CSGD News

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.

A series of images and reflections taken by children and young people from the crisis-hit region of Lake Chad will be displayed at The Open University on 27 May. The exhibition offers critical reflection into how participatory photography can facilitate their participation in decision-making around the issues that directly affect their lives.

An OU study to professionally develop maths teachers in low- and middle-income countries is one of the projects within Edtech Hub’s first research portfolio, and will investigate the impact of technology on teaching in Bangladesh. 

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

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.