News

Criminologist secures funding to unravel a dark part of Lancashire’s history
11th March 2025
Criminologist Dr David Scott secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the bicentennial of the Chatterton Massacre.
Sociology & Criminology academic consults on OU/BBC co-production ‘Drugs Map of Britain’
30th November 2023
Dr Stuart Taylor consults on OU/BBC co-production Drugs Map of Britain, cutting through the headlines, and exploring the real world of drug users and dealers in the UK today.
OU/BBC’s The Met returns for series 4, advised by Head of Social Policy and Criminology Professor Louise Westmarland
24th October 2023
OU/BBC co-production ‘The Met’ returns for series four, advised by Head of Social Policy and Criminology Professor Louise Westmarland
Does Veganism as a ‘lifestyle’ detract from the original intention?
17th January 2023
With increasing focus on the environmental benefits of a vegan diet, is the movement at risk of losing sight of its core values? This Veganuary, we asked Dr Matthew Cole, to cast new light on an often controversial subject.
‘Making friends? It was easy’ says Izzy
12th January 2023
When Izzy James opted against a bricks-and-mortar education for flexible study with The Open University, she worried she would struggle to make friends. Since then, Izzy has built lasting friendships, some even closer to home than she expected.
Society’s biggest challenges explored by third annual SSGS magazine
26th September 2022
The new SSGS magazine showcases the most up-to-date teaching and research from the school, delving into everything from the cost-of-living crisis to space ethics, via the science of long-term love and decolonising religious studies.
Take the Digital Technologies, Power and Control survey
20th December 2021
A survey about the digital divide, COVID-19 pandemic and issues of power and control in digital technology use.
FASS Academic leads first study focusing on COVID mortality impact on migrant health care workers
17th December 2021
On International Migrants Day 2021 we spotlight some research that shows that migrant health workers are most at risk from COVID, highlighting some of the imbalances in global health care systems.
Deaf prisoners were in a state of lockdown before COVID-19
29th April 2021
Daniel McCulloch, a Lecturer in Criminology and Social Policy at The Open University and Laura Kelly-Corless from the University of Central Lancashire highlight the devastating impact of the pandemic on prisoners who are d/Deaf
What’s love got to do with it?
11th February 2021
Hot on the heels of the traditional January ‘divorce spike’ comes Valentine’s Day. Do our relationships need more work in 2021 and how can we celebrate this year?