School academics in radio election special

A BBC Radio Wales / BBC Sounds programme 'Vote for Me – The Science of Personality Politics' will be broadcast at 18.30 on Tuesday 3rd November and again at 5.30 on Wednesday 4th November. Dr Kesi Mahendran, a political psychologist who works on the dialogue between citizens and their governments  discusses the rise in populist…

They’re killing my participants!

Sue Nieland writes about an under-valued group of UK citizens, and the consequences of that undervaluing. I started my PhD last October with hope, excitement and some disbelief that, after so many years of collecting Masters degrees, I had the opportunity to join the elite group of postgraduate researchers within the OU. I knew it…

A winter postcard from DD803 Evaluating Psychology: Research and Practice

We continue our series of winter postcards from the School's modules, written by the academics who work mostly closely with students and tutors, the Staff Tutors. They write about what's happening on each module at this point in the year. Today Sue Nieland writes from DD803, a second-level postgraduate module. What's happening at the moment…

The value of the Silent Generation

Sue Nieland writes about a category of voters who are usually disregarded in political polls, known as the Silent Generation. She reflects on the political failure to acknowledge their experience and viewpoint, and explains their special importance for her PhD research. I voted to remain in the EU in 2016, and I am classed as…