A special FASS Connect for Welcome Week for all new and returning Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students. Dr Rachel Penny, Head of School, Psychology & Counselling, will join Jack Flaherty, Student Rep to FASS. 

Dr Rachel Penny is the Head of School for Psychology and Counselling at The Open University. During her 20+ years at the OU she has held a wide range of roles including Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Students) of The Open University, Associate Dean: Student Success and Scholarship (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), Director of Teaching (Psychology and Counselling), Staff Tutor and Associate Lecturer.

This is a chance to talk about the school and its future. As Head of School, Rachel's responsibilities include strategic leadership for the development and enhancement of the School’s work across curriculum, research, teaching and learning, knowledge exchange and impact.

Links to join all Welcome Week events will be available in the Welcome Week chat on OU Students Connect - the chat platform for OU students - from Friday, 23 January 2026. You don't need to create an account to access this platform, you'll be redirected to log in with your OU credentials. The link to join will also be posted here on the day of the session.

Our online events are intended to be welcoming and friendly spaces. Please read our Code of Conduct before joining this session and keep this in mind when taking part.

Subscribe to the Welcome Week mailing list here.