Equality, diversity and inclusion

Co-designing inclusive and accessible distance learning film and media curriculum at Level 1

Project leader(s):  Kaya Davies-Hayon Mark Fryers

This project originates from the new Department of Film and Media and aims at designing a new Level One curriculum with diversity and inclusivity embedded as its core principles.

Transition to Postgraduate Study: the MA in Music

Project leader(s):  Rosemary Golding Byron Dueck

This project considers some of the barriers students might face when moving onto the MA in Music, either from within the OU or with prior experience of higher education from external institutions.

Exploring the experience of ‘previously registered’ students

Project leader(s):  Janet Hunter Karen Twiselton

The aim of the project is to explore the experience of students who have been registered on the same module for one or more previous presentations, have either withdrawn, deferred, or been deregistered, and have subsequently returned to study on the same module.

Assessing the effectiveness of targeted forum activities in relation to student retention

Project leader(s):  Emilie Rutledge Roberto Simonetti Julia Chukwuma

This project considers student retention rates in relation to forum activity participation. While an array of factors—individual and institutional—impact these rates in Higher Education, creating a strong sense of student community is one organisational level measure that can addressed.

How does recording affect Creative Writing tutorials:-a first-year review

Project leader(s):  Natalie Lewis Donall MacCathmhaoill Emma Claire Sweeney Lania Knight

In the first year of presentation (October 2022), the OU Level 2 module Creative Writing will record designated online tutorials.

Diversifying End of Module Assessment project options on a Level 3 Classical Studies module - Benefits and Challenges for students and lecturers

Project leader(s):  Astrid Voigt Emma Bridges

This project investigates the benefits and challenges – for both students and educators – of an innovative assessment format which aims to make assessment more inclusive and authentic for Classical Studies students.

Evaluating the Impact of ‘Write Now’ Sessions: Adapting Approaches from Academic Writing Retreats to Create a Learning Community of Student Writers on A233

Project leader(s):  Debbie Parker Kinch Anactoria Clarke Jasmine Hunter Evans

The scholarship project will pilot and evaluate ‘write now’ sessions on the Open University English Literature module A233 ‘Telling Stories: the novel and beyond’.  These will be live online sessions aimed at helping students get writing, alongside other students who form a writing community

Strengthening the PhD Culture in the School of Psychology & Counselling

Project leader(s):  Eleni Andreouli Simon Clarke Julian Bond

A longstanding challenge faced by students and educators alike is the difficulty in maintaining an active PhD research culture, which, in turn, can have a negative impact on doctoral students’ progression and in the quality of their studies. The reasons of this are multiple.

Improving the Diversity of the History Curriculum

Project leader(s):  John Slight Luc-Andre Brunet

The purpose of this scholarship project is to investigate student attitudes towards the racial and ethnic diversity of the existing History curriculum, gather information about this issue from experienced ALs who teach on History modules, and consult with academics at other universities on their

Teaching Sensitive Topics

Project leader(s):  Stephen Robinson David Morrison