ECYS News

In partnership with the BBC, academics from the OU’s Faculty of WELS have led on six films for the popular BBC One show Morning Live. Inspired by talks with OU academics and supported by their expertise, the thought-provoking and informative films explore a diverse range of topics, including cognitive behavioural therapy, language learning, and muscle loss.

Every year, the OU’s Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) recognises students for their achievements through the WELS Student Awards. This year seventeen talented students received awards in two categories: the Going the Extra Mile Award and the Student Inspirational Achievement Award. Each award is particularly notable, as students must be nominated by their tutors to be eligible.

Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden has been promoted to Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies of Childhood and Youth. Her research centres on issues of contemporary consequence for childhood and youth, examining the self, schooling, food, and fun.

Dr Janice Gorlach, OU alumna, has recently received an MBE for her services to education and the positive impact her work has had on children’s lives.

Trainer in Your Pocket, an initiative from the OU’s Centre for the Study of Global Development, has been selected as one of the top 15 EdTech innovations in Bangladesh. Since the initiative's launch, over 54,000 teachers have used Trainer in Your Pocket to improve children’s learning, reaching 7.4 million students in Bangladesh.

'Inside Our Autistic Minds', An Open University/BBC co-production, supported by academics from the OU’s Faculty of WELS has been honoured at the prestigious Grierson Awards, which recognise innovative and exciting documentary films.

OU alumna Jane Green recently received her MBE, awarded for her work as founder of SEDSConnective, a volunteer and user-led neurodivergent and symptomatic hypermobility health charity.

Professor Emeritus Alan Tait, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of The Open University, has been awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership of the ICDE (International Council for Open and Distance Education), one of only 13 honorary memberships granted during the organisation’s 85-year history.

The first learners from the FIFA Guardians Safeguarding in Sport Diploma graduated in October, celebrated at a FIFA Safeguarding Summit in Zurich. The Diploma aims to strengthen and professionalise safeguarding standards in football and was developed with experts including academics from The Open University.

Not enough is being done across the UK to support parents, children and young people experiencing family imprisonment according to new research by The Open University’s Children’s Research Centre and Worcestershire charity YSS.