We are really proud of each and every one of our alumni.
You are the evidence of the OU’s success. As such we want to keep you firmly in touch with your university, your subject interests, and your fellow students and alumni. This section of Platform is just one place in which we aim to do that. You'll find more on the full range of our services for alumni below and on our services page.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell: How science was a man's world
She discusses 'How science is a man's world' as she experienced following the discovery of radio pulsars in the 1960s. This was hailed as a great astronomical leap forward but when it came to a Nobel Prize the woman on the team was left off the list.
'Women in business' is a constantly debated subject. Keep an eye on OpenLearn for details of 'Women in the Boardroom' an exciting new OU / BBC co-production and accompanying interactive.
Open University Honorary Graduate Jocelyn Bell Burnell recently appeared on the BBC's Hardtalk. She discusses 'How science is a man's world' as she experienced following the discovery of radio pulsars in the 1960s. This was hailed as a great astronomical leap forward but when it came to a Nobel Prize the woman on the team was left off the ...
An insight into a career in law
What inspired you to study law? And how did you find the study?
I can’t actually pin point the reason why I chose law but I wanted to be a solicitor from about aged 15. I wanted a profession and I was scared of blood so being a Doctor was out the question and so I liked law. I did actually enjoy the studying, it was very intense and you had to have a good memory to recall all the different cases. I’ve always been interested in family law rather than corporate. I’m just interested in people’s stories I think.
Did you have a job in place when you graduated?
I graduated with a law degree and then I did a post graduate diploma in legal practice. I didn’t have a job (a trainee solicitor Position) in place. I applied to many many firms but at that time and still today competition was high and I didn’t get a position. I joined Barclays initially intending it to be just for the summer when I’d graduated but I got promoted into their Human Resources department and I advised staff on policies and procedures. I worked for Barclays for 4 years, much longer than I intended but I enjoyed working there but I still hankered after my career in law.
I sent off lots of letters to solicitors firms looking for a paralegal position. I thought they might take me on as a paralegal and I could then prove myself to be worthy of a trainee solicitor position and that’s what happened. I got a job for a firm in Leamington Spa as a paralegal. I did that for about a year and I could apply for some of my time as a paralegal to be taken into account towards my training as a solicitor.
Tell us about the firm...
It was a 10 partner or so firm. A high street practice dealing with a number of fields of law such as conveyancing, criminal, corporate, wills and family and litigation.
How did you decide what to specialise in?
I found family law the most interesting. It’s much easier to remember the facts of the case if there’s a personal element or a story attached to them. Being a family solicitor takes an extra skill of being able to deal with very emotional clients and dealing with clients who themselves don’t want a divorce and so they can be reluctant or difficult to deal. I’m a good listener and want to help people and I am patient and so family law was a good fit! And I found corporate law a total yawn, ha!
How did you find turning study into practice?
Oh my gosh completely different. You have to learn all the statute titles and case law and all the proper names for procedure and then you find yourself in an interview with a client who just needs advice in layman’s terms. It’s like you have to immediately shed all the formal and technical terms and try to explain everything in easily understandable English. And the turnaround of work was obviously much quicker. You go from doing a piece of work such as a draft letter to a client in one week to having to do at least 10 letters a day and draft statements and see clients etc.
Did you work for the same firm during the 10 years or move jobs?
I’ve moved about. After I qualified I stayed with same firm for another year and then I took a 1 year career break and travelled in Australia and New Zealand. I worked for law firms as a paralegal in Melbourne and Sydney and worked for a major law firm for 3 months in central Sydney. It was quite a come down to then return home and work for little firm in Birmingham. I did question why I’d returned. I then moved to firm in Northampton for 3 years, was a locum for 6 months and then went to Market Harborough where my last job was for 2½ years before I left to set up my own firm.
What are the career routes in a solicitors (i.e. do you go from solicitor to partner or is there a structured route)?
There’s no structured route or path to partnership as some firms call it. It depends on the practice. It just depends on whether you want to become a partner and what you can bring to a firm. There are solicitors and associates who are still solicitors but are almost partners. And then partners. I didn’t want to become a partner because I didn’t want the extra liability if I didn’t get a say in how I wanted the firm to operate.
What made you decide to move from working for someone to setting up your own solicitors?
I have a lot of experience and so I was comfortable in being able to stand on my own two feet. I also knew the work that’s involved in getting a new business off the ground in terms of networking and promoting a business and I was prepared to take on that challenge. I wanted to offer the same expertise to a client but under more flexible terms, such as seeing the client in an evening or at a weekend. Financially, I wanted to personally benefit from all my hard work rather than just lining the pockets of the partners. Personally I wanted more flexibility in my lifestyle – ‘I’m prepared to work hard but if I want half a day to go shopping then I can take it and I’ll just work longer another day.
Can you give OU students any tips on securing their first job in law?
- Don’t be disheartened if you apply to lots of firms and they don’t even reply, a lot don’t
- Make as many contacts as you can, who you know could really just give you that way in to doing a placement and then being able to demonstrate that you’d be an asset to the firm
- Offer to shadow for a week or a few days just to get some experience of whether you’d actually like to work in a law firm
- Keep writing to firms with your CV because sometimes it may be just luck that your cv and letter lands on the partners desk when they decide they need a trainee or a paralegal
Find out more:
If you’re studying law and thinking about how your career can develop, Amanda Weaver, Principal Solicitor provides an insight. She has recently set up her own firm: New Leaf Solicitors and talks about the challenges of study, gaining work experience and how she made the decision to set up on her own... What inspired you to study law? And how did you find the ...
