News
Applications are invited for a PhD Fellowship
Entitled 'Fate and transport of nitrogen under spring barley cultivation on contrasting soils', this is a joint research project between Teagasc, Johnstown Castle and University of Reading UK. Closing date: 30 June 2012. Download the flyer (PDF 191KB)
[16/05/2012]
Giuseppe Feola awarded a fellowship
Giuseppe Feola has been selected as a CHANS Fellow under the program International Network of Research on Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS-Net, http:www.chans-net.org) supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation to assist outstanding junior scholars in attending the 2012 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), which will be held in San Francisco, December 3 to 7, 2012. Giuseppe has been awarded US 1,000, to be used to help defray his expenses for attending the conference. As part of the CHANS-Net events at the conference, there will be a special gathering for the new CHANS Fellows, together with leaders of CHANS research. An award certificate will be presented to Giuseppe during the conference. Read about CHANS-Net
[02/05/2012]
Placement Fellowship on Resource Recovery from Waste
The Natural Environment Research Council and Defra have released an announcement of opportunity for a new Placement Fellowship on Resource Recovery from Waste. The successful candidate will gain experience in working with two major wasteresources-related programmes and experts from the policy and research fields. The closing date is 21 May 2012. Read More...
[01/05/2012]
Professor Stephen Nortcliff presents the King of Thailand with the IUSS Humanitarian Soil Scientist Medal
After reading a citation to the King and presenting the Medal, they enjoyed 40 minutes of chat about soil science, soils in Thailand and soils globally.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been working continuously to manage better soil for Thai farmers since the 17th World Congress of Soil Science took place in Bangkok in August 2002. Read the report on the National News Bureau of Thailand web site.
[24/04/2012]
Competition funded PhD studentship available
The successful applicant will be supported by a NERC algorithm studentship (deadline: 11 May 2012) whilst working on one of three projects Further information is available on the GES postgraduate research opportunities page.
[03/04/2012]
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme placement awarded to Earth System Science project
The student will work on a project entitled 'Investigating mineral dust deposits in glaciers using advanced microscopy'. Find out more on the UROP web site.
[25/01/2012]
Steve Musson appeared on BBC Radio 4's PM Programme on 31st December 2011
He commented on his recent research on the potential economic benefits for towns that are awarded city status. Catch the programme on iplayer
[03/01/2012]
Incoming Marie Curie Fellowship awarded by FP7
Dr Maria Shahgedanova, Dr Kevin White and DR Margaret Woodage (NERC ESSC) and Dr Stanislav Kutuzov (Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Science) have been awarded funding for a multi-disciplinary project DIOGENES: Dust Impacts on Glaciated Environments.
The project will investigate how dust emitted from desert sources and locally changes glacier melt in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia and affects local geochemistry through addition supply of nutrients. These impacts depend on source regions and pathways of dust in the atmosphere and various methods including remote sensing, climate modelling, sedimentological and chemical analyses will be used to establish provenance of dust. The obtained results will help to validate simulations of dust cycle by HiGEM model. The project will involve ample fieldwork in the Caucasus Mountains including extraction of shallow ice cores at Europe's highest summit, Mt Elbrus (5642 m above sea level).
[03/01/2012]
Steve Musson discusses the Christmas economy on BBC Television
Steve appeared live on BBC Oxford News, BBC South News and BBC Berks Radio on 15th December 2011, discussing the perilous state of retailing this Christmas.
Reading's shopping centre has seen above average visitor numbers in December. Steve said that the bigger picture across the country is bleak and that smaller, independent shops are most vulnerable to the consequences of poor Christmas trading.
[20/12/2011]
Three undergraduate students of Geography and Environmental Science were recognised in the 2011 Chancellor's Awards
Eighty students gathered for the reception which was hosted by Chancellor Sir John Madejski. Each student received a yearbook with all the winners' names as well as congratulations and encouragement from the University's Chancellor, a successful businessman who founded Auto Trader and is currently Chairman of Reading Football Club.
