Reading in the news - Tue 30 Nov

University Challenge: Reading’s team competed on University Challenge on BBC Two last night, making it through to the quarter finals. The Express, Brinkwire, Daily Record and Tay FM Radio Dundee report on Reading’s performance. 

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke’s (Biological Sciences) article on the Omicron variant was published by The Spectator. He was quoted by Daily Mail (and in print) on the unknown seriousness of the Omicron virus; The Times on an ‘unbalanced’ BBC interview with a hard-left scientist who criticised the UK government’s reintroduction of restrictions; and clips from his interview with Associated Press on the Omicron variant were used hundreds of times by a total of 78 broadcasters. Dr Clarke was interviewed on GB News; and 12 regional BBC radio stations, including BBC Radio London.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) was quoted by Research Professional News on the UK's capacity to make its own vaccines. 
• Dr Alexander Edwards (Pharmacy) was quoted by Yahoo!, five regional news outlets; and several commercial radio station websites, including Capital FM, on detecting and dealing with the Omicron variant. He also answered listeners’ questions on BBC Radio Berkshire about booster jabs, vaccinations, and the Omicron variant. 
• Professor Eleanor Dickey (Classics) was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster on the pronunciation of ‘Omicron’.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• India Education Diary reports on the University being awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize for its work on climate change. Read our news story. 
• Select Science and India Education Diary report on research led by Dr Bola Oloyede (Food) aimed at helping consumers dispose of food packages in a sustainable way. Read our news story. 
• Dr Anna Macready (Agriculture) was quoted by Select Science on the technology revolution in farming to increase yield and reduce carbon footprint and food waste.

Other Coverage:

• South East Farmer report on a trial that was independently assessed by Reading that investigated growing phacelia and oil radish cover crops as part of a solution to improve soil organic matter.
• Kevin Mortimer (Head of Operations) was quoted by UK Authority on the importance of developing and testing a good disaster recovery plan for if there is an incident online and data is lost. 
• Jon Foster-Pedley (Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa) was quoted by Leader and MBA on a paper commissioned by Henley Business School Africa that identifies the best way to lead remote teams. 
• Case reports on a partnership between Henley Business School and Semicolon Africa to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
• Hay Market reports on Dr Chris Dalton (Henley Business School) partnering with Management Today to deliver courses on executive education. 
• Dr Neil Cocks (English Literature) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on 'the uncanny'.  
• P3 Pharmacy, Pharmacy Magazine, and Independent Pharmacist report on a study being supervised by Dr Nilesh Patel (Pharmacy) on the impact of medicine shortages on pharmacies. 
• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) was quoted by Suara on doctors suggesting green, leafy vegetables could ease migraine headaches. 
• The Reading Chronicle and Bracknell News report on Wokingham Borough Council’s local plan, which includes potential plans for land owned by the University. Read our statement on the University’s response to the local plan update.
• The Artist (in print) publishes painting tips from Reading graduate and award-winning artist Julie Collins.
• The Carlat Report reports on a study conducted by the University that found introducing flavonoids into new mothers' diets improved overall wellbeing.
• The University was mentioned by Process and Control on carrying out apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and sponsored student course placements for RS Components.
• An interview on financial inclusion with a Henley graduate was published by Authority Magazine. 
• An obituary for a Henley graduate was published by Galveston News.