Colin's gift to future OU students
Joyce didn’t go to university herself but started work aged 13 following the outbreak of the Second World War. Over the years she was always interested in Colin’s studies and would have enjoyed further study, he says. Even in her later years when she sadly developed Alzheimer’s, she was incredibly quick and could do mental arithmetic faster than anyone else he knew.
Looking back Colin says: “I’d say ‘what is 5x17?’ and she would come back with the answer so quickly. We had to learn times tables at school by heart in those days and at the time it’s a nuisance but later in life you realise how valuable it is. One of the young carers who looked after my sister commented that she was quicker than a computer.”
Because of this link, Colin made a donation to help future students at the OU.
“In particular I’d like to support students with disabilities but support anybody who would have benefited from a university education, but couldn't afford it.”
Colin personally gained a huge amount from his studies. He enjoyed the social aspects: meeting tutors and fellow students, both in person and online and learned some things about himself.
“It’s taught me to be a bit more patient with people as we are all at different levels of experience and comprehension; that I don’t know everything and the importance of continuing education for people if they get the chance to do it.”
After quite a few years of OU study, Colin is taking a break to pursue another item on his to do list: writing a book.
“I’ve decided I’d like to write a prescriptive grammar book and am basing it on some notes I have from grammar school in the 1940s.”
And after that? Who knows….?
Find out more:
With his OU degree complete, Colin Hume can tick off another item on the ‘to do’ list he compiled following his retirement. And now, with a BA, BSc and Post Graduate Diploma under his belt, he wants the chance to help someone else enjoy the experience of OU study by making a donation in his sister’s memory. Joyce didn’t go to university herself but ...
Dame Mary Peters becomes an Honorary Doctorate of The Open University
John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland delivered the citation on behalf of the University. In presenting the award of Doctor of the University, he said:
“Mary Peters' story is one of belief, determination, achievement, excellence and contribution within, but also beyond the world of sport and one which continues to inspire people of all ages".
He reminded the audience of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich when Mary Peters ascended to global status as an athlete by winning Olympic Gold in the women's penthalon, beating the local favourite Heidi Rosendahl in one of sport's most gripping and tense battles.
He added that the context of Mary's golden moment cannot be forgotten. The 1970s in Northern Ireland's history was a turbulent, traumatic and unfortunately tragic time. However, the contribution of sports people, artists and musicians provided a much-needed dose of normality. The achievements of Mary Peters, George Best, Alex Higgins and Van Morrison brought a sense of pride, belief and aspiration to Northern Ireland which has led to a strong foundation for countless individuals to aspire, achieve and succeed.
As we look forward to the London Olympics in 2012, we should not be surprised that Mary has been appointed as one of Team GB's 2012 ambassadors in the company of Steve Redgrave, Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis. What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her own Gold Medal win. “
On receiving the award, Dame Mary Peters said: “I am delighted and extremely honoured to receive this award from The Open University in this Olympic year. The Open University has removed the barriers that have prevented many people from studying at university, enabling them to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.”
Find out more:
Olympic gold medallist, Dame Mary Peters has received an honorary degree for her contribution to Public Services in Belfast on 19 May. John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Ireland delivered the citation on behalf of the University. In presenting the award of Doctor of the University, he said: “Mary Peters' story is one of belief, ...
Artist Rita Greer celebrates 60 year's of work
Rita is probably best known as the artist who ‘created a face’ for Robert Hooke (1635-1703), regarded as one of the greatest English scientists. His work was overshadowed by that of Sir Isaac Newton. Much mystery surrounds the conflicts which existed between Hooke and Newton and ‘gossip’ suggests that Newton would have burnt any portraits if they did exist.
Rita’s interest in Hooke first started after reading an article in The Daily Telegraph by Oxford academic, Dr Allan Chapman on the tercentenary of Robert Hooke’s death.
“He was saying how awful it was that he had been swept under the carpet and he didn’t have any memorials in London where he worked for nearly 40 years. I started to research him and I was absolutely appalled by the way he’d been treated. I looked on the internet and there were various images of him which looked like they’d come out of a cartoon or Harry Potter film and the poor man was made out to be a sort of monster and yet he did so much for this country.”
Using almost scientific descriptions of him written by his colleagues enabled Rita to create her first portrait and has now created many which she makes available for all to see.
“I put my work on wikimedia to make pictures free to everyone. It’s great to give it away and its opened lots of doors for me. People ask me how much my exhibition is worth and I say ‘60 years of my life’. I’m also making a video with commentary for people who are disabled as there is unfortunately no access for them to the exhibition.”
The OU names many of its buildings after key scientist or academics and the Science Faculty resides in a building named after Robert Hooke. One of Rita's portraits currently hangs there.
Despite having published two books on art/crafts and lettering, 23 books on nutrition/health/special cookery for people with special needs and three books as co-author, Rita still describes herself as someone who “goes with the flow.”
For those who aspire to be artists Rita gives the following advice:
“I think if you are going to do anything creative like writing or arts in particular it’s a very good idea to have a second string to your bow because there will be times when you are bottom of the ladder and you need to be able to turn your hand to something else to earn a living. And secondly don’t give up!”
