Reading in the news - Wed 3 Dec

Business and society:

• MirageNews featured research from Dr Zahra Pooranian (Computer Science) which created a system to prevent transport technology cyber-attacks. From our story: New defence system for transport smart-tech could save lives
• Dr Naomi Lott (Law) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Yahoo! News and Inkl) about the 2025 autumn budget and playground investment.
• Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) co-wrote an article for Common Dreams (republished by HeadTopics) on illegal orders by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.
• Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) was quoted by Business Insider, StockPick, Lado, and DNYUZ (republished by MSN) on post-pandemic increases in business meetings.

Health and wellbeing:

• Pravda reported on a study led by Professor Sakthi Vaiyapuri (Pharmacy), which found a new treatment for snake bites. From our story: COVID vaccine tech could limit snake venom damage
• Professor Parveen Yaqoob (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was quoted by Manchester Evening News on how to boost your immune system.

Food and farming:

• Vince highlighted research into the cognitive benefits of consuming walnuts.
• Country Life reported on a project on sustainable land-based prawn production, which Reading is involved in.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Popular Archaeology, MirageNews and Eurasia Review reported on a study co-authored by Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) into a the mystery surrounding a 2,700-year-old solar eclipse.
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by Jutarnji on UK drought.

Other coverage:

• Corinne Brookes, International Student Experience Manager, spoke to That’s TV Thames Valley about the University’s award-winning English Conversation Cafes scheme. From our story: English conversation cafes at Reading win national award
• USNews, IFLScience, NewsmaxHealth, Fox41, and various global outlets quoted Dr Nicholas Hedger (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on his study into flinching during films. From our story: Why watching someone get hurt on screen makes you wince
• BBC Radio Berkshire highlighted an upcoming performance by the University’s Choir at Reading Minster Church on 16^th December.
• Daily Galaxy reported on a study led by Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology) into how lichens and drones are changing the way scientists look for dinosaur fossils. From our story: Lichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones
• Unwire mentioned a Reading study into AI-generated university essays.

Alumni:

• AdomOnline profiled Judge Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, who studied Law at Reading.
• The Teachers’ Union featured an obituary for Nigel de Gruchy, General Secretary of NASUWT, who studied Economics and Philosophy.
• Business and Economics graduate, Phaedros Pantelides, wrote for FXStreet about US inflation and the price of gold.
• Financial Intelligence (republished by Profit and NewMoney) quoted Henley Business School graduate Ioana Necula on investment into Genesis College, which she is the founder and CEO of.
• Tatler highlighted that Real Estate graduate Rob Treasure recently became Queen Camilla’s new equerry.
• The Guardian (republished by Yahoo! News) provided an obituary for Professor Michael Twyman, founder of Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication.