CSGD News

Two exciting new project proposals by members of the Centre for the Study of Global Development have been accepted by the Open Societal Challenges (OSC) programme, an OU initiative bringing together the university’s academic community to develop inclusive research that will drive positive societal change. 

Watch new videos of our winners of The Open University’s first ever People’s Choice Award as they share their thoughts about winning, reflect on their current project and discuss how the OU has helped shape the way in which they conduct research.

Often, pregnant teenagers and young mothers face discrimination and stigma in accessing healthcare services. Additionally, they are sometimes expelled from school when they become pregnant, limiting their ability to improve their lives and achieve their goals.

A new research grant is looking at how supporting teachers in Ghana to adopt play-based practice in schools can improve learning outcomes. Play-based learning is important because it helps children develop foundational numeracy, literary and socio-economic skills. Right to Play, Canada, have awarded £112,000 to the research team led by Professor Kwame Akyeampong based in the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) to study the impact of the Learning through Play project (P3) in Ghanaian basic schools.

The OU's global development project, SAGE – Supporting Adolescent Girls’ Education – was recently visited by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who praised the initiative for its positive impact on women and girls in Zimbabwe.

On 23 November 2022, academics specialising in education and technology met online to discuss their research, evidence, and recommendations to help inform the UNESCO 2023 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report on technology and education. 

On 10 October 2022, the Centre for the Study of Global Development (CSGD) held its first cross-hub seminar event to mark World Mental Health Day, where three guest speakers shared their research that aims to support the mental wellbeing of distinct groups across the life course. The presenters spoke to the CSGD’s core belief of the importance of tackling societal challenges through an interdisciplinary lens, and that by working across disciplines we can enhance understanding and create more inclusive and robust solutions.

The winner of the OU’s People’s Choice Award is a research project led by Dr Margaret Ebubedike from the Faculty of WELS, co-investigated by Dr Saraswati Dawadi from the Institute of Education Technology, looking at improving the lives of human trafficking survivors in Nepal and Nigeria.

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.

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.