Sir John said: The University of Reading offers students a fantastic experience and a first-class environment in which to learn. Those featured in this yearbook represent our brightest and best students from across the University's broad range of academic disciplines. We are extremely proud to be able to showcase such an inspiring group of individuals. See the Chancellors Year Book
[14/12/2011]
Emily Boyd debates 'Sustainability in Science' at LUCID PhD Mid-term seminars in Sweden.
LUCID is coordinated by the Centre for Sustainability Studies at Lund University (LUCSUS). LUCSUS, is a centre for sustainability research which is bringing together seven disciplines from four faculties to develop the scientific field Sustainability Science.
The Lund University Centre of Excellence for Integration of Social and Natural Dimensions of Sustainability (2008-2018) is sponsored by The Swedish Research Council. Read more about their activities.
[06/12/2011]
Earth System Science research seminar 1 December 13:00 in the Sorby Room
Kevin Tansey, University of Leicester, will present 'Why all the fuss about fire on our planet' See the flyer
[30/11/2011]
Environmental Science students campaign to make Reading greener
The group, called Waste Not Want Not', was set up by four second year and has already been shortlisted for a major award. Read the press release
[17/11/2011]
Dr Emily Boyd speaks at London Debate on Carbon markets for the poor: a contradiction in terms 15 November 2011
Ahead of the climate summit in Durban in November, questions are being asked about whether the commitment to carbon markets as a central response to climate change is the right approach.
Amid evidence of double-counting of emissions reductions and a failure to deliver sustainable development benefits in developing countries, is the Kyoto Protocols Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) worth saving This public event will debate the issues, which go to the heart of a 3 year project on The Governance of Clean Development: CDM and Beyond led by Professor Peter Newell, which explores the politics and governance of clean development in the energy sector through the CDM and through other initiatives of a growing range of public and private actors. Download the flyer (PDF 476KB)
[15/11/2011]
Dr Emily Boyd's latest book, Adapting Institutions, has just been published
Climate change and the loss of ecosystem services are the two main global environmental crises facing us today. This book provides an essential resource for scholars, policy-makers and students, seeking innovative approaches to governance. Available from the publishers.
[08/11/2011]
Dr Jessica Budds contributed to Radio 4's Costing the Earth broadcast on mining in South America on 12 October.
Jessica, who joins us this term as a Lecturer in Environment and Development, adds her view to the programme 'Gold of the Conquistadors' which considers the current boom in gold and silver mining industry in Peru, Chile and Mexico and the damage caused to the environment of the Andes. Read more and hear Gold of the Conquistadors on the BBC web site.
[14/10/2011]
Earth System Science Research Group seminar - 18 October 2011
Prof. David Manning, University of Newcastle, will present a talk entitled 'Mineral Solutions to Global Problems: How can minerals feed the world in 2050'. The seminar will take place at 1 pm Sorby Room (Wager Building). All welcome.
All plant nutrients except N (and C) come from geological sources. We have become used to more than adequate supply of fertilizers, and their impact on water quality. But current mining of K and P is inadequate to feed existing populations, let alone a growing population, and prices are rising. This seminar explores the issues, and makes the case for wider and more innovative use of mineral raw materials to meet the needs of food production for future generations. For further information contact Dr Joanna Clark (j.m.clark@reading.ac.uk)
[11/10/2011]
NERC research grant awarded for a volcanic study.
Professor Mark Hodson has been awarded funding for a project entitled 'Stress in a hot place: Ecogenomics and phylogeography in pantropical sentinel inhabiting multi-stressor volcanic soils'.
This exciting collaborative project involving the Universities of Cardiff, Reading and the Azores will determine how the earthworm Amynthas gracilis is able to survive in the challenging low oxygen, high carbon dioxide, high temperature, low pH soils found on the slopes of active volcanoes. As well as being of interest from an evolutionary and ecological perspective, results will provide insights into clinical anoxia & hypercapnia events e.g. brain ischemia. Read about Mark
[17/08/2011]
Professor Mark Hodson has been awarded a Science in Society Fellowship under the title Shining light on the environment.
Mark will work with Schools, feature at Science Festivals and be invloved in many other outreach and engagement activities.
The grant is from the Science and Technology Facilities Council and will provide teaching cover three years from this autumn to enable science communication based around use of synchrotron light sources (and specifically Diamond) in environmental science. Read the press release.
