK? Thanks for being part of it!

Don't forget, our Open University Students Association Shop has a whole range of OU merchandise for you to enjoy and proudly own as one of our alumni, from clothing, accessories, home and leisure, to stationary and jewellery. There is something for everyone.