Find out more:
An exhibition is taking place (22 May-16 June 2012) to celebrate the work of OU Honorary Graduate Rita Greer, who has been an artist and craftsman for 60 years. Rita is probably best known as the artist who ‘created a face’ for Robert Hooke (1635-1703), regarded as one of the greatest English scientists. His work was overshadowed by that of Sir Isaac ...
An award for best essay and advice on working abroad
Jon who now lives in France reveals the surprise of winning the award and shares his experiences of study with the OU, work abroad and offers advice on learning a foreign language.
Winning the prize of £150
It was with delight that I opened an OU letter in early January and discovered that, far from being the expected circular, it brought altogether different news. More wonderful is the knowledge that some families in our midst are generous enough to offer total strangers the chance to compete for such an award and the chance, at the same time, to remember Mathena Kerr Ross. Such prizes are life-affirming and inspiring to us all.
How I came to study with the OU
Physics had been my worst subject at school - although there were plenty of other contenders, like French, ironically enough. One of my fellow menials had just started a PhD course at Birmingham on the strength of gaining a First at the OU. Looking back, his shining example was the first step along my own OU path.
My next career phase was in journalism, where I ended up editing a science and science fiction magazine but my OU course began in 1993, starting with Foundation Science and progressing to Biology, Psychology and Earth Sciences ... then, after a few gap years, veering off to Classics and Shakespeare. This last, AA306, has to be one of the best.
Review of AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
Before starting the course, I thought I already knew a fair bit about Shakespeare. I’d seen and read nearly all of the plays, including some at the very fringes of the canon.
I advise you approach it afresh (i.e. without necessarily having done much prior reading, and with mind, ears and eyes fully open to new ideas). The course introduces you to what is probably some of the most interesting and thought-provoking criticism of the last twenty years or so. A lot of people might consider Shakespeare an almost fossilised area of study when compared to, say, astronomy, but it’s probably fair to say that attitudes to Shakespeare have changed as much since the 80s as have ways of thinking about black holes.
My new life in France is very leisurely but provides plenty of scope to reconnect with my previous career in journalism. I’ve recently joined a local (English-speaking) radio group and lend a hand at a local cinema which helps me get up to date with French film. All of these activities are voluntary and, for me, doing the work is its own reward.
Working abroad and speaking the language
The new roles are actually conducted in English, not French. There are lots of English people in Brittany, and there is even an organisation to help with integration which is based in the village near to where I live. But true integration comes with proficiency in the local language and, unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get by without a good grasp of French. My own French is far from adequate at the moment, malheureusement.
Advice for those seeking employment in France or overseas
For those seeking employment, and with sufficient motivation and energy, there are government-sponsored schemes which try to find work for people. Job-seekers are given (free) French lessons which, depending on age, can be quite intensive. Younger people are considered to have the best chance of finding employment and are given the most help acquiring that all-important French language.
However, anyone thinking of relocating and working abroad would probably be well advised to try and become a competent speaker of the local language before arrival, as learning does not take place simply by being there. There are too many English newspapers, television channels and English speakers for that to happen automatically.
Despite having taken an intensive French language course, joined a French-conversation class, tried numerous audio courses and having a couple of hours of lessons per week, I’m beginning to regret not having taken an OU course in French! Like many others, I find that the OU actually works well for me and, given a little determination on our part, the courses are almost guaranteed to succeed where others might fail.
Find out more:
- Study AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
- Study French with the OU
- Leaving a Gift to The Open University
- The Marthena Kerr award and previous winner
Jon Chambers has won this year’s Mathena Kerr Ross Prize, an award made to the student with the best essay on module AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance, given in memory of an OU student who enjoyed her OU studies and in particular Shakespeare. Jon who now lives in France reveals the surprise of winning the award and shares his experiences of study with the OU, ...
Blind couple graduate with honours
Louis, 47, gained a first class honours degree in literature, studying Shakespeare, Dickens and other classics, as well as modern drama, philosophy and creative writing. Her husband Phil, 46, graduated with an honours degree in psychology, which is recognised by the British Psychological Society.
Louise had to give up on her degree in Astrophysics at Manchester University when she suddenly lost her sight aged 30 and while bringing up her three-year-old daughter.
Louise said: “Coping with sudden sight loss, accepting new limitations and giving up on a long held dream was a tough experience that took many years to adjust to. I still needed a great deal of determination and commitment to get my degree, and the second chance offered by The Open University provided the means.”
Phil became visually impaired at the age of 10 when at primary school. He was educated in special schools until he was 20 when he decided that the jobs then on offer at the time - basket weaving, piano tuning and telephony - weren’t for him. He went on to gain an HND in Computer Science and after a short spell as a software engineer and lecturer Phil found his vocation in public relations, working for Deafblind UK, RNIB and a Whitehall Department.
It wasn’t until five years ago, after a protracted period of ill health and becoming registered as deaf and blind, that Phil was able to pursue his interest in psychology and begin a degree with The Open University.
Support to study
Both Louise and Phil have guide dogs who have attended residential schools and tutorials with them during their studies.
Louise and Phil have other impairments which has made working full time or full time study in a ‘brick’ university extremely challenging.
Phil said: “The great thing about the OU is you can study at your own pace, take rests when you need them and it all fits around the needs of your impairments. You can even do your exams at home with extra time and rest breaks.”