[15/06/2011]
Dr Chris Collins' team develop a new soil test which could reduce the cost of brownfield site redevelopment
A recent NERC funded project has studied the body's processes when it ingests polluted soil. This allows more representative measurements to be undertaken of the pollutants released during digestion.
'The test will also help local government determine if there is genuine risk from sites which may have low levels of residual pollution, such as allotments. Currently the new test is being used by three industrial customers and a local council.' says Chris. Read the press release.
[07/06/2011]
Dr Alan Howard wins RUSU Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning
Alan has been awarded the 2011 Gold Star Award for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Science.
The Gold Star Awards are the exciting new way for students to recognise and reward members of University staff who go above and beyond their normal duties in enhancing the student learning experience. Nominations for the prize come directly from students and are considered by a panel of student representatives who select a winner in each Faculty. Read more about the award.
[17/05/2011]
Destinations survey reveals success for over 80% of our 2010 students in their next step.
The results of the latest annual survey of graduates shows that 85% of students of Environmental Science at Reading are in graduate level work andor study.
[07/04/2011]
This year's Norma Wilkinson memorial lecture is entitled 'Global Climate Change: A Paleoclimate Perspective from the Worlds Highest Mountains'.
Professor Lonnie Thompson will give the Norma Wilkinson lecture on the evening of Tuesday 22 March. The talk will be held in the Nike Lecture Theatre, Agriculture Building and will start at 6.30 pm. Download the flyer (PDF 292KB)
[16/03/2011]
Dr Ruth Evans visits Sudan
Ruth visited Khartoum, Sudan from 28th Feb. - 4th March, with a University of Reading team led by Professor Steven Mithen, PVC for Internationalisation, to develop research partnerships with Afhad University for Women and other universities and organisations in Sudan. Read about Ruth
[15/03/2011]
Professor Stephen Nortcliff joins the Scientific Committee of International Atomic Energy Agency symposium on climate change
Stephen has been appointed to the Scientific Committee of the IAEA Symposium on Managing Soils for Food Security and Climate Change Adaption and Mitigation to be held in Vienna 23-26 July, 2012. Read about Professor Nortcliff
[15/03/2011]
Professor Mark Hodson reveals evidence of recent evolution in earthworms on BBC Horizon programme.
In a recent episode of Horizon, Dr Alice Roberts asks one of the great questions about our species: are we still evolving Mark shows Alice earthworms that tolerate high levels of soil contaminants in a dissused mine - indicationg evolution that has occurred within the last 100 years or so. View on iPlayer (until 15 March)
[02/03/2011]
Dr Joanna Clark is guest editor of a special issue of the journal Climate Research.
The special issue comprises 18 papers on 'Climate Change and the British Uplands', following a knowledge exchange project run by the Environment Agency and NERC QUEST research programme.
Topics covered include changing upland climates, mapping blanket peat vulnerability to climate change, measuring and modelling change in peatland carbon stocks, and managing upland ecosystem services under a changing climate. Read More...
[01/03/2011]
Professor Rob Potter joins migration research organisation
Rob Potter has been invited to become a member of the Observatory on African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Migration. The ACP Observatory is an initiative of the Secretariat of the APC Group of States, empowered by the International organization for Migration and funded by the European Union and Switzerland. Read about ACP migration
[24/02/2011]
Professor Penny Johnes returns from freezing Helsinki
Penny accepted an invitation to join the Academy of Finland Research Council for Biosciences and the Environment, to review research bids and fellowship applications for 2010-11. Read about Penny
[22/02/2011]
Dr Steve Musson comments on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee contest for city status
Steve has featured in several local papers including the Reading Chronicle, explaining the criteria used to demonstrate that it should be awarded city status and the benefits in winning the award. Read some of Steve's comments in the GazetteLive
[21/02/2011]
Professor Rob Potter's 1985 book available as an e-book
Rob's single authored monograph 'Urbanisation and Planning in the Third World: Spatial Perceptions and Public Participation' has been re-issued by Routledge and is available in hard back and e-book. First published in 1985, this book reconsiders the whole question of urbanisation and planning in the Third World. See the publishers details
[17/02/2011]