Tomorrow's World

Ever tried to picture how many neurons we have inside our brain but can't envisage it? Use this busy beach analogy to help you understand the brain: 

Why do robots that look human (but not quite human enough) make us uncomfortable?

As old age approaches, Geoff Watts confronts an inevitable future in the care of robots. But that doesn’t mean he likes it.

The issue "should robots have rights?" opened proceedings at a Walking With Robots (WWR) dialogue event.

Artificial Intelligence seems very much of our time - but as Jessica Riskin explains, history records many attempts to create machines that think.

One goal of artificial intelligence is to build machines that can operate in the real world, with all its noise and uncertainty. Much of what we want machines to do (see, recognise, navigate, move, coordinate) is already done very well by simple creatures. In this free course, Natural intelligence, we look at how such creatures achieve these ...

This free course will help you to navigate your own path through the complex landscape of smart cities. You’ll hear from smart city innovators and entrepreneurs, city leaders, communities and business, connecting with learners from around the world to reflect on issues facing smart cities of different sizes and situations.

The internet of things brings numerous advantages as our towns and cities become smarter - but there are also security risks. Brian Nussbaum is reassured that we're already talking about the potential downsides.

With so many researchers all over the world producing information, is there a way for other scientists to look at large sets of results and use them to make new discoveries? 

In an animated fashion, Hans Rosling shows us the correct way to display data on health across the world.

What is microgravity, and how does it help science research? This series, funded by the UK Space Agency, explores how we recreate microgravity conditions on Earth, and why they are beneficial to scientific research.

Loss of the Mars lander from its recent probe is diappointing, but the search for life on Mars goes on.

The Rosetta mission is just what's needed to inspire future astronauts and space scientists, writes Dr Natalie Starkey.

Climate change is a key issue on today's social and political agenda. This free course explores the basic science that underpins climate change and global warming.

Dr Tamsin Edwards discusses her research on climate change and the instability of Antarctic ice sheets.

The Arctic climate is changing so quickly that science can barely keep track of what is happening and predict the global consequences, the UN says.

Why would scientists want to alter the DNA of organisms or cells? One OU Ph.D. student explains all you need to know about genome editing...

Ever heard of CRISPR/Cas9? OU research student, Sonia Azeggagh, explains the impact of this genome editing technology on biology and medicine:

What are the links between mood disorders and a type of pesticide called Organophosphates? One OU PhD student explains their research... 

Can "e-therapies" be beneficial to those experiencing psychological issues, particularly young people? Dr Mathijs Lucassen looks at the evidence...

Indian researchers have taken inspiration from nature to develop a way of protecting replacement hips and joints from infection - without the need for antibiotics. 

How does sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm affect shift workers' cognition? Emily Breese, a postgraduate student at The OU, explains the importance of her research on this: