WELS news

Three women in an art space. Two in the foreground laugh as one creates a piece of artwork.

Storytelling project plans ‘critical exploration’ of its own methods

An OU team carrying out storytelling-led research will simultaneously analyse whether the method reinforces inequality rather than challenges it.

29th March 2022

A pair of young persons hands tends to a seedling, in a pile of earth

Launch of the new Centre for the Study of Global Development

The Faculty of WELS has launched a new research centre, the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD), which will aim to advance human wellbeing through global development research. The launch event featured a special message from UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J Mohammed.

24th March 2022

Some of the Ghana Ministry of Education delegation outside Walton Hall. (L-R: Dr Eric Nkansah, Dr Eric Addae-Kyeremeh, Olivier Biard, Prof Mark Adom-Asamoah, Babette Oliver, Dr Jane Cullen, Nana Gyamfi Adwabour.)

Ghana Ministry of Education visits the OU

A delegation from the Ghanaian Ministry of Education recently visited the OU to learn from the OU’s experience and expertise in delivering supported distance learning at scale. They are investigating ways of increasing the number of quality tertiary education places available in Ghana.

23rd March 2022

A young disabled girl in a wheelchair at the beach with her sister. The girl in the chair is smiling while her sister kisses her head

OU Carers Research Group join coalition for young carers

Thousands of children and young people are negatively affected by the impact of their caring responsibilities. The OU’s Carers Research Group have taken action by launching a new network called the Young Carers Alliance, alongside a growing coalition of organisations and individuals.

18th March 2022

Zimbabwean schoolgirl on mobile phone whilst writing in notebook outdoors.

Worldwide access for gender transformative education programme materials

Learning materials created to support adolescent girls in Zimbabwe are now available as an open access resource via OpenLearn Create.

10th March 2022

A group of 6 black men and women, sitting in a lounge area, drinking tea together. Image credit- Cardiff Productions

New BBC/OU series: “We are Black and British”

We are Black and British, a two-part series co-produced by the BBC and the OU, brings together six black Britons from very different backgrounds and viewpoints to share their personal stories and debate being black and British.

22nd February 2022

A primary school aged boy and girl intently examine a reading book together, in a classroom setting.

New Course to Support Children’s Reading for Pleasure

A new, free, online course, Developing Reading for Pleasure: Engaging Young Readers, from the OU's Reading for Pleasure team provides practical tips for educators and carers on supporting children's enjoyment in reading.

9th February 2022

A student nurse takes notes on a clipboard while another nurse examines a patient in a hospital

Seven things you need to know about WELS apprenticeships

This year marks the fifteenth annual National Apprenticeship Week, running from 7 – 13 February 2022. This year, we’ve pulled together seven things you need to know about the apprenticeships offered by the OU’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) in England.

3rd February 2022

New ‘Midlife MOT’ course launches, with tips on wealth, work and wellbeing

The OU, in partnership with Legal & General, have launched the Midlife MOT; a free course, aimed at 40 to 60 year olds, covering the three key areas of work, wealth and wellbeing, giving them the tools and knowledge to approach mid and later life with confidence.

2nd February 2022