Reading in the news - Mon 22 Dec

Step into Christmas: Professor Andrew Mangham (English Literature) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire, discussing the inspiration for Dickens's Scrooge. BBC Radio Berkshire (replayed by other local BBC stations) also aired a Christmas performance from the University choir

Health and wellbeing:

• UKTimes, International Business Times, and Money Control (republished by MSN) quoted Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) on a new flu strain. 
• Dr Tijana Blanusa (Agriculture, Policy, and Development) spoke to BBC Radio 4 about her study into the benefits of keeping houseplants. From our story: Attractive houseplants give biggest well-being boost 

Food and farming:

• Epoch Times highlighted research into the benefits of eating blueberries. 
• Professor Richard Ellis (Crop Science) was quoted by The Sunday Express (print) on the growth of vineyards in the UK. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Zielona and Democratic Underground reported on research by Professor Nigel Arnell (Meteorology) on the potential extreme climate impacts facing the UK. From our story: UK’s worst-case climate risks laid bare for lawmakers  
• Dr Claire Ryder (Meteorology) was quoted by SSBCrack News on the cause of pink fog. 
• PhD researcher Flynn Ames (Meteorology) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Yahoo News) about Saturn’s moon, Enceladus. 
• Scottish Parliament Spotlight featured climate stripes developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology). 
• Red Cross Climate Centre mentioned Professor Liz Stephens, Dr Alex Baker and Dr Akshay Deoras (all Meteorology) in their roundup from 2025. 
• Merkur quoted Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology) on cloud seeding in the United Arab Emirates. 
• The Press (print) provided further quotes from Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on York’s flood defences.   

Business and society:

• Digital Pioneers featured a study by Dr Katie Gray (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on detecting AI faces. From our story: Five minutes of training could help you spot fake AI faces 
• Visiting Fellow Neal Hudson (Henley Business School) was quoted by The I Paper (republished by MSN,  PressBee) on government plans to boost homeownership. 
• Dr Yang Ding and Dr Xuchang Chen (both Henley Business School) wrote an article in The Conversation (republished by The Local Report) on fast fashion. With further mentions in LNG.  

Heritage and culture:

• ANR News and SSBCrack News reported on a study co-authored by Professor Hella Eckardt (Archaeology) on the origins of a skeleton found in southern England. From our story: Roman-era ‘Beachy Head Woman’ originated from southern UK 

Alumni:

• The Reading Chronicle (republished by MSN) featured journalist Phil Creighton, Typography and Graphic Communication graduate, who received an honorary degree from the University. From our story: Local journalism value celebrated with honorary 
• Africa Oil and Gas Report mentioned that Leye Falade, Henley Business School graduate, is the next Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas. 
• The Telegraph (republished by Yahoo News) quoted Reform’s honorary treasurer and Reading graduate Nick Candy. 
• Business and Economics graduate, Phaedros Pantelides, wrote for FXStreet on GDP rates across Christmas. 
• Land Management graduate Aled Jones has been appointed Pro-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, reports Powys Country Times. 
• Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College and Reading graduate, was profiled by Devon Live.