Louise added: “The OU have been brilliant at making materials accessible and providing a gateway to grants for people to read course materials. Tutors, librarians and other staff deserve our thanks for going out of their way to support our needs. Without them, our journey would have been impossible.”
Louise and Phil's daughter Maya (pictured below), worked as a non-medical helper during the degrees, reading course materials and proof reading assignments and guided her parents onto the platform at the ceremony. Maya is now at university in Liverpool.
Louise and Phil aspire to part-time masters degrees in script writing and disability studies and hope to attract some support for the fees from organisations or philanthropists.
Louise said: “I’ve written some plays and performance poetry for local organisations and hope in due course to be able to turn this into my career. I would particularly like to combine my two passions of science and writing to produce works which inspire young people to pursue an interest in the sciences.”
Phil added: “I hope one day to be able to return to the employment market even if it’s not in a conventional nine to five way. I’m a passionate campaigner for the rights of blind and partially sighted people and think my background in public relations, my studies in psychology and hopefully a masters in disability studies will fit together to turn these interests into an income stream.”
Louise and Phil intend to focus their determination and talents on leaving the benefits system behind, while working within their physical limitations to earn their income and independence.
Find out more:
- Graduates share their study experiences
- Services for disabled students
- Graduation ceremonies 2012/13
- Study a qualification with the OU
Louise and Phil Jenkins, both registered blind, graduated at the OU degree ceremony in Torquay, overcoming their inability to read and realising a dream they never thought possible. Louis, 47, gained a first class honours degree in literature, studying Shakespeare, Dickens and other classics, as well as modern drama, philosophy and creative writing. Her husband Phil, ...
Using a scientific calculator: do you know how?
Through OpenLearn you can now take a free 10 hour unit of study which will help you to understand how to use the different facilities and functions and discover what a powerful tool this calculator can be!
Find out more:
- Mathematics and Statistics qualification
- Career help for Maths and Statistics graduates
- OpenLearn free study material
Photo by: gurms photostream
Many of us have scientific calculators but may not understand all the functions it can perform to help with everyday arithmetic and for more complicated calculations. Through OpenLearn you can now take a free 10 hour unit of study which will help you to understand how to use the different facilities and functions and discover what a powerful tool this calculator can ...
From marketing director to primary school teacher (and author of a sporting heroes book)
Declan Gane graduated from the OU in 2010 and says his degree is helping him change careers - from marketer to school teacher – as well as transforming his lifestyle. And not only does he have a new job, he’s also the author of a book offering top tips to children from sporting heroes.
Declan, now a father of three living in West London, signed up for a four year BSc Computing & Informatics course at Plymouth Polytechnic after sixth form but confesses to having “no burning desire to read computing” and was lured into the workplace after two years.
Many years later, having built up a career in the live events sector, he moved into a marketing role and took various Chartered Institute of Marketing exams and attended evening classes based at Thames Valley University in Ealing. And in 1998 he won a DTi Scholarship to attend an intensive marketing course at the IVEY Business School, Western University, London, Ontario – Canada’s equivalent of Harvard.
In 2007 he embarked on an OU degree “because I could”. He adds: “I could study as and when I had time to do so, balancing work and family life, and choose from a huge variety of subject areas that matched my broad areas of interest, and taking modules where one’s ability to cram for exams was not the measure of the learning.”
Declan’s OU studies – as well as seven years’ coaching mini rugby at Richmond FC – have led to a complete career change from marketing director to primary school teacher.
“My studies at the OU have impacted hugely on my career, in that I am in the midst of changing careers completely. My honours degree allowed me to join the Graduate Teachers Programme, a one year on-the-job re-training programme for mature students.
'It’s a total lifestyle change that would not have been open to me without an OU degree'
“So from jetting into and out of the world’s industrial fairgrounds, I am now strolling down the road to teach my class of seven and eight-year-olds the ins and outs of maths and English with a bit of mini rugby, ancient Egyptians, Last Night of the Proms, making magnets, blogging and a lot more thrown in too. It’s a total lifestyle change that would not have been open to me without an OU degree.”
As well as being in the midst of a career change, Declan has also embarked on a project with a sporting theme. Heavily involved in junior rugby, at a coaching and managerial level, Declan saw his own son Louis’ potential as a player and team leader and wanted advice on how to coach him to be a future England captain.
An Amazon search proved far from fruitful with the only the only books available on coaching for sporting leadership aimed at adults. So Declan and Louis decided to approach real sporting captains for their tips and advice and get advice first hand.
Soon, advice from big sporting names started to roll in and Declan thought it wasteful not to share it with others, and planned to compile the advice into a book. And now, with the Olympics just around the corner, Declan’s book So You Want to be Captain? has just been published for aspiring young sports people, with a proportion of profits being donated to Sports Relief.
Declan added: “We didn’t really set out with the intention of compiling the captains’ top tips to put into a book. However, with nearly 50 great pieces of advice from some of the best captains in the world, So You Want to be Captain?, can now be shared with lots of aspiring young sports-people, not just Louis.”
COMPETITION!!!
Platform has a copy of Declan’s book – So You Want to be a Captain? – up for grabs.
For your chance to win the book and an OU goodie bag, tell us what you’re looking forward to about the forthcoming Olympics. Will you be attending, watching on TV or planning a themed event?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below this competition (to comment on Platform you'll need to be logged in with your OU username and password, or you can comment via Facebook below too) and then email platform-competitions@open.ac.uk with the subject header Captain comp' and include your full name and address. You'll need to comment below AND email us to qualifiy for entry.
