You are here

  1. Home
  2. OU Politics academic appointed to fellowship

OU Politics academic appointed to fellowship

profile of Donna Smith

Dr Donna Smith, Senior Lecturer and Staff Tutor in Politics and International Studies (POLIS) within the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS), has been made a Fellow of the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) at the University of London.

The appointment, made to thought-leaders in distance learning and open education, recognises her vital contributions to improving student achievement and experience at The Open University.

Deputy Associate Dean for Teaching and Students within the OU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), Dr Smith is also Chair of the new media and politics short course, 'Media, Politics, and Society’ – a partnership with the British Film Institute.

Dr Smith received the coveted title in December 2021 and will be joining the other 26 Fellows at the CDE. The centre works to enhance student experience and improve student achievement through the deployment of open and distance education. It supports a community of practice, promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing and provides a focus for the development of high-quality teaching and research in open and distance learning.

Reflecting on the appointment, Dr Smith says: “I am delighted to be appointed as a Fellow of the Centre for Distance Education. I hope to promote the work of The Open University, FASS and POLIS in particular, highlighting the expertise we have in online, blended and distance education, in useful collaboration with other universities and colleagues who work in this area.”

Find out more about our research.

Find out more with OpenLearn.

Find out more about studying with us.

Request your prospectus

Request a prospectus icon

Explore our qualifications and courses by requesting one of our prospectuses today.

Request prospectus

Are you already an OU student?

Go to StudentHome