OpenLearn Profile

Karen Foley

Karen Foley

Professional biography
Karen Foley is a Lecturer in Learning and Teaching Innovation at the Open University and is responsible for developing and delivering the Student Hub Live, a platform of online interactive events that facilitate open access to an academic community. In previous roles, Karen was an academic consultant for the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, developing the concept of online interactive conferences and various forms of synchronous and asynchronous formats to promote these (including online workshops, podcasts and audio dramas). Karen enjoys interviewing colleagues, and has recently been involved with the “Historians on History” series for a level two History module. I am passionate about lifelong learning, and as well as teaching, I continue to study. I am currently doing a doctorate in Education that links to my work with the Student Hub Live. I am also learning to play the cello, and enjoy sports and exercise. My first undergraduate degree was in Theatre and Film and English, something that was a luxury, but has become incredibly useful in my current role! I studied Psychology and also trained as a counsellor, but for me contributing to the world now involves creating platforms that are open and inclusive to students who are studying at a distance.