Reading in the news - Wed 3 Jan
03 January 2024

New Year Honours: Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE, acknowledged the work of Reading colleagues, students and community partners as his appointment to CBE is announced. Reported in the, , , , , , , , , Greatest Hits Radio, Heart Berkshire and others. Read our news story.
Heritage and culture:
- Summer Courts (Classics) was interviewed for BBC World Service and Radio 4 Today from a dig at a medieval graveyard in Wales. Also features in and and used by multiple US radio stations.
- Professor Helen Parish (History) joins BBC Berkshire to discuss New Year traditions.
- and quote Chris Griffiths (Archaeology) on the discovery of a ring and brooch found in Wales. Republished by
- A game board found carved into the Great Wall of China is similar to one found by Reading archaeologists at an Anglo-Saxon hall in Kent, reports. Republished by and .
Business and society:
- mentions that Professor John Dunning (Henley Business School) introduced a system for analysing foreign direct investment.
- , and use comment by Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) on self-care during the holiday season.
- Dr Anna Jackman (Geography and Environmental Science) co-authored a report about drone incidents and misuses, reports.
- Dr Kenton White (Politics and International Relations) writes about the pressure on Ukraine’s western allies, for . Republished by and .
- Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) was interviewed on BBC Berkshire about issues facing the United Nations as the UN Security Council delays a vote on Israel-Gaza.
- mentions that human rights barrister, Adam Wagner, has worked alongside Dr Ruvi Ziegler (Law).
- BBC Berkshire spoke to Professor Steve Musson (Geography) regarding local authorities around the UK running into financial trouble.
Food and farming:
- BBC Berkshire spoke to Professor Carol Wagstaff (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on how to keep your Christmas dinner sustainable.
- Professor Gunter Kuhnle interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire about the health benefits of smoothies.
- Dr Charlotte Mills (Food and Nutritional Sciences) is featured on Food Unwrapped on , discussing the cardiovascular benefits of watermelons.
- A study by the University found that regularly eating dates improves digestive function reports.
- Professor Ian Givens (Agriculture) highlights the importance of public perceptions of dairy and the health benefits of cheese for
- Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Science) comments on a study about sugar content in low-alcohol beer, reports. Republished by
- mentions University research that found a 35% decrease in animal fodder yields from grassland over the past century.
- quotes Dr Lizzie Rowe (Agri-Food Economics and Marketing) on egg-laying hen life expectancy. Republished by and .
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) spoke to , , and about his research on the impact climate change has on turbulence. US stations including , , , also cover the story, quoting Isabel Smith (Meteorology).
- Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) wrote for the on 2023’s record temperatures, as part of a feature on the 10 biggest science stories of 2023.
- Professor Martin Lukac (Agriculture) is quoted in , regarding forests around the globe increasing the amount of carbon they absorb.
- Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) is quoted by (Republished by , , and ) on Sudden Stratospheric Warming events, which often signal cold winter periods in Europe.
Health and wellbeing
- Professor Ciara McCabe (Psychology) wrote an article for on why psychological therapy is now being recommended for menopausal women.
- quotes Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) on phage being regarded as a possible avenue for development of new antimicrobials.
- LBC News and Heart Berkshire spoke to Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences), who contributes to the discussion surrounding COVID-19 and lockdown conditions contributing to type 1 diabetes.
- mentions research from the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé, finding that chewing gum disrupts the motor processes used to hear music in your head.
#UniForReading: our role as a civic university
- BBC Berkshire reports on the University’s community activity over Christmas, including hosting the Santa Run and taking part in the Giving Tree project.
- mentions that Reading is the only university in Berkshire, as Slough leaders announce ambitions to bring higher education back to the town.
Other Coverage:
- Royal Borough Observer (in print), and quote Professor Alan Howard (Geography and Environmental Science) on approaches to using AI in teaching and learning.
- and mention that Professor Paul Glaister CBE (Mathematics) was honoured as part of The King’s first New Year Honours list, a year ago.
- and BBC Berkshire report on concerns about traffic and parking problems that have been raised over the plans for a new weather centre at the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé.
- Broadcast (in print) mentions that Shinfield Studios and the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé are working with Screen Berkshire to develop educational initiatives.
- Cinematic Landscapes returns to The Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé’s Great Hall, and report.
- The Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé partnered with Maniyan Medical Centre, who arranged a cycle rally from its hospital to the district forest office, creating awareness amongst public on snakes, reports.
Alumni:
- Landscape photographer, Joe Cornish, studied at Reading, , and report.
- The Times (in print) reports that Sam Steel studied law at the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé.
- Tendai Mtawarira, who studied at Henley Business School, is featured on CNBC Europe.
- Alberto Bounous, vice president for development at King Abdullah Finical District, studied at the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé, reports.
- and mention that Chukwuemeka Okpara, Relationship Manager for the United Bank for Africa, earned a Master’s in Real Estate Management at the University.
- Co-founder and former chief executive of Acme Studios, Jonathan Harvey, studied art at Reading, The Guardian (in print) reports.
- , , , , , , , and many other news outlets report that Board of Directors for Biodexa, Ann Merchant, holds an MBA from Henley Business School.
- Cereal grower, Iain McMordie, earned a degree in Agricultural Science from the University, and News Letter (in print) report.
- mentions that MP, Penny Mordaunt, was a former president at the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Students’ Union.