Reading in the news - Mon 22 Mar

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to LBC Radio about the UK’s vaccine program; Daily Mail and iNews about vaccines and travel restrictions; Daily Mail, the Mirror and the Express on the UK’s vaccine delay; and iNews about the risks posed by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall’s planned visit to Greece. BBC Radio 5 Live interviewed Dr Clarke on the low protection vaccines might offer againt different virus variants.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) answered listeners’ questions on BBC Radio Berkshire on the risk to the UK of the third wave being seen in some European countries.
• Professor Jon Gibbins (Biological Sciences) is quoted by Archynewsy on blood clotting concerns around the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted in a separate Archynewsy article on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

• Professor James Reade (Economics) writes a Forbes article on his research into how home advantage has changed while games are played behind closed doors.

#UniForReading: reaffirming our role as a civic university – find out more

• Built Environment Networking interviewed Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor, about how the University is contributing to the development of the Thames Valley area, following his involvement in the Thames Valley Development Conference.

Post-Brexit landscapes: The Sunday Times reports on Reading research suggesting agricultural policy changes post-Brexit could lead to a large increase in the number of trees in the UK.

Other coverage:

• The Sunday Telegraph quotes Professor Martin Bell (Archaeology) on plans to build on peatland potentially threatening undiscovered archaeological finds.
• Professor Wing Lam, Provost and CEO of University of Reading Malaysia, writes for The Star (Malaysia) about ways universities are innovating.
• Professor Matt Worley (History) is quoted by My London on London in the 1970s and how the song Tube Station at Midnight by The Jam was inspired.
• Khaleej Times, Zawya, Techno Mag and FutureDXB report on trials being led by the University of Reading of using drones to deliver electrical charge to clouds to induce rainfall.
• Commercial radio stations across the UK played comments by Professor Kate Williams (History) on the importance of the Census survey.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Harriet Atkinson from the University of Brighton about her research on the latest item to be featured from the Museum’s 51 Voices project to celebrate its 70^th anniversary. Read our news story.

• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Chris Reynolds (Agriculture) about their trials feeding seaweed to cows to see if they emit less methane.
• Astronomy reports on the ‘space hurricane’ identified for the first time by researchers including Professor Mike Lockwood at the University of Reading. Read our news story.
• Sohu (China) mentions the University of Reading in an explainer article on high-ranked universities in the UK.
• Australian Times republishes a blog written for The Conversation by Dr Jorge Guira on how high oil prices might affect the transition to renewable energy.
• Professor Uma Kambhampati (SPEIR) co-signs a letter to the Telegraph arguing against research funding cuts announced by the UK government.
• Building magazine mentions a digital consultation being co-run by the University, gathering thoughts on housebuilders, in a feature looking at home design and wellbeing.
• The Reading Chronicle reports that plans for the temporary film studios submitted by Shinfield Studios on land next to Thames Valley Science Park, after an agreement was reached with the University last year, are up for approval this week. Read our news story.
• India Education Diary reports that all University of Reading marketing degrees will now include CIM accreditation. Read our news story.
• Berkshire Live reports on ITV weather presenter Laura Tobin’s impressive performance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, mentioning that she is a Reading graduate.
• Africa.com includes Henley Business School Africa in its list of the top 10 business schools in Africa.
• Berkshire Live recounts tales linking Foxhills House on Whiteknights Campus with occultist Aleister Crowley.