Reading in the news - Tue 10 Sep

Guardian University Guide 2025: The Tab features a write-up of the latest Guardian University Guide, published over the weekend. It contains the full ranking list of institutions and Reading is at number 35, up from 44 last year. Read our news story.

Extreme weather increasing: Daily Mail and The i (in print) highlights a study co-authored by Dr Laura Wilcox (Meteorology) which warns that nearly 75% of the world’s population could experience significant increases in extreme weather events within the next 20 years. Also published by: MSN, PHYS, Scientias, Nation, EurekAlert, Cosmos Magazine, Democratic Underground, Science Daily, Environmental News Net Work, Sydney Today, Mirage News and News Explorer. Read our news story.

Health and wellbeing:

• Al Jazeera interviewed Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) following a recent case of bird flu contracted by a US citizen.
• Mewburn highlights the University of Reading's collaboration on the BoobyBiome project, which focuses on replicating the breast milk microbiome.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Business Insider features a 2023 study by researchers from the University of Reading, highlighting that turbulence over the North Atlantic has increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020. Republished by DNYUZ, Germanic News, Yahoo! News and others.
• Professor Ed Hawkins’ (Meteorology) ‘climate stripes’ are mentioned as the inspiration for new air pollution stripes in Portfolio (Hungarian).
• CGTN Europe interviewed Dr Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) regarding super Typhoon Yagi.

Food and farming:

• Farmers Guardian features a report from the University of Reading that emphasizes the need for clearer distinctions between organic and regenerative farming practices. Read our news story.

Heritage and culture:

• Professor Kate Williams (History) was interviewed by CNN International Europe, providing insights into the most recent video message from the Princess of Wales.

Business and society:

• MIT Sloan Review (Spanish) features insights from Professor Ben Laker (Leadership) and Dr Adeyinka Adewale (both Henley Business School) on how companies can boost professional growth for remote employees.
• L’Etudiant (French) covers the release of the Financial Times Masters in Management Rankings for 2024, in which Henley Business School is ranked 5^th in the UK and 83^rd globally. Read our news story.
• The International Risk Podcast features Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) discussing the role of the UN in the Gaza/Israel conflict.

Other Coverage:

• Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort writes for Reading Today on welcoming students to our community, as well as highlighting the benefits of international students in the UK.
• BBC Radio Berkshire mentions a new initiative from the University’s Typography department, which will see students offering free branding and design work for non-profits and social enterprises in the Berkshire area, as part of The Branding Project 2025.
• Pledge Times covers a Reading study in which scientists trained a hydrogel to play the 1970s game Pong. Republished by Ruetir. The study is also referred to in R&D World. Read our news story.
• Bracknell News and Reading Chronicle feature stories about the upcoming Natural History Museum research centre due to be built at the University-owned Thames Valley Science Park.
• MC Press Online republish an IBM blog post about new tools to prevent AI being used for cheating, mentions research by the University which found that 94% of ChatGPT exam answers were not spotted by the people grading the exams.
• Gaz (Brazilian) reports that Professor Leandro França (Law) is involved in a global research project on violence in schools.

Alumni:

• CIWEM features Dr Michael Image, an associate at AtkinsRéalis, who completed a part-time PhD at the University of Reading.