Reading in the news - Fri 22 Oct

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was quoted by Daily Mail, MSN, Press From, Eminetra, India Times Post, The Washington Time, Whats New 2 Today, Today UK News, News Break, The US Posts, Express Digest, Express Informer and Business Fast on the falling rate of Covid infections seen among older people; iNews and Knowledia on whether Covid vaccinations should be compulsory; The Girl Sun on criticism on the UK's booster jab rollout; and News Groove and Business Mayor on trial results of an antiviral Covid pill. Dr Clarke was interviewed on France 24, BBC Radio Surrey and BBC Radio London.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) was quoted by Daily Mail on how a new variant of Covid affects vaccination efforts and immunity; and WSB-TV and Reach MD on Covid immunity.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) was quoted by Opera News, Wokingham Today, Reading Today, Smart Brief on the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy, launched this week.
• PhD student Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) writes a blog for the Weather Channel on the 2021 south west monsoon season in India.
• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio Orkney about countries reportedly downplaying the need to move away from fossil fuels in response to the recent IPCC report on climate change.
• Farming Online and ENN report on University of Reading research that found putting honeybee hives on solar parks could be economically beneficial, with Professor Simon Potts (Biological Sciences) quoted.
• The University was mentioned by Yahoo News, Foreign Affairs, The Conversation, Australian Times, Global Advisors and KNEWS on previous research published that highlighted the importance of accounting for year-to-year wind speed variability.

#UniForReading: reaffirming our role as a civic university 

• The University was mentioned by Local Gov on the approval of new film studios on University land in Shinfield, which will deliver significant economic, social, and environmental benefits. 

Other Coverage:

• BBC Radio Berkshire previewed Thursday evening’s Do Black Lives Matter? Event, organised by the Students’ Union Champions Team and the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality.
• Dr Mark Shanahan (Politics & International Relations) commented on BBC Radio Berkshire on former US President Donald Trump’s plans to launch his own social media platform.
• Professor Jon Gibbins (Biological Sciences) and was quoted by Gen News and Cardiovascular Business on research that the University conducted to create personalized blood-clotting profiles that would benefit those at risk from strokes and heart attacks.
• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was quoted by Nutrition Insight on criticism of a study that found restricted caloric diets can impact tumour growth. 
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) was mentioned by Medical Xpress on research he took part in to develop a new safer vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease.
• New Kerala reports on Reading research showing eating millets can combat anaemia. Read our news story.
• Sussex Live references Reading research on the benefits of city status in an article on Crawley’s bid. 
• Megan Powell, a student from the University, was mentioned by The Scottish Farmer on being selected to receive a 'Centenary Award' bursary. 
• Marcilla Di Mauro attended a three-week Flavourist Training Course developed by the University and was selected to win the IFEAT award, as reported by BFBI.
• INREV reports that University graduate Ian Williamson has been announced as the new Managing Director and Head of Core Plus Real Estate at global investment firm KKR.