Bernard Coen

Hi, I’m Bernard Coen.  I’m 52, originally from Manchester, married with three children and I work in Research and Academic Strategy (RAS). 

I support planning and reporting and our team helps manage the budgets and financial monitoring, including funds for strategic research activity.  Within the Unit our team leads on internal and external communications (see https://www.open.ac.uk/research/).  I chair a group coordinating work in this area along with engaging our stakeholders and looking at the quality of the service we provide.  I work closely with the people who have general oversight of administrative functions of the Unit, as well as facilitating all personnel related activity including staff development. 

I’ve worked at the OU since 1991 and have had lots of interesting experiences across the OU (including residential schools, OUSA events and degree ceremonies) and with many external contacts (Education Depts, the BBC, LearnDirect, other universities). I am currently studying A363 (Advanced Creative Writing), my seventh OU module – I am terrified that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, but that’s how I feel at the start of every course.

My favourite thing about the OU is that it is such a big organisation that there is always someone interesting to meet.  I also enjoy meeting all the advocates out there who have good stories to tell. 

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