WELS news

When An Nguyen began her PhD with the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics at The Open University, she envisioned global field work to complete her research on English Medium Instruction. But then the Covid-19 pandemic happened and she found herself grounded. She tells us about the creative ways she’s navigated the issue, and the very personal experience behind her subject choice. 

Dr Emilia Misheva has joined UNESCO's Inclusive Policy Lab as an expert member, leading the newly created ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing of Autistic Children in Education’ team. The team aims to investigate how education settings can actively promote the wellbeing of autistic children.

A year on from funding being cut to the ACCESS programme, Professor Lesley Hoggart celebrates the achievements and outcomes of the project, and outlines the plans for the future.

Tutor Stuart Wroe reveals what it was like to win a 2021 WELS Tutor Award, as well as the places his impressive career has taken him – and the hobby that’s seen him followed by a BBC documentary crew.

The Open University Business School and the Centre are bringing together keynote speakers from South Sudan to explore education for peacebuilding and development in high conflict contexts.  Speakers include Ambassador Agnes Oswaha, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan, Hon. Pia Philip, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Peacebuilding, and Archbishop Samuel Peni of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan in Western Equatoria State.

The WELS School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has been recognised with an Athena Swan Departmental Bronze Award for its work to promote gender equality.

Research by WELS academics has resulted in 14 nominations at this year’s Open University Research Excellence Awards, including a project heralded as ‘groundbreaking’ by Dame Elizabeth Fradd DBE.

OU students face many life challenges throughout their studies, and for WELS graduate Jacqui Ross hers came in the form of the menopause. She tells us how she navigated her way through the transition, as well as about her award-winning voluntary work and plans for what to study next. 

Dr Katharine Jewitt, Associate Lecturer, will be supporting Digital Schools to guide and implement its ongoing strategy to promote digital skills at nursery, primary, special education and secondary level.

Research by the WELS School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has been used to create an innovative new reading app.