What it means to be a stepmother

Stepmothers face many challenges, not least of which is their terrible reputation. Although stepfamilies are common – about 10% of UK families according to 2011 UK census – it is difficult to say exactly what a stepfamily is.  Do they include those families where the father’s children are not resident full-time as they live primarily…

When the walls come tumbling down? OU psychologists are exploring how to dismantle interface barriers between Protestant and Catholic communities in Belfast

In a recent article, Professor John Dixon of the School of Psychology and Counselling at the Open University, and collaborators, have addressed the issue of the removal of interface barriers in Northern Ireland. They have sought to evidence some of the social and psychological factors that may predict resistance to interface barrier removal and thus…

Sexual citizenship: a critical social psychological issue

A new article extends the social psychological study of citizenship to consider the issue of sexual citizenship, and its boundaries. The article presents research from Cyprus that adopted a critical approach to analyse discourses of citizenship in Greek Cypriot newspapers. The article is co-authored by Dr Eleni Andreouli, the Director of Research in the School.…

The emotional organisation?

What feelings and emotions do you bring to the organisation you work for? A new article discusses this question and explores changes in the way that workers relate to their employers. Do you feel passionately engaged with your work? Do you hope to make your work-life a fun matter of play? Or is it more…

The importance of art and film for psychology

A new publication from the School of Psychology and Counselling challenges psychologists to take art and film seriously, especially during times of crisis when people go through 'liminal experiences'. The article is the result of a collaboration between Professor Paul Stennerfrom the Open University and Professor Tania Zittounfrom the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The online first version has just appeared in…