Engineering and innovation symbols on glass

School of Engineering and Innovation

Leading the OU’s teaching in Engineering, Design, Technology & Innovation Management, Systems Thinking and Environmental Management and has highly rated Design and Materials Engineering research.

School of Engineering and Innovation

We aim to make an impact on individuals, organisations and communities that have to design, develop, build and manage complex systems involving technologies of all kinds. Our disciplines combine both analysis and synthesis, ranging from engineering, through design and systems thinking to environmental and technology management.

We take a broad view of engineering and innovation in all our activities. Our teaching covers many forms of formal, non-formal and informal courses and educational resources. Our wide ranging research and scholarship covers several Research Excellence Framework (REF) units of assessment. Our expertise is used in various commercial, not-for-profit and grant funded activities both nationally and internationally.  

We are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to enhance our reach into, and impact on, currently underserved groups and organisations in line with The Open University’s mission.

News

Dr Folasayo Olalere (E&I) recently co-edited a book titled Camera in Times of Crisis: Focus on Africa, along with two other editors: Dr Kehinde Adewumi and Prof. Giles Duniya.

7th November 2025

In September 2025, Dr Nicole Lotz gave a keynote speech at the 4th International Colloquium of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI). Here, Nicole recounts her experience and the insights gained.

19th September 2025

Dr Iestyn Jowers (E&I) will be giving a short talk at the opening event of the City of Codes and Light festival on 01 October 2025. Organised by Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture (MKIAC), the event takes place at Bletchley Park.

19th September 2025

In May 2025, Dr. Ho Kyeom Kim and Dr.

16th September 2025

On Thursday 11th September 2025, a new 26-part OU/BBC series of BBC Inside Science started on BBC Radio 4. 

22nd August 2025