Laura Platts

I have worked as an Open University Lecturer since 2008 and have tutored on several undergraduate law modules.  At present, I tutor on: W112 Civil Justice and tort law; W302 Equity, Trusts and Land; and W330 European Union Law. I also work with the Open Justice Clinic. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I have a particular interest in the use of technology in teaching practice.

My background is as a litigation solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in private practice. My specialism is property litigation. I combined legal practice and tutoring for a time but in 2016 I decided to concentrate on my higher education roles, and I stepped down from private practice. I enjoy all aspects of tutoring and am proud of all the modules which I tutor on. Due to my property background, I do have a ‘soft spot’ for W302 (which covers land law). 

The best aspect of tutoring at the Open University is supporting my students. I really enjoy supporting all of my students and assisting each individual to succeed in their studies. I am lucky to often meet the same students both at level 1 and later at level 3. It is lovely to witness my students’ academic development as they progress through their degrees and graduate. 

I was a winner of an OU Students Association 2022 Tutor Award for the Faculty of Business and Law. It means the world to me that my students anonymously nominated me for this award.