Languages
Sylvia Plath and the linguistics of depression
Could the type of language people use reveal something about their state of mind? A close reading of Sylvia Plath's journals suggest it might be possible.
Society, Politics & Law
Why are synthetic drugs such a problem for the UK's prisons?
Spice, and other synthetic drugs, are spreading through UK prisons at a rate that the authorities are struggling to respond to. The OU's David Scott explains why.
Education & Development
Free School Meals: An OpenLearn reading list
The provision of a hot meal at lunchtime to pupils is often at the heart of political debate. We dip into some of the research around the subject.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Why is Mongolia a good place to die?
A campaigning doctor has helped make Mongolia a better place to die than many much wealthier nations. Andrew North met her to find out how.
Society, Politics & Law
Timeline: Marx, Nietzsche and Freud
Explore the lives and works of Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud with our interactive timeline.
Languages
How can your accent put your life at risk?
Stories from Australia and the US reveal how dangerous it can be when listeners fail to take people seriously because of their accented English.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Ads of our time – are teens susceptible to food ads in digital media?
The OU's Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden discusses what psychology can tell us about teens’ susceptibility to food ads in digital media.
Society, Politics & Law
How can authorities plan for an unexpected terrorist tactic?
Parliament’s security is under review following the attack in Westminster. But, when pedestrians could be hit next to Big Ben, there may be more to review than the protection of the building alone. Patrick Dunleavy asks whether our approaches to security are as effective as they could be, considering the constantly shifting terrorist methods. He...
Money & Business
Care for the elderly
Peter Bloom looks at the main contemporary challenges for elderly care.
History & The Arts
Methods in Motion: Remaking experimental philosophy
The emerging experimental philosophy movement, borrowing approaches from psychology, is interesting - but it can and should go further, believes Claire Hewson
Health, Sports & Psychology
How are insect wings helping replace antibiotics?
Indian researchers have taken inspiration from nature to develop a way of protecting replacement hips and joints from infection - without the need for antibiotics.
Society, Politics & Law
Is it a good thing that Donald Trump trusts Vladimir Putin?
Although a US President expressing warmth for a Russian leader might be unconventional, Dr Eszter Simon believes a modicum of trust might help international relations.