Welcome to our OU Business School research related news and blogs page, providing a platform to showcase the wide variety of stories and news from our OUBS research community.
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Please note that views expressed in these blog posts and news items are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the OU Business School.
Richard Blundel, Professor of Enterprise and Organisation and Director of the Centre for Social and Sustainable Enterprise, writes about how smaller businesses can become net-zero influencers and enablers.
A ground-breaking research paper from The Open University, the University of Plymouth, the University of Essex, and University College London has unveiled significant inequalities in the paid leave parents receive when facing an early end to pregnancies.
A team of researchers from the OU’s Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) has secured another year’s funding (£600k) to continue their work, alongside Police to improve the way rape and sexual offences are investigated.
The Open University has commissioned a new survey of 18–19-year-olds in England which shows that nearly 1 in 2 (49%) have reconsidered going to university in the last year because of the rising cost of living.
A blog post by Professor Effie Kesidou, Dr Despoina Filiou and Professor Lichao Wu on how smart cities can become greener.
Researchers from the OU's Faculty of Business and Law are collaborating with universities, research centres and small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe on a new project to decarbonise the continent.
According to new research, your planning capabilities and attitude towards money are two big drivers when it comes to accumulating wealth.
Findings from Operation Soteria Bluestone, a report launched in 2021 as a response to the government End-to-End Rape Review, have revealed several areas that urgently need addressing in the investigations of rape and other sexual offences (RAOSO).
A blog post by Mark by Mark Fenton-O’Creevy on why some people wealthier and better off than others.
Research conducted by Emma Bell, Professor of Organisation and Leadership at the Open University Business School, found that the rising costs of flour and energy pose some serious challenges to bakery owners.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - 09:00 to 17:00
Michael Young Building, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BB
This one-day symposium on ‘Doing Academia Differently’ will provide inspiration and support for PhD and early-career academics to approach the complex tensions and dilemmas of contemporary academia in new and creative ways.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 - 11:00 to 12:30
Online Webinar - link below
This webinar from our GOP research cluster will discuss findings from research into how motherhood impacts employment for ethnic minority women.