All entries will be entered into a prize draw and the winner picked at random on 1 July 2012.
Terms and conditions
This competition opens on 16/05/12 and closes on 01/07/12. Prizes must be taken as offered and are not transferable or exchangeable for a cash equivalent. Only one entry per person. This competition is open to all except members of The Open University's Communications Unit. Entries must be received by 01 July 2012. The promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are incomplete, illegible, corrupted or fail to reach the promoter by the relevant closing date for any reason. The winners will be drawn and notified within 28 days of the competition closing. The name and home town of the winner will be published on Platform. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Declan Gane graduated from the OU in 2010 and says his degree is helping him change careers - from marketer to school teacher – as well as transforming his lifestyle. And not only does he have a new job, he’s also the author of a book offering top tips to children from sporting heroes. “Gaining a degree with the OU laid to rest any remaining nagging doubts ...
Don't let dyslexia hold you back
Julia Sudbury graduated from the OU in March 2012. Here, talking while in the midst of her degree ceremony at the Barbican, London, she explains how the OU helped her challenge the misconception that she was stupid at school, gave her support for her dyslexia and how she worked hard and grew her confidence to graduate with a first.
Julia Sudbury graduated from the OU in March 2012. Here, talking while in the midst of her degree ceremony at the Barbican, London, she explains how the OU helped her challenge the misconception that she was stupid at school, gave her support for her dyslexia and how she worked hard and grew her confidence to graduate with a first. 5 Average: 5 (1 vote)
OU student scoops accolade for realising her teaching dream
Amanda Halifax has achieved her lifelong ambition to be a PE teacher after devoting her life to her children and their education – and she’s scooped an Adult Learners’ Week award for her efforts.
Amanda, 59, from Spalding, has had her dedication and commitment to improving her life through learning recognised with the Outstanding Individual Learner in the East Midlands Award as part of Adult Learners’ Week, from 12 to 18 May 2012.
Amanda had a love of sport and wanted to become a PE teacher, but at the age of 55 she thought her dream would never happen. She then discovered the OU which would allow her to study and work at the same time, so she started a degree in Sport, Fitness and Management.
Amanda began working at a school while she studied, where she covered PE lessons, assisted the teachers and also undertook a variety of coaching courses. Amanda will graduate with her degree this year and finally achieve her dream.
“2012 is my big year,” said Amanda, “I’ve run the London Marathon, am collecting my degree and having a party for my 60th birthday. I would have never reached the dream without OU. I now run my own fitness lessons and after school sessions in the school where I work and I teach squash and tennis so my work has been recognised in the school too.”
Amanda Halifax has achieved her lifelong ambition to be a PE teacher after devoting her life to her children and their education – and she’s scooped an Adult Learners’ Week award for her efforts. Amanda, 59, from Spalding, has had her dedication and commitment to improving her life through learning recognised with the Outstanding Individual Learner in the East Midlands ...
OU student's learning philosophy leads to an award
OU student Barbara Keenan has scooped a prestigious award as part of Adult Learners’ Week 2012 for her dedication to lifelong learning while living with Motor Neurone Disease.
Barbara, 64, from Lincoln, has been on a learning journey spanning 27 years – gaining a degree and a Masters – and continues to do so despite living with Motor Neurone Disease. And her dedication and commitment to improving her life through learning is being recognised with a Regional Senior Learner Award as part of Adult Learners’ Week 2012, which takes place from 12 to 18 May.
Relishing even more educational challenges, Barbara is continuing to study modules which will earn her a BSc degree in Maths, and has so far completed a Level 3 social sciences course and two maths courses, all through the OU.
Barbara’s infectious enthusiasm for life and learning has even spurred one of her OU tutors on to study for a Masters degree in maths himself. Tutor Mark Hobbs said: “I have found Barbara to be an inspiration and a great role model for adult learning.”
Barbara added: “The Open University is a wonderful institution giving, as it does, a second chance for many who may not have been able to take a university degree straight from school.”
David Hughes, NIACE Chief Executive, said: “Every one of our award winners, for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week, illustrates how learning can help people to change their lives, make them feel part of their community and help support them in their future. Barbara’s life has improved because of her commitment, enthusiasm and ambition. I hope that others will be inspired by this story and see the role that learning can play to help them get a better life.”
OU student Barbara Keenan has scooped a prestigious award as part of Adult Learners’ Week 2012 for her dedication to lifelong learning while living with Motor Neurone Disease. Barbara, 64, from Lincoln, has been on a learning journey spanning 27 years – gaining a degree and a Masters – and continues to do so despite living with Motor Neurone Disease. And her dedication and ...
Research into damage and repair of the nervous system
James Phillips, Lecturer in Health Sciences
Leads a research group using tissue engineering principles to understand damage and repair in peripheral nerves and the spinal cord. This includes developing advanced 3D culture systems for neuroscience research and engineering implantable nervous system repair conduits for regenerative medicine.
James discusses some of the work his group have been conducting in modelling nervous system damage.
Melanie Georgiou, 3rd year PhD student working with James
Discusses her work on repairing peripheral nerves using engineered neural tissue.
