Distinguished Speaker Series - Open Centre for Languages and Cultures

Welcome to the Open University's Open Centre for Languages and Cultures bi-monthly Distinguished Speaker series which was launched in February 2022.

The online events last one hour and feature talks from a range of experts across the fields of languages, cultures and communication, with each talk aligning with one of the exciting new short courses from the Open Centre.

The Open Centre for Languages and Cultures is The Open University's home for non-accredited short courses in languages and intercultural communication, enabling students from anywhere across the globe, and in any time zone, to study a wide range of languages and language-related subjects, whatever their motivation – leisure, professional development or academic.

“We wanted to add a new dimension to the OU's Open Centre for Languages and Cultures. We have approached colleagues who are specialists in the academic areas covered in our short courses which speak directly to the OU's strategic goal number 1: greater reach” 
Dr Mirjam Hauck (series convenor)
Associate Head for Internationalisation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, The School of Languages and Applied Linguistics

Upcoming events

No events currently listed

Past events

A Century of Crime Fiction from the 'Golden Age' to the 'Europolar' | 13 June 2025

Transcript: A Century of Crime Fiction from the 'Golden Age' to the 'Europolar', with Bill Alder, Anthony Howell and Anne Grydehøj

Unlocking creativity: the importance of AI literacy | 27 May 2025

Transcript: Unlocking creativity: the importance of AI literacy, with Kate Borthwick

How do educators build a culture of peace? | 5 Feb 2025

Transcript: How do educators build a culture of peace? with Prof Hilary Cremin

Language skills of UK students "too poor” for EU exchange scheme with Prof Christine Boyle  | 18 Jun 2024

Transcript: Language skills of UK students "too poor” for EU exchange scheme, with Prof Christine Boyle

Crime fiction past present and future with Simon Brett | 17 Apr 2024

Transcript: Crime fiction past present and future, with Simon Brett

Cara (The Council for At-Risk Academics) with Stephen Wordsworth  | 22 Feb 2024

Transcript - Stephen Wordsworth

How LLMs such as ChatGPT will Transform Adult Education with Prof. John Domingue | 3 Oct 2023

Transcript - Professor John Domingue

Equitable Multilingualism with Beverley Costa | 13 Jul 2023