Reading in the news - Mon 16 Dec

AI exams: The Guardian and The Observer report on how students are using AI to cheat, with reference to a study of the effectiveness of human markers in detecting use of AI. Also in MSN, AOL, INKL, newscabal. From our story: AI generated exam answers undetected in real world test.

Business and society:

• FE News reports on a new report co-authored by Henley Business School highlighting the systematic barriers hindering the progression of Black academics in the UK. From our story: Action needed to dismantle systematic barriers faced by Black academics
• Daily Maverick features a study by Bonga Percy Vilakazi (Henley Business School) who emphasises the need for continuous learning.

Food and farming:

• BBC Radio 4 reports that Andy Howard, winner of the BBC Food and Farming award for future farming, is collaborating with Reading on compost trials.
• The Reading Chronicle and Countryfile on BBC Two report that Ramandeep Nijjar, a second-year Zoology student at Reading, also won a BBC award. From our story: Zoology student named Countryfile Young Countryside Champion.
• FPC Fresh Talk Daily features Dr Matthew Ordidge (Crop Science), who emphasises the cultural importance of apples in Britain.
• The Hindu highlights the University's comprehensive programmes for study of Food Science and Nutrition.

Heritage and culture:

• The Mirror features Dr Geoff Smith (Archaeology) on the discovery of ancient human DNA, revealing their adaptation to harsh climates and interaction with Neanderthals. Also published in DD News, Express, The Financial Express, TechRegister, Wion News, China Daily Asia, indy100 and West Hawaii Today. From our story: Oldest human DNA reveals family network that spanned Europe.
• The Times Literary Supplement highlights how the archives of Geoffrey Matthews at Reading have proven invaluable in the creation of a new collection of Percy Shelley’s poetry.

Health and wellbeing

• Pressetext, extradienst and Kurier highlights research from the University showing that sending encouraging or compassionate text messages increases the sender's happiness.
• The Sun reports on a study from Reading that found watching a TV chat show for 30 minutes can boost mental powers.

UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Wokingham.Today highlights the Community Vision initiative, which is guided by a steering group including representatives from the University.
• Professor Yelena Kalyuzhnova (Henley Business School) attended the "La Femme Nuage" exhibition in Henley, reports Business Mole.
• Reading Today and Greatest Hits Radio report that University staff donated arts and crafts activity packs to the Rainbow Trust, the University’s Charity of the Year.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) comments to AFP on the record global heat in 2023 and 2024 with coverage in France24, The Sun (Malaysia), and many other global news outlets.
• ACCU Weather, Lestari and Germanic quote Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on the role of small rivers in flooding.
• Yahoo News quotes Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) on the risks created by severe Mediterranean storms.
• New Scientist and Sentinel Source features comments from Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on the recent aurora displays.

Other coverage:

Chefs Hadi Roumanos and James Norburn are representing Reading in the Chefs' Challenge in the TUCO Competitions 2025.

Alumni:

• Artlyst highlights Marilyn Hallam, a painter known for her luminous works, who studied fine art at the University of Reading.
• The Henley Standard (in print) reports on the life of Angela Pengilley, who completed a master's in music in 1996 at the university.
• AP News, EIN Presswire, Crowdsourcing, Asian Americans, Eurozone, The Podcast Park, EIN News, 3WZ FM, News Channel Nebraska,EIN News, US 983 and Hispanics feature Arthi Rabikrisson, who has been selected as Empowered Woman of the Year by IAOTP and is a MBA graduate from Henley Business School Africa.