The Open University

The Open University based in Milton Keynes is the largest university in the UK with more than 250,000 students, 1,200 full-time academic staff and 1,300 research students. As a world class distance learning university we have students based in numerous countries within and outside the European Union. The Open University (OU) is consistently ranked among the top UK universities for the quality of its teaching. In addition The OU supports a vibrant research portfolio and fosters research teams who compete with top ranked institutions in the UK and worldwide. In the latest UK Government Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) an impressive 72% of the University’s research scored as 3 or 4 star - the highest available, indicating that the research is world-leading or internationally excellent in our outputs, impact on wider society and research environment. The OU is ranked forty-first for the overall quality and quantity of its research according to the 'Research Power' scores

Knowledge exchange is fundamental to the OU's mission to be ‘open to people, places, ideas and methods’. We aim for all research to have a distinct and material impact across the economy, society and cultural life.

A number of recent highlights from OU research:

The OU is researching the hazards arising from persistently active volcanoes. This work is shedding light on the links between changes in the magma system deep beneath a volcano and the environmental impact downwind of the volcano. A key aspect of this research has been the involvement of volunteer citizen scientists and also the way it has engaged local communities. The research has led to the formation of an international network of collaborators working closely with local communities, government-run volcano observatories, universities and citizen scientists who undertake measurements at active volcanoes across the world.

The Open University’s Design Group has influenced the development of sustainable energy systems in the following ways:
•Examined consumer adoption and use of low carbon technologies, including photovoltaic, solar thermal, heat pump and biomass heating systems.
•Examined the effect of control design and heating behaviours on heat pump efficiency e.g. poor understanding of controls, and ‘comfort-taking’.
•Identified design and policy changes that could improve take-up and efficient use of these low carbon products and systems e.g. more user-centred controls and independent information on the suitability, performance and use of equipment.

The Open University is advising the UK's National Health Service on its service redesign.

The OU has reached millions of people through a prime time TV programme, Frozen Planet, communicating polar science.
•It was the highest rating natural history science television programme in the UK since 2001.
•As a result, 263,000 polar maps containing OU science research were requested by the UK public.
•The series prompted a public debate which influenced the passage of the UK Antarctic Bill through the Houses of Parliament.

TBC

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No lobbyists with EP accreditations

None declared

Ms Gemma Maldar (Research Development, Senior Officer)

Ms Joanne Vango (Commercial Legal Services Manager)

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