Welcome to November’s OpenMinds enews. In this issue, you can find out more about Michael Mosley’s Just One Thing, a two-part series that was filmed prior to his death. It also includes insights and updates on the latest research from your university.

You can also read about some of our inspiring students and alumni, like Eilidh, who shares how her dreams of being a teacher are becoming a reality thanks to her OU studies.

I hope you find it fascinating. 

Best wishes

Emily Rowland-Portch

Alumni Engagement Manager

The Open University

Professor Tim Blackman steps down as Vice-Chancellor

In October, following a cancer diagnosis, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Blackman, stepped down from his role earlier than planned in order to focus on his treatment.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Josie Fraser, has agreed to become Interim Vice-Chancellor. Professor Fraser will hold the interim VC role until the arrival of our next substantive Vice-Chancellor in 2025.

National Engineering Day tribute to trailblazing OU Graduate

The Open University was proud to celebrate National Engineering Day on 13 November by honouring the remarkable achievements of its alumni. In collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the OU virtually projected digital artwork onto its Walton Hall building in Milton Keynes, showcasing four inspiring engineers, including OU graduate Alice Kan. 

The virtual projection, created using the OU’s new XR Studios, highlights Alice’s journey from completing her Professional Certificate in Management in 2009 to becoming a leader in vaccine manufacturing. Alice played a crucial role in the mass production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and continues to work on vaccines for diseases such as Ebola at the Sabin Vaccine Institute. 

Five spooky stories that will have you dropping your paperback in horror

If you’re looking for something to send a shiver down your spine this season, check out the five book choices of The Open University’s Jennie Owen, Lecturer in Creative Writing. These tales include ghosts, ghouls, monsters and horror, and are guaranteed to have you checking under your bed as the nights draw in.

The Open University supports launch of University of Dyslexic Thinking

The Open University has collaborated with the charity ‘Made By Dyslexia’ to support the launch of DyslexicU, a free online university that aims to promote ‘a new school of thought’ by teaching the principles of dyslexic thinking.

DyslexicU is hosted on the OU’s Open Learn Create platform and offers a range of free courses designed to help individuals understand how dyslexic thinking works.

Sir Richard Branson, who is himself dyslexic, is one of the key contributors and shares insights into how dyslexic thinking fuels entrepreneurial success.

The Queen’s death provoked revealing study about crowd behaviour and ‘Britishness’

Research on the public mourning after the Queen’s death offers new insights on how groups or crowds of people with a shared identity – in this case ‘Britishness’ – navigate periods of change and uncertainty.

Psychologists from multiple universities across the UK including Keele University and The Open University probed how those who queued to pay their respects in London and Edinburgh collectively navigated her death.

OU grad’s birthday, graduation and proposal all in one day

In a joyful finale to The Open University’s 50th anniversary of its first-ever degree ceremony in Scotland, on Friday 25 October 2024, graduate Steven Bell, who was also celebrating his 34th birthday, took centre stage again. This time to propose to his partner of eight years, Clark Edgar.

Research shows OU graduates have the skills employers need

In a survey of 733 employers from key sectors across the UK, carried out for the OU by independent research agency The Nursery, OU graduates are praised for being adaptable, work-ready, resilient, creative, and confident.

Many employers currently working with OU graduates confirm that they have the skills, values, and behaviours that businesses need today and would consider hiring other graduates from the institution. With a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences, OU students and graduates could be the perfect addition to your workforce.

If you're an employer and want to find out more about how you can work with OU graduates, get in touch at careers-service-employers@open.ac.uk

A special two-part series Michael Mosley – Just One Thing celebrated the life and legacy of the late science broadcaster and programme maker who passed away earlier this year at the age of 67.

The OU/BBC co-production built on the success of his hugely popular Radio 4 podcast by the same name and aired in October and is available to stream on iPlayer.

Michael was making this series in the last few months of his life. It was a fitting tribute to broadcast the two completed episodes of the series, as a celebration of the huge impact he had on so many. Using Michael’s trademark journalistic style, they explore a small but powerful change that can lead to better health, echoing the themes of his beloved podcast.

The OU/BBC partnership has existed for over 50 years and if you watch one of our latest series and you’re keen to continue your learning or discover more – you can visit OU Connect. OU Connect is the home of The Open University and BBC Partnership and will encourage you to take your learning even further!

Eilidh's story: ‘Realising my dreams of becoming a teacher wouldn’t be possible without the OU’

Eilidh, 21, from Fife, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, is non-verbal and uses a device to communicate. Even with additional challenges, Eilidh has embraced a love of languages through her BA (Honours) in Language Studies degree with the OU. After learning German and French, she’s now on her way to mastering Spanish, Polish and Italian.

Emilie’s story: ‘OU study unlocked the career I’d always wanted’

For many years Emilie, 47, put her professional aspirations aside, working hard to pay the bills and be present as a mum. It wasn’t until her son completed his degree that Emilie decided it was her turn to shine, embarking on an OU degree that would unlock the career she dreamed of.

Gareth’s story: ‘The OU helped me turn my passion into a career’

Gareth from Nottingham has used his degree from The Open University to progress his teaching and music career. At just 28, he became a head of department at his local school and a principal percussionist in one of the country’s oldest and most famous brass bands.

We would love to know 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.

Where could an MBA take you?

The OU’s globally recognised MBA has been designed to elevate ambitious executives all over the world. With a focus on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, creativity and innovation, it’s suitable for those working across a whole spectrum of industries and can help take your career to the next level.

James Boyce, a British Airways pilot, used his MBA to set up an organisation dedicated to improving air travel for those with disabilities. Maria Chenoworth, the CEO of a sustainable clothing charity, found her MBA reinvigorated her passion to make positive change in the business world. And, thanks to his MBA journey, tech entrepreneur James Markey (pictured) won €10,000 at the Santander X Global awards for his business creating haptic and virtual reality simulators which are revolutionising medical education.

Unlock the world with a language short course

Ever imagined ordering lunch in Spanish or negotiating with a supplier in Chinese? Our online language short courses can help you get there. From Arabic and French to German and Italian, our flexible courses fit around your life, whether you have a few minutes a day or more time to spare.

 All of our courses follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, so you can choose the right level for you.

OpenLearn

We’ve hit a million again! That’s the amount of free course enrolments The Open University’s OpenLearn platform has clocked up over the past 12 months.

Additionally, the number of people actually registered with OpenLearn has reached an outstanding four million and that includes almost half a million new accounts.

But that’s not the only achievement. Learners have earned 51,000 digital badges in the past year, which takes the total number of badges issued by OpenLearn to more than 312,000.

If you don’t follow us on social media, please do! Just click on the icons below and join our online conversations. Your contributions help inspire the next generation of OU students and spur current students on to get to that well-deserved graduation day.

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

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

Time to treat yourself?

Our OU Students Association Shop has a range of OU merchandise for you to enjoy and proudly own as one of our alumni, from clothing, accessories, home and leisure, to stationery and jewellery. Why not have a look for yourself?