Leading the OU’s teaching in Engineering, Design, Technology & Innovation Management, Systems Thinking and Environmental Management and has highly rated Design and Materials Engineering research.
We aim to make an impact on individuals, organisations and communities that have to design, develop, build and manage complex systems involving technologies of all kinds. Our disciplines combine both analysis and synthesis, ranging from engineering, through design and systems thinking to environmental and technology management.
We take a broad view of engineering and innovation in all our activities. Our teaching covers many forms of formal, non-formal and informal courses and educational resources. Our wide ranging research and scholarship covers several Research Excellence Framework (REF) units of assessment. Our expertise is used in various commercial, not-for-profit and grant funded activities both nationally and internationally.
We are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to enhance our reach into, and impact on, currently underserved groups and organisations in line with The Open University’s mission.
On 3rd March 2025, Kevin Collins gave a presentation on Drought and Communication Strategies to over 100 Environment Agency staff as part of the Agency’s Behavioural Science Webinars. This is an ongoing series of staff developm
For the first time in over 50 years, the World Design Congress returns to London, taking place at the Barbican Centre on 9–11 September 2025.
An academic in the Design Groupwithin the School of Engineering and Innovation was part of a team that won a Gold H.E. Teaching Award in China. Senior Lecturer in Design, Dr.
Researchers in the School of Engineering and Innovation are developing novel biosensor technologies for real-time analysis of diagnostic biomarkers including glucose, proteins, and electrolytes.