3.1 Greenland's snowfall
What affects the atmospheric and ocean flows? This unit explores the mechanisms that are important; the most rapid carrier is the wind. The basic principle of global atmospheric circulation is simple: warm air rises and cold air sinks. How does this principle affect the atmosphere and flow of water in practical terms?
The competitive advantage and catching-up of nations
At a time when the global economic slowdown is encouraging countries and companies to introduce neo-protectionist policies - including possible moves by the new US President-elect to penalise American firms who relocate jobs outside the US - we should not ignore the efforts of smaller developing countries to catch-up, says Judge Business School's Dr Christos Pitelis.
"Facing the Facts" Winter 2008 Quarterly Podcast
Can we turn adversity into opportunity? Yes, we can. As 2008, a year that shook the world and began the restructuring of the global economies, draws to a close, we take a look at the year ahead. Which economies are likely to find it easiest to ride out the current recession and what management tools and skills should opinion formers and business leaders draw on to ensure they provide the right climate for firms to do well? Strangely, not all the news is bad news, as we have been finding out in o
Acknowledgements
Climate change is a key issue on today’s social and political agenda. This unit explores the basic science that underpins climate change and global warming.
A new world order
Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, believes we are seeing not a global recession but a global catastrophe and a radical restructuring of the world. The leaders who emerge from this will be those who are able to emotionally inspire others, and re-introduce trust in a world of uncertainty and fear; they will be able to capture the power of language, they will be, like Barack Obama, the storytellers. Kevin Roberts explains why he believes the revolution will begin with language.
1.3 Energy flows within the Earth-atmosphere system
Climate change is a key issue on today’s social and political agenda. This unit explores the basic science that underpins climate change and global warming.
From national to global
Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, and Kevin Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, are definitely "opposites" who attract. Together they have built up a successful global brand which dominates the world of advertising. It was, says Maurice, a "simple" vision to value our "people" and to trust in them. Now the Publicis Groupe is one of the world's top four leading advertising and communications organisations. Maurice Levy speaks about his agency, his views on building a
Acknowledgements
This unit explores conceptual tools for assisting our thinking and deliberation on what matters. The notion of ‘framing’ nature is introduced and three readings provide an understanding of systems thinking for explicitly framing issues of environmental responsibility.
2.1 Dealing with change in what matters: ethics, policy and action
This unit explores conceptual tools for assisting our thinking and deliberation on what matters. The notion of ‘framing’ nature is introduced and three readings provide an understanding of systems thinking for explicitly framing issues of environmental responsibility.
Decarbonising the electricity sector
According to Dr David Reiner, new financial instruments to even out the impact of global warming between the third world and the developing world could help world leaders progress their attempts to reach agreement on climate change at the UN Road to Copenhagen talks. But he believes success is dependent upon getting both China and India to sign up.
1.4 Nature matters in terms of a critical systems literacy
This unit explores conceptual tools for assisting our thinking and deliberation on what matters. The notion of ‘framing’ nature is introduced and three readings provide an understanding of systems thinking for explicitly framing issues of environmental responsibility.
Shifting paradigms
The film industry is moving from a Hollywood dominated culture to a peer-to-peer environment as more emerging countries structure global partnerships. Parminder Vir OBE, Executive Producer and Media Consultant, believes this shift requires a re-think, especially by the West, of market entry strategies which take into account different cultures and different rhythms.
1.3 Framing nature matters as systems
This unit explores conceptual tools for assisting our thinking and deliberation on what matters. The notion of ‘framing’ nature is introduced and three readings provide an understanding of systems thinking for explicitly framing issues of environmental responsibility.
1.1 Framing nature using language tools
This unit explores conceptual tools for assisting our thinking and deliberation on what matters. The notion of ‘framing’ nature is introduced and three readings provide an understanding of systems thinking for explicitly framing issues of environmental responsibility.
References
Mentoring, observation and interviews are three important strategies in developing student teachers. This unit, which gives a flavour of the Open University's flexible PGCE course, introduces student–teacher centred strategies both inside and outside of the classroom involving mentors, pupils, tutors and others to develop student teachers' professional skills and understanding.
The New Biology of Ageing - Video
Research into ageing has been rejuvenated by the discovery that genetic alterations extend the lifespan of laboratory animals. These mutations keep animals healthy for longer and protect them from many of the diseases of ageing. Professor Partridge will look at how this and other discoveries have led to a new wave of research directed at understanding how these changes can increase healthy lifespan in humans.
The Future of Brazil
The old joke about Brazil is that it is the country of the future, and always will be. There are signs, however, that the Brazilian economy is finally achieving the stability necessary for it to fulfil its potential. What is particularly intriguing is that this has happened under the leadership of Lula, the former print-worker, union leader and founder of the innovative Workers’ Party, who is now in his second term as elected president of Brazil. To what extent is it possible for a radical
Why Species are Fuzzy
The ‘species concept’ – the definition of what constitutes a distinct species – has been a headache for biologists for at least 70 years. Recent genetic studies in natural populations have led to a revolution in the understanding of biodiversity and speciation. Species are demonstrably continuous with subspecies and varieties in nature, and intermediates in the speciation process are all around us. I will illustrate my talk with examples such as butterflies, birds and even whales.
Lectu
Why Species are Fuzzy
The ‘species concept’ – the definition of what constitutes a distinct species – has been a headache for biologists for at least 70 years. Recent genetic studies in natural populations have led to a revolution in the understanding of biodiversity and speciation. Species are demonstrably continuous with subspecies and varieties in nature, and intermediates in the speciation process are all around us. I will illustrate my talk with examples such as butterflies, birds and even whales.
Lectu
1.4 The artist's ‘Life’ as a historical source
Accounts of Caravaggio's life are filled with suggestions of murder and intrigue. But does knowing more about this dark artist's experiences help us to interpret his art? Or does understanding his motivations cloud their true meaning? This unit explores the biographical monograph, one of the most common forms of art history writing.
