Jump to content

Open University: Difference between revisions

From LGBT History Project
Ross Burgess (talk | contribs)
m Fix bare <references> tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing <references/>
 
(One intermediate revision by one other user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
==LGBT history==
==LGBT history==
The [[London Gay Reading Group]] has co-operated with the OU on a research project.<ref>[http://www.lgrg.co.uk/files/OU-Preliminary-Report.doc Preliminary report] (Word file)</ref>
The [[London Gay Reading Group]] has co-operated with the OU on a research project.<ref>[http://www.lgrg.co.uk/files/OU-Preliminary-Report.doc Preliminary report] (Word file)</ref>
 
In 2024 the Open University were found to have discriminated against a criminologist at the University, Professor [[Jo Phoenix]], who had expressed what are commonly called [[gender critical]] views. An employment tribunal found that Prof Louise Westmarland, head of discipline in social policy and criminology at the OU, made a “racist uncle” comment, which amounted to harassment, because she was unhappy about Phoenix signing a letter in the Sunday Times registering disquiet over a perceived inappropriately close relationship between the LGBTQ+ charity [[Stonewall]] and UK universities, and about her expressing her gender critical beliefs at a Woman’s Place UK talk <ref> Open University academic wins tribunal case over gender-critical views. The Guardian 22 January 2024.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/22/open-university-academic-wins-tribunal-case-over-gender-critical-views (accessed 23 January 2024) </ref>.
==LGBT societies==
==LGBT societies==


Line 22: Line 22:
*[https://www.ouplexus.co.uk/ Plexus website]
*[https://www.ouplexus.co.uk/ Plexus website]
==References==
==References==
<references>
<references/>
[[Category:Universities]]
[[Category:Universities]]

Latest revision as of 13:09, 10 July 2026

OU logo

The Open University (OU) is the largest academic institution in the United Kingdom, with over 250,000 students, most of whom study off-site via distance learning. It was founded in 1969. Its main headquarters is in Milton Keynes.

LGBT history

The London Gay Reading Group has co-operated with the OU on a research project.[1] In 2024 the Open University were found to have discriminated against a criminologist at the University, Professor Jo Phoenix, who had expressed what are commonly called gender critical views. An employment tribunal found that Prof Louise Westmarland, head of discipline in social policy and criminology at the OU, made a “racist uncle” comment, which amounted to harassment, because she was unhappy about Phoenix signing a letter in the Sunday Times registering disquiet over a perceived inappropriately close relationship between the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and UK universities, and about her expressing her gender critical beliefs at a Woman’s Place UK talk [2].

LGBT societies

OU PLEXUS logo

PLEXUS (standing for "Pride, Learning, Equality, No eXcuses, Unity, Safety) is a Group for self-defining LGBT+ students, alumni and staff of the Open University.

Notable alumni

References

  1. Preliminary report (Word file)
  2. Open University academic wins tribunal case over gender-critical views. The Guardian 22 January 2024.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/22/open-university-academic-wins-tribunal-case-over-gender-critical-views (accessed 23 January 2024)