Welcome to the ID@OU newsletter.
As you can probably tell from the stories we include in our newsletters, the work we undertake is diverse and committed to using our broad range of expertise to address global challenges.
As well as our
multidisciplinary team here at The Open University, we also work with partners around the world, including the Innogen Institute - an OU–University of Edinburgh centre for research on the social, political and economic implications of emerging technologies. Professor Theo Papaioannou, Development Policy and Practice (DPP) at the OU has just been appointed Director of the Innogen Institute. You can read more about this, and his plans for the Institute, in the newsletter below.
We hope you find our newsletters interesting and useful, and welcome to all of our new subscribers.
ID@OU
News & Research round-up
OU's Professor Theo Papaioannou appointed Director of Innogen Institute
Professor Theo Papaioannou is the new Director of the Innogen Institute, The Open University–University of Edinburgh centre for research on the social, political and economic implications of emerging technologies. To publicise its latest research, Innogen is planning a major event on industrial strategy and innovation, which will coincide with the OU’s 50th anniversary celebrations next spring, and is aimed squarely at engaging policymakers and politicians.
Read more…
New grant to research how migration aids growth in Africa
The Open University has been awarded £706,706 by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to explore how migration is contributing to growth in Africa. The project, Inclusive Societies: Migration for Inclusive African Growth is led by Professor Giles Mohan, Chair in International Development.
Read more…
The Open University and Oxfam launch free course: Make Change Happen
Understand how power dynamics, collaboration, opportunity and action can tackle injustice and bring positive change in a new free eight-week course from The Open University and Oxfam, available on FutureLearn.
Read more…
Free OU course for teacher educators in Africa wins international award for digital innovation
A free online course designed by Open University education academics and presented on FutureLearn, has won a ‘Digital Innovation of the Year’ award at the prestigious PIEoneer Awards 2018. ‘Making Teacher Education Relevant for 21st Century Africa’ was selected as the winner by the judges in the Digital Innovation (Learning) category.
Read more…
OU’s Dr Rajiv Prabhakar interviewed about inflation on BBC Radio 4
Dr Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance was interviewed about inflation on BBC Radio 4 for the show 'Economics with Subtitles', broadcast in August and
available on iPlayer. The show was followed up by an
online programme produced by BBC Capital.
Technological upgrading in the Indian pharmaceutical industry
Dr Dinar Kale, Senior Lecturer in International Development and Innovation in the Development Policy and Practice group, has published a study of technological upgrading in the Indian pharmaceutical industry in the journal Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
Read more…
Explore the journey of an asylum seeker through new immersive experience
Dr Agnes Czajka, OU Senior Lecturer in POLIS, has co-created 'Uneven Journeys' – a fascinating and immersive, online experience which enables people to explore the journey an asylum seeker, an economic migrant and an investor might take to the UK. This article is part of the OU’s Year of Mygration.
Read more…
The importance of inclusive innovation for development policy and practice
In September, Professor Theo Papaioannou, Director of the Innogen Institute, discussed ‘Inclusive Innovation Policy and Practice’ with a senior group of innovation policymakers from India after accepting invitation from NESTA – The Innovation Foundation UK. The policymakers, representing the Indian State Government of Maharashtra, are working on the design and implementation of innovation policy. Professor Papaioannou discussed the importance of inclusive innovation for development policy and practice, drawing on his new book
Inclusive Innovation for Development: Meeting the Demands of Justice through Public Action, Routledge 2018
Should the public play a greater role in the financial system?
Dr Rajiv Prabhakar, Senior Lecturer in Personal Finance discusses the disconnect between policymakers and academics on financial inclusion in a blog for the Journal of Social Policy.
Read more…
New free course explores: What are the borders of Europe?
This is an excerpt from a free course available on the OU's FutureLearn platform, beginning this month. Led by Senka Neuman, a Lecturer and researcher in European Studies at the University of Groningen, the course is designed for learners with a personal and/or professional interest in Europe, politics and culture. This article is part of the OU’s Year of Mygration.
Read more…
Opportunities
Call for Panels: DSA2019 - Opening up Development
DSA2019 (taking place at The Open University 19-21 June) invites proposals for panels and workshops that engage critically with dimensions of Opening up Development. A key aim is for all panels to attempt to combine academic and practitioners work within most panels. Deadline 14 November 2018. Read more about
the event and
the call.
Job opportunity: full-time lecturer in International Development at the OU
The Open University is recruiting a full-time, fixed-term lecturer in International Development who will be based in the Development, Policy and Practice (DPP) Department in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Economics, Development and Geography (PPEDG). The lecturer will be responsible for supporting and building curriculum at postgraduate level in International Development. While this role will have a strong teaching focus, there will also be time allocated for the applicant to develop their own research. Deadline 23 October 2018.
Read more...
Events
Open University International Development Seminar Series: The Art of Facilitation - Transforming Lives Through Self Help
Wednesday 10 October 2018, 12:00-14:00 (Lunch: 12:00pm – 12:30pm), Library Seminar Room 7, The Open University, Walton Hall Campus, MK7 6AA
The self-help movement, that has officially touched the lives of more than eighty million families in rural India, is based on a process of facilitation which centres around raising of individual and collective consciousness of people. Varun Vidyarthi, a specialist in participatory methods, will discuss this topic in more depth at this seminar.
Read more...
Date for your diary: DSA2019: Opening up Development
19-21 June, The Open University, Milton Keynes
The DSA's annual conference in 2019 will take place at The Open University's Milton Keynes campus, in the same year the University celebrates its 50th anniversary. The conference will focus centrally on "Opening up Development", while also encompassing the broad range of development studies interests.
Read more…