Find out more:
- About James or Mel and the rest of the research group
- Teaching and research in Life Health and Chemical Sciences
- Biomedical Research at the OU
Research is currently taking place at the OU towards understanding more about damage repair in peripheral nerves and the spinal chord. Platform caught up with James Phillips and Melanie Georgiou to find out more. James Phillips, Lecturer in Health Sciences Leads a research group using tissue engineering principles to understand damage and repair in peripheral ...
Senate report 2: The Student Support Review
If you were restructuring student support in the OU, what would you do? I suppose that without the wider picture we can only make suggestions from our individual perspectives, but we may have one or two ideas.
The Student Support Review hopes it has covered all eventualities, but it is realistic in knowing that it has to be able to change with the times and requirements of its ever-widening student population. The Review is an enormous undertaking, with the sole aim of redefining the relationship between students and university. The OU has dedicated a huge team to the project, which has made certain recommendations.
There are also specific teams redesigning the Access to Success programmes to help students who would not normally apply to university, with a fee structure which is less complicated.
Recommendations have been made by The Student Support Review, that the Curriculum Support Teams be mapped into host locations, so student support will be curriculum-based, rather than location-based. This, it is hoped, will make communication with the relevant subject teams easier, and more effective.
There is also a vast retraining programme to enable staff to assist students in understanding their options. The registration of new students has dramatically altered for 2012/13 through new fees and funding issues. New students need to declare their aimed qualification and will now have five years in which to complete their studies.
Course choice has always been difficult but qualification-based programmes are now structured into Pathways, where study is sequenced. The university will have more control over the way in which students progress, in order to cover the requirements for that qualification. Progression can now be managed in order to help students achieve their goal. Study goals will therefore be clearer, making it easier for the university to understand the identity of individual students.
Open degrees are still available with the OU, which is the most flexible approach to study available in the U.K. Students can create their own Cert HE, Dip HE or degree if they wish and combine a range of subjects they enjoy.
It seems that the changes still allow the OU to be unique in its approach, whilst offering traditional, structured degrees. There are also clear qualification pathways to help employers develop qualification structures for their employees.
Students have already voted the OU, as one of the top three universities for student support in the U.K. We hope the new Student Support Programme will make it the world leader.
photo by: RogueSun Media's photostream, May 2012
OU community representative on Senate: Dr Petrina Stevens, releases part 2 of her report from the latest meeting on 'The Student Support Review'..... If you were restructuring student support in the OU, what would you do? I suppose that without the wider picture we can only make suggestions from our individual perspectives, but we may have one or two ideas. The Student ...
Local elections: politics in context
Politics of participation
Why do people choose to vote, or indeed, not to vote? The Open University's Professor Michael Saward is joined by his colleagues Paul Lewis and Richard Heffernan along with Sarah Childs (Professor of Politics and Gender at Bristol University), to discuss the politics of participation, with reference to the 2010 general election in the UK.
Politics as performance
The great US President Abraham Lincoln famously said ‘You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.’ In an age of televised electoral debates, the pressure on our politicians to convince the majority of the electorate they can deliver on their promises has never been greater.
In a short video trailer which features footage of Gordon Brown, Winston Churchill, Tony Blair, George Bush and Barack Obama, politicians Glenda Jackson and William Hague are among those who discuss the role of acting in politics, while an audio commentary presented by The Open University’s Professor of Politics Mike Saward looks at the demands on the politician as a performer.
Politics for ipod
Governments across the world have to make controversial decisions everyday. Whether it be raising taxes, cutting budgets or going to war, there will always be opposition. The tracks on this album look at how governments make decisions, form policies and sometimes manipulate information to help their cause.
The four video tracks focus on the GM debate. Audio tracks investigate how spin was used during the lead up to the war on Iraq, and explore protest and environmental action by the public in relation to issues of toxic and nuclear waste. In the final three of the audio tracks, course team member Andy Dobson explains why these topics were chosen for this course, and unpicks some of the issues that emerge. The material forms part of the course DD203 Politics.
Find out more:
photo by Alan Cleaver's photostream
With the local government elections taking place on 3 May, the focus is firmly on politics again. Find out more about why we vote or not and how politicians deal with the ever growing pressure to deliver on their promises in the OU's iTunes U. Politics of participation Why do people choose to vote, or indeed, not to vote? The Open University's Professor Michael Saward is ...
It's Universities Week - get involved!
Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the great things which are being achieved.
Some famous Olympians including Open University Honorary Graduate; Dame Kelly Holmes share stories of their university days and say why they are supporting Universities week 2012.
The week will culminate in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships, which will be held in the Olympic Stadium as part of the London Prepares series.
This is the third annual national campaign of its kind and it is supported by universities across the UK and a wide range of organisations including Podium, the National Union of Students (NUS), Research Councils UK, GuildHE, the Universities Marketing Forum, Higher Education Funding Council for England and many more. The campaign is being coordinated by Universities UK and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
Find out more:
- Join and share your comments in the Universities week 2012 group
- Are you involved in the Olympics? - volunteering then tell us more in the Olympics group
- What kind of sport would you do in the Olympics? try Olympisize me on OpenLearn
- Study a sports course with the OU
Picture credit: SportsBusiness' photostream
Universities Week 2012 (30 April–7 May) aims to increase public awareness of the wide and varied role of the UK’s universities. The theme this year is the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Universities including the OU have a high level of involvement in the Games or activity in relation to them. A recently published impact report shows just some of the ...
