The School of Social Sciences and Global Studies at The Open University is a hub for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and research-led teaching that aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by societies across the globe.
We offer an intellectually stimulating environment for academic staff and students, including a lively postgraduate research community.

We are host to a number of research groupings open to all staff, post-doctoral researchers and postgraduate students across the Faculty and University.

The school is a hub for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and research-led teaching that aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by societies across the globe.

Our research has significant impact in society, economy and culture on local, national and international levels.

Join our lively postgraduate research community. Postgraduate research degrees are offered on a full- and part-time basis in all School disciplines.
Politics Professor Simon Usherwood consults for OU/BBC series Rethink, which returns for series five, exploring new ideas in politics, society,…
Recent OU PhD graduate Xenia Rochelle Jones shares her inspiring sociology journey, overcoming personal and academic challenges to succeed—…
On Tuesday 1 July, Dr Georgina Holmes and NGO SecurityWomen ran an internal workshop for the UK Ministry of Defence on the recruitment…
Thursday, March 5, 2026 - 13:00 to 14:00
In person & online
Friday, March 20, 2026 - 12:00 to 13:30
Online
Friday, April 10, 2026 - 12:00 to 13:00
Online
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Explore our qualifications and courses by requesting one of our prospectuses today.