Open Learning

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Results: 491 items

Health, Sports & Psychology

How places affect well-being

This free course looks at how where people live affects their well-being. This includes the kind of neighbourhood people live in, how places are organised and run, as well as the detail of the layout of buildings. You will learn about some of the ways that psychologists explain the links between places and well-being. This includes some of the ...

Free course

4 hrs

Science, Maths & Technology

Why do we feel happier in the spring?

The arrival of spring is often associated with improved mood and energy levels, and an increased desire to spend time outside and to see friends and family. But why is this?

Article

5 mins

Nature & Environment

The Valentine's rose trade story in a dozen roses

Roses, the flower of love and romance, are a summer flower. So is Valentine’s Day to blame for such huge international trade in cut rose stems? Professor David Gowing and Dr Yoseph Araya explore the history of the rose.

Article

5 mins

Nature & Environment

Volunteers in Green Social prescribing: contributions and inclusion

Volunteers are known to play a wide range of roles in nature conservation, whether it is maintaining green spaces, or educating the public about the nature in their surroundings. Increasingly volunteers are now helping in supporting wellbeing initiatives outdoors.

Article

5 mins

Nature & Environment

Milton Keynes: energy capital of the UK?

Professor Peter (Jake) Chapman has made a large contribution to society, especially with his work which led to the energy rating of all buildings. Watch a film which explores what happened when Jake of The Open University and an architect of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation recognised the dangers of increased energy on the climate. ...

Article

5 mins

Nature & Environment

Hidden soil allies – fungi that help plants face drought

Climate change makes droughts more frequent and intense, threatening the food we grow and eat every day. Luckily, plants have invisible allies under the soil – tiny fungi called mycorrhizae that help them survive in tough times.

Article

5 mins

Nature & Environment

COP28: inside the United Arab Emirates, the oil giant who hosted the 2023 climate change summit

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the world’s seventh largest oil producer, hosted the 28th UN climate change summit (COP28) in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December in 2023. Presiding over the conference was the chief executive of the UAE state-owned oil company Adnoc, Sultan al-Jaber.

Article

10 mins