Release Date 06 July 2017

Mild climate change hopes dashed: New research shows temperature rises measured over recent decades don't fully reflect global warming already in the pipeline and that the ultimate heating of the planet could be even worse than feared. This Guardian article features comment from Prof Bill Collins (Met) on the impact of the new research. Article syndicated on Asia Pacific Daily.

The impact of the open-plan office: Mark Swain (Henley Business School) explains that adopting an open-plan environment can ‘blur the rules of rank' and ‘stop people from aspiring to leadership roles'  in this article in Raconteur about the impact of the open-office on leadership.

US withdrawal from UN funding: Prof Rosa Freedman (Law) and Prof Dominic Zaum (Research Dean) were involved in an online panel discussion for Above the Law on the subject of the relationship between the US and the UN since the US withdrew funds from UN programmes earlier this year.

Gang violence in Mexico: Dr Tom Long (Politics) explains to The Inquisitr that a targeting of drug cartel leaders can often end up in violence increasing as gangs become fragmented and there is a struggle for leadership.

Ancient Roman classroom: Prof Eleanor Dickey (Classics) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the series of ancient Roman classroom days she has been running on campus over the last week. School kids have been experiencing first-hand what it is like to learn in an ancient classroom - from doing maths on an abacus to writing on papyrus scrolls. She also explained how the methods of teaching maths had proved very popular with the children, even those that were not naturally gifted at the subject, and how these methods may help to inform modern teaching practice.

Resolving boardroom tension: Henley Business School has conducted research on behalf of ICSA: The Governance Institute, which has found that ‘tension' in the boardroom is considered healthy, whereas ‘conflict' is seen as disruptive. Prof Andrew Kakabadse (Henley Business School) presented the findings at ICSA's annual conference in London this week. Board Agenda reports.

Famous antiques experts visit the University: TV antiques experts will be at the Museum of English Rural Life this Saturday offering valuations for people's ‘treasure'. The Reading Chronicle covers the news.

Other coverage:

• Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology) was a collaborator in new research which suggests that ancient underground fungi could be helping trees in Canada spread north, to avoid the effects of climate change. Science Daily covers the story.
• In this article on Green Prophet, the University of Reading is named among a list of awardees of significant funding from the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, that were announced last year.
• The University Bars team is shortlisted in the TUCO awards for Team of the Year. Cost Sector Catering reports.
• Two former Typography students have set up a community group in Mumbai to discuss and discover new typeface designs, writes Mid-day.com.
• Dr Sarah Cardey presented at the recent Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, focussing on gender, ICTs and agriculture. E-agriculture provided a summary of the day.