Reading in the news - Mon 18 Nov

Doctoral training: Nearly 200 new PhDs places will be created at Reading as part of a £500 million government investment in research training, reports Heart Radio. From our story: New PhD centres support environmental sustainability studies

Coverage of COP29: 

Ratopati and Republica reported on the Walker Institute’s involvement in an event at COP29 about how climate finance is used to address loss and damage.

Lynn De Miranda (Walker Institute) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford, discussing the challenges at COP29 and addressing climate issues.

Theo Keeping (Research Scientist) was interviewed by LBC Radio, discussing the need to include countries reliant on fossil fuels to avoid economic and social fallout.

Sustainability Middle East News and Trend News Agency highlights the "Woven Stripes" carpet at COP29, inspired by Professor Ed Hawkins’ (Meteorology) climate stripes. From our story: Show your stripes and turn climate conversations into action.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

The University is featured by Leadership and Nigerian News, celebrating the Whitley Inclusion Festival highlighting cultural diversity and inclusion through performance.

Reading Today features Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort discussing the University’s commitment to fostering debate, including through public lectures.

Reading Chronicle reports the official opening of Swallows Meadow in Lower Earley, a new green space owned by the University. From our story: Green space opens to all in Earley

Heritage and culture:

Professor Helen Parish (History) is quoted by the Daily Mail, discussing how debates over when to put up Christmas decorations reflect psychological behaviours. Republished by Express Digest.

Professor David Oderberg (Philosophy) is interviewed by Voice of Islam Radio, discussing a study on how others perceive individuals and its impact.

The Cornish Times (in print) highlighted findings on Bodmin Moor including Dr Rob Batchelor (Director of Quaternary Scientific) emphasising the site's historical significance.

Dr Matthew Nicholls (Classics) was interviewed about Roman theatre for the series Tony Robinson’s History of Britain on Channel 5.

Professor John Gibbs (Film, Theatre and Television) is mentioned by Wokingham Today, providing an introduction to a film at the Whitty Theatre event.

Health and wellbeing:

Daily Mail features Dr Hisham Al-Obaid (Pharmacy) highlighting that many over-the-counter treatments lack strong evidence of effectiveness. Republished by Mahalsa.

Medical Xpress highlights a study from the University stresses the importance of hospitals using AI responsibly to reduce carbon emissions. Republished by Today Headline.

Food and farming:

An interview with Professor Ian Givens (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was repeated by BBC Radio Berkshire, discussing the broader roles of vitamin D in the body.

The University in collaboration with 17 European partners and funded by Horizon Europe and UKRI, is researching nitrogen use in wheat-legume intercrops, reports Farmers Weekly.

Gloucestershire Live, Gazette Live, Grimsby Telegraph, Belfast Live, Wales Online, Kent Live, Leicester Mercury, Hull Daily Mail, Devon Live, Plymouth Herald, Essex Live, Get Reading, Daily Post, Bristol Post, Derby Telegraph , Coventry Telegraph, Cornwallive, The Nottingham Postand Cambridge News, feature research by Yakult, including comment from Professor Glenn Gibson (Food and Nutritional Sciences), exploring variations in UK diets and health.

Oudtshoorn Courant and Every Woman highlights a Reading study suggesting that a lifestyle including mushrooms, fresh produce, and exercise can support health.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

Watson quotes Chris Hilson (Law) noting that Donald Trump's reliance on fossil fuels may hinder the US economy rather than benefit it. From our story: Trump may not totally ignore climate change - expert comment

The 163.com article highlights The University of Reading ranks third in the UK and fifth globally for Meteorology and Climate in the 2023 Shanghai Rankings.

Haberler highlighted Professor Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Sciences) praising Malaga's swift evacuation decision for preventing potential loss of life during severe floods. From our expert comment: Malaga floods: ‘Prompt evacuations likely saved lives’

Bangladesh Post  and Countercurrents quotes Dr Patrick McGuire (Meteorology) highlighting the urgent need for rapid decarbonisation.

A study by the Universityis highlighted by Blick, showing a significant increase in turbulence over the North Atlantic and the USA in the past four decades. Republished by MSN.

The University is mentioned by the Reading Chronicle for being named Sustainable University of the Year by The Times.

Carbon Brief highlights Professor Ted Shepherd (Meteorology) delivered the opening talk at the EGU General Assembly in Vienna discussing storyline attribution for extreme weather. 

Other coverage:

The Post and Courier highlights Logan Lewis, currently studying at the University who participated in the Spartan Trifecta World Championship in Greece.

The Express highlights how the town of Reading benefits from the University, citing its position in the Times and Sunday Times ranking.

Alumni:

The Vradini features Henley Business School graduate Viki Haritou, co-author of the "Inclusion Diary".

BBC Radio Oxford highlights Reading graduate Spencer Oliver, founder of Hashtag United, as his team travels to Brackley. 

InYourArea highlights an exhibition curated by Reading art graduate Peter Lord at the National Library of Wales.