2021: a year of reform and renewal?
As 2020 was the year of the pandemic, so 2021 will hopefully be the year we engage with its aftermath. This New Year issue has items on fair vaccine diffusion, the impact of coronavirus on young Black Britons and on refugees and asylum seekers, and the emergence of pandemic-inspired solidarity networks to tackle food insecurity. We also report how our researchers have authored a major new report critiqueing the dependence of global health systems on migrant workers. International Development and Inclusive Innovation at the Open University opens the year with a lively and varied seminar programme, there's more information below. Previous seminars are now available to view here.
ID@OU
News and research roundup
Research supports unions' push for global health care reform in the wake of COVID
A policy brief by our social policy researchers Professor Nicola Yeates and Dr Jane Pillinger is at the forefront of an international campaign to improve conditions for migrant health workers.
Young voices speak out for Sustainable Development Goals in ambitious new OU/BBC series
Seventeen 17-year-olds from around the world tell us why meeting these targets matters for their communities, in the new World Service series Project 17, starting today. Series academic consultants include Chair of International Development Professor Giles Mohan, and Associate Head of School - Innovation Dr Eric Addae-Kyeremeh.
Academic sounds alarm over ‘vaccine nationalism’
Professor Joyce Tait, founding director of ID@OU’s partner institute Innogen, tells the Independent that partisan political jockeying is in danger of damaging public trust in the COVID jab.
Digital exhibition captures pandemic experiences of refugeees and asylum seekers
This online exhibition, supported by The Open University COVID-19 Rapid Response funding scheme, is based on research by Professor of Sociology Marie Gillespie.
Post-Brexit rights for UK residents of EU countries?
Senior Lecturer in Law Dr Anne Wesemann outlines the implications of a case coming before the EU Court of Justice, in an article in The Conversation.
How can Brazil sustain its food solidarity economy post-Covid?
Dr Les Levidow was one of the panel of experts presenting at this event organised by the Institute of Development Studies.
New research studies impact of coronavirus on young Black Britons
Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies Dr Michael Boampong is conducting a pilot study on how the pandemic is affecting Black young migrants and young people of Black British African-Caribbean backgrounds, and why Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups are most at risk from COVID-19.
Can digital badges support teacher professional development in India?
Open University researchers are working with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and key stakeholders to assess the potential for digital badges to support teachers in improving classroom practice.
Promoting play-based education in Africa
Professor of Education and Development Kwame Akyeampong is leading research recently awarded $500,000 CAD (£288,000) to support a large-scale learning through play project being rolled out to over 2 million children in Ghana.
Panel discussion on Vaccine Covid-19: Scientific Discourse and Fair Diffusion (link available in Greek only)
Professor Theo Papaioannou, Director of our partner institution Innogen, joined the former Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of Greece and a medical doctor in this well-attended online discussion organised by the Nicos Poulantzas Institute on 7 January.
Opportunities
PhD Studentships in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
The Open University's Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS) is offering full-time funded PhD studentships in the following areas: Educational Technology; Health, Wellbeing and Social Care; Languages and Literacies; Transformative Education. Closing date for applications: 31 January 2021.
Events
IDII seminar series: Econexit. Do we like economics so much that soon we will have two?
Wednesday 20 January 2021,12:30 to 14:00 GMT, MS teams, register to receive link
Presenter: Carlo D'Ippoliti, Associate Professor of Economics, Sapienza University of Rome
IDII seminar series: Between globalisation and nationalism: India and the search for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines
Wednesday 27 January 2021, 12:30 to 14:00 GMT, MS teams, register to receive link
Presenter: Dr Rory Horner, Senior Lecturer, Global Development Institute, University of Manchester
For a complete list of upcoming International Development and Inclusive Innovation seminars, see here. To watch seminars which have already taken place, see here
