Dr Ursula Stickler has been promoted to Professor of Online Language Teaching, following a career specialising in online language pedagogy, autonomous learning, and innovating research methodologies.

Dr Mirjam Hauck, from the School of Languages and Linguistics, has been promoted to Professor of Critical Digital Pedagogies, following nearly 30 years at the forefront of technological developments at The Open University.

Dr Philip Seargeant of the Faculty of WELS is February's winner of OU Research Image of the Month. His winning image captures his research in a uniquely creative way.

The winners of the 2024 WELS Student and Tutor Awards were recently announced in a virtual awards ceremony. In total, 24 awards were made across the two categories, which recognise the achievements of some of the OU’s outstanding students, and the tutors who support them to succeed.

When a self-confessed “crazy choice” threatened to derail hopes of Gaia completing her Language Studies degree, an Open University (OU) tutor stepped into cheer her on and across the finishing line.

The OU’s tutors provide essential support and guidance that enable students to succeed. Every year the Faculty of WELS celebrates those tutors that have gone above and beyond what is expected of them, via the WELS Tutor Awards, which give students the opportunity to recognise the dedication and skill of their tutors. This year fourteen tutors received awards in two categories, from nearly 400 nominations.

For the first time in the history of Scottish education, there is now a professional learning course for teachers on how to include and embed Scots language and culture in their classrooms, delivered in partnership with the OU in Scotland and Education Scotland.

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.

From the emerging field of Raciolinguistics, new research from the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics will investigate the relationship between language, race and cultural appropriation through the use of Jamaican Patois.