Our research

SCiLAB facilitates pioneering research into online teaching and learning in business and law.

Our research examines the theory and practice of online teaching and learning in both business and law: promoting cutting-edge developments; enhancing and informing policy and practice, supporting sharing of best practice and building relationships with other organisations.

Our findings also inform curriculum in the following areas:

Implementation or assessment of initiatives to enhance student employability and career progression within a module or programme of study
Development, application or assessment of appropriate pedagogies to enhance the student experience and promote innovations in digital teaching and learning
Exchange of knowledge and shared good practice in teaching and learning either within the Faculty of Business and Law or across Faculties
Analysis of how students and tutors work within the online environment
Innovations in work based learning
Working with Artificial Intelligence technologies in teaching and learning.

Our projects

Here is a selection of some SCiLAB-led projects:

Academic transitions project

Exploring the journey individuals make from previous professional identities to ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ academics.

Work Based Learning Community of Practice

This group aims to explore challenges, opportunities, and tensions around the growing field of the intersection in higher education, workforce policy and employer development.

The Law School Belonging Project

This project was a direct response to student feedback highlighting issues of isolation in distance learning and wanting more opportunities to meet peers and staff.

Vicarious trauma project

The project aimed to investigate the impact of providing vicarious trauma training within a clinical legal education and law curriculum setting, including the importance of planning, teaching, and delivering such training.

International HE partnerships for ODL and employability

An ongoing scholarship project between the Faculty of Business and Law at The Open University, and the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning (IODeL) at Makerere University in Uganda, aimed at improving the quality of open distance learning at both institutions.