About

The Open Living Labs project is an ambitious initiative designed to address two of the most pressing challenges of our time: the climate emergency and the rapid loss of biodiversity. By fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural world, this project empowers individuals to understand and actively engage with nature recovery efforts—because we can’t protect what we don’t understand.

Leveraging The Open University’s pioneering OpenSTEM Lab technology and its unparalleled capacity to educate at scale, Open Living Labs offers both physical and digital platforms for transformative learning experiences.

The Living Science Laboratory, situated on the OU’s campus in Milton Keynes, will serve as a hub for dynamic, hands-on exploration and will be complemented by a Learning Walk and Visitor Centre. We aim to provide an immersive environment where students, researchers, and the public can directly engage with ecological challenges and solutions.

In parallel, the Digital Laboratory extends the reach of the project to global audiences, offering free, accessible resources online. This virtual platform ensures that learners at all levels can explore cutting-edge research, tools, and insights from the comfort of their own homes.

Bringing together a multidisciplinary team from the School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the OU’s OpenLearn platform, Open Living Labs unites scientific expertise, innovative teaching, and public engagement.

Join us in exploring, understanding, and protecting our planet – one step toward sustainability at a time.