Alumni Association
What's on at the OU? As an OU graduate, you have access to a number of free, online events across your University. Here are the latest events you can attend. Just click on the links to find out more and save your place. We look forward to seeing you!
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - 12:00 to 13:15
Online via YouTube
We would be delighted if you could join us on Wednesday 24 April for an exclusive Open University online event created especially for our wonderful alumni community.
Join us for an exclusive Open University alumni event filled with fascinating speakers and expert academics from across your University – OpenMinds Live. This event will bring to life just some of the stories in the OpenMinds magazine in an exciting live event.
There is plenty to look forward to in what promises to be a truly fascinating afternoon where we share some of the projects, research, and heartfelt stories from across our OU family.
Wednesday, 24 April, 2024 - 14:00 to 18:30
Thursday 25 April, 2024 - 14:00 to 18:30
Online (Microsoft Teams)
The Open University is hosting a free online conference, for anyone interested in the education sector, from early years to further education, anywhere in the UK. Evolutions in Education will consist of interactive sessions, panels and talks considering how The Open University works across the UK with practitioners in a wide range of educational settings. It also offers an opportunity to meet education colleagues from across the UK and to find new resources, build networks and share your experiences.
The sessions will be led by Open University academic and external engagement staff and will explore the themes and topics mentioned in a highly interactive, innovative and open way. Each session will be based around discussing current practice and experience, giving those taking part the opportunity to learn from colleagues across the UK and across settings.
Thursday 25 April, 2024 - 18:00 to 19:00
Online and in person
The Open University's Faculty of STEM are bringing you a hybrid edition of Ask the Experts! Whether you join us at the Geological Society in London or online, you can engage with our panel. Please note that in-person tickets are limited, but we can accommodate larger numbers online. Please book the correct tickets, as each ticket type will receive different information.
Finding life beyond Earth is a key objective of many current and future space exploration missions. But how can we be sure that if we detect life, the spacecraft hasn't taken it there? “Planetary protection” principles safeguard Solar System bodies from contamination by Earth life and protect Earth from possible life forms that may be returned from other Solar System bodies.
This event brings together some of the world’s foremost experts on planetary protection to explore what is meant by planetary protection, how the latest research is used to develop guidelines for missions, how these might differ depending on which planetary environment is the mission target, and what the future of planetary protection might look like as the space sector expands.
May, Various Locations and Dates
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the British Isles at this big-screen talk, featuring highlights from the acclaimed BBC series, never-before seen footage, and insight from visionary producer Alastair Fothergill.
Alastair’s long-term creative partnership with Sir David Attenborough produced many groundbreaking BBC series including "Blue Planet" and "Planet Earth”. Both visionaries in the realm of nature documentaries, Fothergill and Attenborough contribute their unique perspectives to crafting narratives that inspire environmental awareness. Their shared commitment to showcasing the beauty of the natural world has not only produced captivating content but has also contributed to a broader conversation on conservation and biodiversity. Together, they stand as influential figures in the ongoing effort to highlight the wonders of our planet.
At Wild Isles Live, you can join Alastair on a captivating journey through the British Isles' most curious and breathtaking landscapes - from golden eagles on the Highlands’ coasts to the weird and wonderful world of our woodland undergrowth - followed by a live Q&A.
For more information and tickets.
Thursday 9 May, 2024 - 13:00 to 14:00
Online (Microsoft Teams) or in person on the OU's Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes
In her Inaugural Lecture, Olga Jurasz, Professor of Law in the OU’s Faculty of Business & Law, will explore the uneasy relationship between violence, law and women’s lives using three examples: conflict-related sexual violence, online violence against women and the impact that withdrawal of rights and laws has on violence they experience.
Find out more and register
Thursday 23 May, 2024 - 12:00 to 13:00
Online (Microsoft Teams)
Professor Catherine Porter is Director of the Young Lives Research Programme at the University of Oxford and Professor of Development Economics at Lancaster University. She will be joining us at The Open University for this lunchtime webinar to discuss recent research from the Young Lives project which has documented the impact of climate shocks (floods, droughts) during early childhood on later life outcomes including educational attainment and social and emotional skills.
Find out more and register
Thursday 20 June, 2024 - 16:00 to 17:00
Online
Quality higher education (HE) is not easily accessible to the forcibly displaced. The numbers are alarming: in 2023, the number of displaced people worldwide had risen to 108 million - the highest ever recorded. Universities can be agents for change in this humanitarian crisis – from providing scholarships and opportunities to access and participate in HE for students from a refugee background to advocating for refugee’s human rights.
In this seminar, Dr Koula Charitonos will talk about the role of universities in responding to this humanitarian crisis. She will provide empirical evidence from a study conducted at The Open University with a group of students from refugee backgrounds to reflect on insights generated in navigating studies, relations, institutional systems, policies and practices and importantly, to highlight the university’s journey to becoming a sanctuary university.
Find out more and register
Thursday 20 June, 2024 - 17:00 to 18:00
Online and in person
In her inaugural lecture, Clara Mancini, Professor of Animal-Computer Interaction in the OU’s Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, will talk about her research journey in the field of Animal-Computer Interaction, shared with colleagues from across the world, to develop the art and science of designing technology for and with animals.
She will call for a radical rethink of how technology could support a sustainable development by encouraging us to start thinking ‘outside the (human) box’.