Open universities are generally not renowned as research universities. They often have very poor research profiles in comparison with the established universitiespossessing strong research concentrations. It is arguable that nowadays a key defining characteristic of the 'universrty'is its knowledge-production through research and scholarship. This article argues that open universities that do not have a significant research profile are likely to be considered as inferior to 'real' universities and treatedaccordingly by government, funding agencies andpotential students alike. However, the case is made that some open universities have developed significant institutional research capacities and that, from such, they have been able to provide leadership in the development of their systems and practices of open and distance education practices, but also contributed more broadly to scholarship in these fields.

The case is made for considering the strategic importance and multiple benefits of institutional research. It is argued that a central research capacity within an open university can achieve much. However, if this is connected to a network of reflective practitioner researchers within the university, the potential is high for building a firm and coherent research performance, together with enhancing educationalpractice.