Three students win chance to further their career with OU study
In September the OU will welcome three lucky new students. They are the winners of recent competition run in the 'Work' section of 'The Guardian', the prize, a chance to study with on an Open University course.
6,000 people applied, but the prize is no mean feat. Two winners will study for an undergraduate degree and one for a postgraduate degree which will take a huge amount of commitment, time and self-motivation. This opportunity reflects the work/study balance faced by many OU students.
The three winners are: Sophie Tease, Brian Magorrian and Steve Lawson will commence their studies in September 2012.
Platform caught up with them to find out more about what they hope to achieve from their degrees.
How does it feel to have won the competition?
I was very surprised when I found out that I had won! I had been browsing OU courses before the competition was announced but there was no way I could justify or afford to do another degree at this time. I entered the competition on a complete off-chance and couldn't believe it when I won. But I am really excited about the chance to study a new subject. I love learning and I am very interested in economics, my chosen subject
Are you studying for career or personal development?
I want to work in policy and would like to understand economic theory in much more detail, especially in light of the global financial crisis. The more I have studied law, the more it seems that I need a proper grasp of economics in order to engage in the debates. Plus I have always enjoyed maths and regret giving it up at school so this is a chance to refresh my skills and learn how to interpret empirical social science research.
I studied Law at Bristol University and am currently completely a Masters in Law at Harvard. I am focusing on policy areas such as education, climate, energy, financial regulation and poverty.
My reasons for studying further are pretty much evenly split between personal enjoyment and career goals. I also really like the model of studying part-time while working.
What are your future aspirations once you have completed the course?
My career goals are to work in policy formation or implementation, either for government or NGOs.
How does it feel to have won the competition?
It felt great to win the competition. I was delighted to have the opportunity to study with The Open University (an institution I have held in high regard). I look forward to having fun learning and grabbing this opportunity which I am fortunate enough to get.
Why are you studying Psychology?
It’s an interesting subject. I wanted to do something that I am really interested in as I feel one will be more inclined to put more effort in if one is interested in the subject.
What studying have you done in the past?
Mental health nurse training. ‘O’ levels, ‘A’ levels (including Film studies which was very enjoyable), diplomas in health care, teaching and assessing courses in nursing, a C.B.T course and several others in the health care field.
What are you reasons for wanting to study: career, personal development?
I want to enhance my knowledge and understanding of a subject which is very relevant to my work. With the future of healthcare somewhat uncertain in some ways I am keen to bolster my credentials so I can do my current job even better and allow myself to include knowledge and skills acquired in possible job applications in the future.
What are your future aspirations once you have completed the course?
Well...I don't know for sure but I hope to continue to help people with mental health problems. I might be able to work in a different area of mental health to my current one. Time will tell. Of course i have to continue to pay the bills as well!
How does it feel to have won the competition?
It is amazing to have won, I was so surprised when I found out! Very lucky.
Why have you chosen this subject area?
I have been working in this area for a few years and intend to continue to, so this course will improve my skills and knowledge.
What are you reasons for wanting to study: career, personal development?
Since graduating I have considered further study, it would need to be part-time to fit in with working full-time. When I saw this competition I thought it would be the perfect opportunity
.
What was your first degree in and where did you study?
I graduated with a BSc Mathematics from Imperial College in 2002.
What are your future aspirations once you have completed the course?
I plan to continue working in software development. There are always new technologies to learn and work with which is something that I enjoy.
Find out more:
In September the OU will welcome three lucky new students. They are the winners of recent competition run in the 'Work' section of 'The Guardian', the prize, a chance to study with on an Open University course. 6,000 people applied, but the prize is no mean feat. Two winners will study for an undergraduate degree and one for a postgraduate degree which will take a huge amount of commitment, ...
David's 300km walking challenge to support OU students
David has chosen to support the OU in this amazing challenge following his experiences whilst studying for his BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies.
He said “I'm walking 300 km for The Open University because they do a great work to help students.”
The first walk that David is the London to Brighton challenge which is a 100km day and night walk taking place from 12 May to 13 May. He will then have a two month rest before flying to Schleswig in Germany to undertake a 300km walk up to Viborg in Denmark from 8 July to 14 July. It will be the fourth time that David has taken part in the Haervesvandring event.
David will only then have three days’ rest before travelling to Holland for the final part: The Walk of the World event, which is a three day 160km march around the city of Nijmegen and an event David has taken part in eighteen times.
Throughout the whole of the charity raising walks, David will be paying for all his expenses, including accommodation, registration and travel. Therefore every penny that is donated will be going straight to the OU.
The Open University believes it is possible to create a better world by making higher education available to anyone, anywhere. Education enhances life chances and lifts people out of poverty. It creates new knowledge, expands horizons and inspires joy in learning.
The OU received £2.4 million in donations in 2010/11 to support its work widening access to education in the UK and overseas. If you would like to sponsor David Onana on his long distance 300km plus walks
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Open University alumnus David Onana is about to start the first stage of a 300km sponsored walk which he will undertake over the next few months. All the money raised will be donated to The Open University to help support students and projects which aim to make education accessible to all. David has chosen to support the OU in this amazing challenge following his ...
A preview of the April Senate meeting from your Senate rep
OU alumni and graduate Senate representative De Petrina Stevens discusses what will be covered in the next Senate meeting....
Perhaps it is true that not all graduates and alumni are familiar with the workings of Senate, and I know that I was unaware of its true role before I became the Graduate representative on Senate. I thought you may be interested to read the constitution of Senate, as I had occasion to be reminded of it myself when reading the papers for the next meeting. It states “The Senate is the academic authority of the University which, subject to the powers of the Council, is responsible for promoting the academic work of the University both in teaching and research. It oversees the University’s academic management, including the curriculum and all aspects of quality and standards associated with the University as a degree-awarding body. It has the power to make regulations, including those which (subject to the approval of the Council) delegate any of its powers. Senate meetings concentrate on major issues of academic strategy, policy, priority and performance.”
It would be impossible and indeed inefficient for the whole of Senate to be initially involved in too much detail. In order to be more effective in overseeing the University’s academic management, Senate has to delegate more detailed governance to various committees whose members are taken from Senate.
One of those committees is the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee (QAEC). Its role is to assure Senate that quality assurance and enhancement arrangements are appropriately established and implemented, and to oversee the University’s engagement with external quality assurance processes. The committee also monitors and reviews action and institutional performance, assures quality and standards and advises other governance bodies or management so it has a pivotal role to play.
The QAEC has to meet not less than three times a year and reports each meeting to Senate. These reports have not in the past been evaluative and Senate will be asked to comment on the suggestion that in future they also provide an annual evaluative report. Suggestions made by Senate will provide the committee with a context for developing its first evaluative annual report, so comments from you are welcome.
The Student Support Review Update
You may remember a while back, around June last year to be more precise, I was talking about the recommendations of the Student Report. As possible future students, should you be thinking of returning to study, or as someone who may suggest OU study to another, understanding the restructuring of student support may be helpful.
There were two recommendations; the first being that a student support structure should be based around the curriculum area, rather than the geographical area in which the student is studying. The second recommendation was that the University should organise the new curriculum-led support structure through the creation of Student Support Teams.
The Student Support Review is implementing these two recommendations in developing Curriculum Support Teams (CSTs) within the Study Experience Programme (SEP), (who said/hoped acronyms were dead?!).
Each of the four nations of the UK will host their own CSTs. It is hoped that UK-wide support for nations will help them sustain a close relationship with the university, whilst encouraging a distinction in their provision for students.
The most suitable way to transition the move from the geographically-based support structure to the new curriculum-led student support structure is to ensure sufficient time for the change to happen with the least disruption to students as possible. The projected system will therefore not be fully in place until October 2013, with regular monitoring and communication enabling as smooth a changeover as possible.
Please let me have your comments at any time.
OU alumni and graduate Senate representative De Petrina Stevens discusses what will be covered in the next Senate meeting.... Perhaps it is true that not all graduates and alumni are familiar with the workings of Senate, and I know that I was unaware of its true role before I became the Graduate representative on Senate. I thought you may be interested to read the constitution of ...
Senate report April 2012: How can alumni help?
OU community representative on Senate: Dr Petrina Stevens, reports from the latest meeting......
'Can't we can make more use of our Alumni?' was the question asked by a Senate member in this week's meeting. The topic being discussed was our Postgraduate Strategy, but to arrive at the point where this question was asked I need to take you through the preceding issues which lead to this question.
It seems that application enquiries for the academic year 2012/13 will reach our 500,000 target which is encouraging. Contrary to newspaper reports the university application rates for England have only fallen by 1 per cent but they remain the same for the rest of the UK. The applications for full-time degrees by older people however is down, but this may be because many have turned to part-time study, which in turn may be because of the change in retirement age which means older people are still working. There is an opportunity here for the OU to attract people who may now prefer part-time courses due to their change of circumstances.
Our postgraduate numbers however, are not what they might be as many students move on to other universities for their postgraduate work, although most of the postgraduate students in the OU are in fact from other universities. Senate sees it as a worrying trend that we are not able to retain our own students to progress them into their postgraduate work.
A number of possible reasons were suggested:
- The lack of personal communication with an academic faculty and tutor was a possible problem.
- Postgraduate tutors often introduce their students to their field of expertise and all their established networking opportunities, which is useful to any student who wants to develop within their field. This could be seen as deeply problematic for the OU, as it is difficult to offer those opportunities in distance learning
- Most postgraduates wish to enter a Master's programme, and we have had our successes, especially with our MBA and M.A. in Education, which have a vocational base. Other postgraduate courses however, have not done as well in attracting students in great numbers. Senate was assured that this is being addressed, by looking at ways in which tutors interact with students, and the development of greater student and tutor interaction through technologies such as podcasts and conferences.
This is how we came to the initial question, 'Can't we can make more use of our Alumni?'. Professional Alumni opportunities and networking were suggested by a member as a possible way forward, although marketing shows that this is not particularly highly valued. As Alumni and Graduates, do you feel that you can make any contribution to encouraging students into postgraduate work in your field? If so, by what means do you think it would be possible for Alumni and Graduates to contribute?
I leave it to you to inwardly digest as I would be interested in your suggestions. Please comment on this article below. However I do have further reports from today's Senate meeting, which will be posted in separate postings in the days to come.
Find out more:
OU community representative on Senate: Dr Petrina Stevens, reports from the latest meeting...... 'Can't we can make more use of our Alumni?' was the question asked by a Senate member in this week's meeting. The topic being discussed was our Postgraduate Strategy, but to arrive at the point where this question was asked I need to take you through the preceding issues which lead to this ...
