PolicyWISE launch event with Professor David Olusoga

On November 15^th 2023, academics from The Open University joined forces with renowned writer and broadcaster Professor David Olusoga for a landmark event to celebrate the launch of PolicyWISE alongside the recent broadcast of 'Union', a new OU/BBC partnership series. The evening was introduced by Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation.

Professor Olusoga shared his experiences working on the project, noting the United Kingdom's complex history and often conflicting nature.

Professor Olusoga commented:

"Making the series was a privilege, but it raised as many questions as it answered about the UK's past and future." 

Joining him on stage were key historians and academic consultants from the series: Professor Gerry Mooney, Dr Helen O'Shea, Dr Dan Taylor, and panel chair Jhumar Johnson. The panel engaged in a lively Q&A session with an audience of civil servants, parliamentarians, research leaders, and public policy figures from across the four nations.

The evening concluded with remarks from Dewi Knight, Director of PolicyWISE, highlighting the initiative's role in fostering collaborative research and knowledge exchange across nations to address policy challenges.