Reading in the news - Mon 30 Sep

Health and wellbeing:

• The Daily Mail reports on new research carried out by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Reading that can benefit those suffering with arthritis. Also reported by Thames Valley Chamber and MSN.

Food and farming:

• Farmers Weekly reports that Reading students will attend the Oxford Farming Conference as part of a diversity initiative.
• Horti Daily, The Herald (in print) and Scotland News Today feature the 'Super Lettuce' research, aimed at advancing urban agriculture, and acknowledging support from the University of Reading.
• Farmers Weekly reports that University of Reading researchers suggest that providing toys and enriched environments for dairy calves can lead to long-term benefits.
• Farmers Guide covers the research project to develop climate-resilient legume crops, which Dr Donal O’Sullivan (Agriculture) is collaborating on.

Business and society:

• The Business Magazine highlights the Thames Valley Property Awards 2024, with Professor Kathy Pain (Henley Business School) as one of the independent judges.
• People Management features insights from Dr Melissa Carr (Henley Business School), noting that diversity and inclusion initiatives within organisations tend to be "cyclical”.
• CNN Portugal features Dr Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School) discussing the rapid evolution of jobs. Republished by MSN. 

Heritage and Culture:

• Reading Borough Council announces the programme for Black History Month 2024, featuring the Creative Connection evening supported by the University of Reading.
• Medievalists highlights a discussion on "Life and Government in Royal Castles in the Long Thirteenth Century," featuring Professor Emerita Lindy Grant (History).
• The Past reports on the Cookham Monastery excavation, where Professor Gabor Thomas (Archaeology) explains that the findings show monasteries as centres of healing during the Anglo-Saxon period.
• The Genetic Literacy Project highlights research by Professor Mary Lewis (Archaeology) developing a technique to assess puberty stages in ancient teenagers. Read our news story.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) explained the effects of delayed monsoons over northwest India in The Print.
• BBC Radio Sheffield mentioned a tweet from Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), outlining the increasing intensity of UK rainfall due to a warming atmosphere.
• Commercial Motor (in print) highlights DPD's sponsorship of Forest Green Rovers, whose kit features the climate stripes, developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology).
• Landscape & Amenity (in print) reports the University of Reading is collaborating to gather insights on how climate change affects garden plants.

Other Coverage:

• Reading.co.uk reports that the University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year 2025 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. Read our news story.
• The Reading Chronicle (in print) reports on a strong start for Reading Hockey Club's first teams, with student Georgia Howe scoring the winning goal for the women’s team.
• The Reading Chronicle (in print) highlights the launch of a new bus service, White Knight, providing fast transport between Reading Station and the University of Reading.
• The Times profiles Iain McPherson, who was recently voted Bartenders’ Bartender 2024, and mentions that he once took a course in ‘the science of ice cream’ at Reading.

Alumni:

• The Mail & Guardian profiles Thasmei Reddy, Senior Manager of Digital Transformation at Worley, who is driving innovation in the mining sector. She studied for an MBA at Henley Business School.
• Poker.org features an article by former student Nick Eastwood, who writes about his experiences as a professional poker player.
• Tech Central reports that Rayan Peters, an MBA graduate from Henley Business School Africa, has been appointed CFO at BlueSky.