ECYS 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.

Results are in for the annual Open University Graduate School ‘Bake Your Research’ competition… and WELS has bagged the top spot for a second year running.

Dr Natalie Canning, Co-Director of The Open University’s Children’s Research Centre, launches the Empowerment Framework, a new tool for childhood practitioners to analyse children’s play and activities. Based on Dr Canning’s research into Early Childhood contexts, the tool supports the understanding of child development through an empowerment focus.

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.

A student wellbeing group that sees staff and students work in partnership has been named one of the winners at the 2022 WELS Teaching Excellence Awards.

Every year the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) recognises students and projects that have gone above and beyond what is expected of them.  The WELS Tutor Awards provided students with the opportunity to recognise the dedication and skill of their tutors. Overall, ten tutors received a WELS Tutor award, and a further eleven were highly commended.

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 another nine talented students received awards in two categories, in a recent virtual ceremony.