Open University History Society

The OUHS is a nationally based society with members from all over the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. It was formed by Open University students to promote the scholarly study of history amongst students past and present and is affiliated to the Open University Students Association.

Members are encouraged to carry out their own historical research. One of the strengths of the Society is the opportunity it gives to members to pass on the results of their researches, both through a quarterly magazine Open History and at the Annual Residential weekend. The Society has a transcript library filled with members' essays and research projects available for study and there are occasional organised visits to archives or museums. In some areas Regional Coordinators keep in touch with members through newsletters giving information on locally published books and news of local history society activities.

At the small, friendly residential weekend held at Wedgwood College near Stoke on Trent the members read papers and make presentations on their own researches on the theme for the year. The topics range from Pictish Symbols to the influence of religion on US politics in the 1980s and 1990s. All the presentations engender discussions (some less serious than others!) and these often spill over to the lunch and dinner table. Some members even feel impelled to continue discussion over a pint at the local pub.