Business School success in teaching awards

Colleagues in the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) were spotlighted in the OU’s Recognition of Excellence in Teaching Awards.

The awards celebrate the strength and diversity of teaching and learning practice across the OU. The two Business School winners were:

• The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) Qualification Team who adopted an innovative, evidence-based approach to teaching and assessment in order to better support students through their apprenticeship journey to successful completion of their end-point assessment. 
• The Policing Team whose learning programmes with North Yorkshire Police support over 400 full time students and whose research has contributed to policing policy and inclusion in the National Policing Curriculum. 

Dr Kara Johnson, FBL’s Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, said: “The success of our colleagues serves as a beacon for academic excellence, highlighting the significant contributions of outstanding educators and underscoring the pivotal role of high-quality education in shaping the future. This recognition benefits not only the recipients but also our students and the broader academic community, ensuring that universities remain centres of inspiration and learning.”

OU recognised as University of Sanctuary

Dr Neil Graffin, Senior Lecturer in the Law School (sister to the Business School) led on the OU’s successful application to be awarded University of Sanctuary. This accreditation highlights efforts in supporting forced migrants in accessing education, creating a spirit of inclusivity, teaching themes of migration and sanctuary, and in improving a culture of sanctuary in higher education.

The OU joins a network of other UK institutions which provide a welcome for those displaced by conflict, human rights abuse, persecution or natural disasters, including the impact of climate change.

Neil, Chair of the OU’s Sanctuary Advisory Network, said: “Our recognition as a University of Sanctuary reaffirms our vision and commitment in integrating three core principles: learning what it means to be seeking sanctuary; taking positive action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within the institution; and sharing our visions and achievements.”

The Law School has organised a webinar for next month (details in Events section) to support the new ‘Advanced UK immigration law’ short course which launched in May this year. The event will explore immigration rules, Government policies, border control, and international obligations as well as present the realities faced by those seeking asylum or refugee status in the UK before considering possible next steps in an area fraught with political and societal tensions.

OU research identifies key areas for improving trans healthcare in the UK

Business School Emeritus Professor Richard Holti has led a new OU study identifying significant areas for improvement in the care of transgender adults within the National Health Service (NHS).

The study explored the current landscape of trans healthcare in the UK and identified key factors contributing to both positive and negative experiences.

The new report, ‘Improving the integration of care for trans adults: ICTA a mixed-methods study’, has been published in the journal Health and Social Care Delivery Research and highlights several factors that can lead to fragmented or poor care for trans people.

Richard said: “We explored how to improve care, both immediately and in the longer term, and two things stand out. First, existing initiatives to integrate support into primary care and GP services can be strengthened. Secondly, the NHS can build on recent developments in assessing trans people for treatment, making it more collaborative and in many cases simpler. The goal is to combine better experiences of care with better use of NHS resources.”

The team will be launching online courses based on their findings, aimed at both healthcare staff and individuals seeking or supporting trans healthcare. These aim to contribute to improved awareness, understanding, and service delivery for trans adults within the NHS.

Close your skills gap, train within

Following the release of the 2024 Business Barometer report, which highlighted an ongoing skills shortage in the UK, Dr Haider Ali explains how businesses can fill skills gaps by developing internal talent.

Haider, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Marketing, said “The workforce is changing, and to stay competitive, business leaders need employees with the right skills.

“As the Business Barometer highlights, coaching and mentoring is vital in many organisations to get the best out of staff. Managers with appropriate coaching skills can guide and mentor employees, helping them enhance their skills, set and achieve goals, and overcome challenges. This leads to increased employee effectiveness, higher productivity, and reduced turnover, as talented staff are more likely to stay with the organisation.”

Haider, who is also the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) Director of Microcredentials and Short Courses, discusses how to equip the ‘accidental manager’ with the right skills, and how to use “business and management CPD courses [which] are a quick and effective way to build new skills within your team.”

He added: “By investing in employee development, organisations can not only create a competent and confident leadership team but also foster a positive work environment that drives organisational success.”

Tips for recently appointed managers

Dr Inge Hill, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, has been interviewed for an article giving practical insights for new managers and those keen to update their knowledge.

In the interview, Inge considers the key issues facing managers today and makes recommendations for those new to line management including identifying your team’s strengths and weaknesses and learning what motivates them and what depletes them.

SHORT COURSE SPOTLIGHT: Business agility foundations

Discover how business agility can improve performance, create efficient teams, and benefit your organisation. Created with industry experts, the Agile Business Consortium, this course will introduce you to the essential elements of business agility that are necessary to thrive in complex environments.

You’ll explore agile leadership, agile culture, and a framework for business agility to improve customer value and team performance. Plus, you’ll learn how a growth mindset, continuous learning, and engaging others can support organisational change and deliver successful outcomes.

Alumni Council member profile: Sara Vermeulen-Anastasi

Sara earned her MBA while studying alongside her husband, and now Sara’s daughter and son have also joined the OU. “You could say we are an OU family,” she said.

“The OU has had a significant and positive influence on our family, and earning my MBA was pivotal in me changing professions and embarking on a highly rewarding career. Joining the Alumni Council (AC) was an opportunity to acknowledge the OU’s positive impact and give forward.”

Sara, who was Highly Commended in the Business School’s 2021 Alumni of the Year Awards, is now a senior leader with more than 25 years’ experience in marketing, communications and sustainability. “The opportunity to use my expertise and knowledge outside a work environment is stimulating and great fun. The AC’s strength is its ability to bring an external perspective to alumni initiatives. It’s an open environment that fosters engaging discussions and the exchange of fresh, innovative ideas.

“At the last meeting, we discussed how the AC could contribute to redesigning the MBA programme to align the modules with future business needs and challenges, ensuring it continues to be an internationally recognised and first-class qualification.

“Everyone in the AC is deeply committed to the future of the School and ensuring it continues to deliver value and receives the recognition it deserves as an inclusive and forward-thinking institution.”

How can a mentor help your career?

Ever wondered how a mentor could transform your career?

Mentoring is a valuable tool for professional development, offering personalised guidance and feedback to help mentees navigate career challenges and seize growth opportunities.

In this Professional Knowledge Bank article, alumnus Richard Gadd dispels common mentoring myths and provides practical advice on finding and managing mentor relationships.