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History & The Arts
Deconstructing the Moors: black presence in the United Kingdom before and during the Tudor period
Dr Carol J. Brown-Leonardi delves into the largely unknown history of black settlers in the UK before and during the sixteenth century in this talk and accompanying article.
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Nature & Environment
Early reflections from Glasgow on COP26
Chief OU observer ‘optimistic’ after first three days.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
What do we need to know about our memory?
Our brain changes as we age, but are there any ways we can improve our memory and thinking skills? This article explores...
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Nature & Environment
Universities United
Reflections on how higher education institutions are working together to tackle climate change.
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Languages
About The Open Centre for Languages and Cultures
Welcome to the OpenLearn Hub of the Open Centre for Languages and Cultures, a collection of free taster courses in a range of languages and communication-related subjects.
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Society, Politics & Law
Discussing intersectionality: race, gender and social class
What is intersectionality and why are race, gender, social class and intersectionality important to social research? This series of videos explores...
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Education & Development
Succeed in the workplace
Do you want to change jobs, are you just starting in the job market or may be returning after a break? If so, then this free course, Succeed in the workplace, is for you. It will help you explore career opportunities. You will also gain the skills to write strong CVs and application forms, and to handle different types of interviews. By the end ...
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Education & Development
15 facts about number 15
OpenLearn turns 15 this week, so we’ve listed 15 facts about the number 15 – and linked each fact to a related FREE course, interactive or video.
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Nature & Environment
The first 25 years: OU Renewable Energy Education
Derek Taylor reflects on the 25 years since launching the innovative Open University T521 Renewable Energy Pack for Tertiary Education. This was a revolutionary development for the OU.
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Education & Development
What are the benefits of interdisciplinary study?
It seems to be a buzzword in education and one that gets thrown around quite a lot these days. But what does 'interdisciplinary' study really mean? And why is it so desirable?
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History & The Arts
When Edward met Bertha: Mental Health, Colonialism, Race and Patriarchy in Jane Eyre
Bertha Mason is described as the ‘insane’ ex-wife of Mr Rochester in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. What does the depiction of her tell us about views of mental illness, patriarchal society and ethnicity in the Victorian era? Siobhán Halliday explores in this personal reflection on race and colonialism as prompted by the novel.
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History & The Arts
Is Anthropology of Religion Racist?
Were early studies in anthropology structured by white supremacy and what does the anthropology of religion look like today? Dr Paul-François Tremlett explores...