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Health, Sports & Psychology
‘Shut up and play’: a brief history of athlete activism
Despite many sports organisers and fans maintaining a belief that sport and politics do not mix, sport has consistently proven itself as a breeding ground for activism and protest. The argument that sport and politics should be kept separate is perhaps most prevalent when it comes to athletes expressing their political views. This article ...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
The case of Simone Biles and perceptions of athlete mental health
American gymnast Simone Biles was in among the medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, when she withdrew from several events at Tokyo 2020 due to mental health struggles, she came under fire from both the global media and the general public. The social media response revealed a polarising narrative, with many supporting Biles and engaging in...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
The football World Cup: where sport and politics collide
Occasionally, controversies arise that remind us of the link between sport and politics. It was once common for leading figures in the sporting world to declare that sport was, effectively, a politics-free zone. Sport was cast as the perpetual innocent party, liable to be corrupted by any connection with politics. However, it has become ...
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Sense of self during ageing: how mindfulness and nature can help
How can the great outdoors help us to age well? It's all in understanding the ageing process, acceptance and the quest for purpose, say the experts.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
The gift of being a foster carer
What is our conception of fostering? This article explores the reality behind the myths and what fostering means for our communities.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Grief during COVID-19: supporting our colleagues to return to work and thrive following loss
Even if we have been fortunate enough not to experience loss ourselves during this pandemic, there may be colleagues who have. So, how can we support grieving colleagues during these challenging times?
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Valuing death at home: making preparations
Death is part of life and is something we all need to face, not only our own death but the deaths of those around us. Yet many of us are unprepared for this major event in our lives.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
The Science of Fear
Recoil at the number 13? Scream at spiders? At some point, we all get scared. But why, and how? This article explores the science behind fear.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Racial inequities in health: The impact of COVID-19 in Wales and beyond
The ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on long-standing inequities in health within Black and minority ethnic communities in Wales, the UK and beyond.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Anghydraddoldebau hiliol mewn iechyd: Effaith COVID-19 yng Nghymru a thu hwnt
Y modd y mae COVID-19 wedi taflu goleuni ar anghydraddoldebau hirsefydlog mewn iechyd o fewn cymunedau Du a lleiafrifoedd ethnig yng Nghymru, y DU a thu hwnt.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
The OU Welcomes Carers
Carers face significant challenges combining work and education with caring responsibilities. The Open University helps get carers back into education and this article explains how much support is available.
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Money & Business
MSE’s Academy of Money
The Open University has joined forces with MoneySavingExpert (MSE) to give you the skills and knowledge to master your finances. Packed with videos, audios, quizzes and activities the course covers all the key aspects of personal finance in six sessions of study that each take around two hours to complete.