Reading in the news - Mon 1 Dec

Tilted axis: Dr Robin Smith (Meteorology) appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Curious Cases about the impact of the Earth’s axial tilt. Also featured in Time News and World Today News.

Airbus grounding: Professor Mathew Owens spoke to Sky News about potential solar radiation impacts affecting Airbus A320 planes, with quotes in Bloomberg, Business Times and MSN. From our expert comment: Airbus planes grounded, expert explains space interference

Health and wellbeing:

• The Reading Chronicle and BBC Radio Berkshire featured a project led by Dr Atta Naqvi (Pharmacy) using film to train pharmacy students in patient care. From our story: Student films train pharmacists in inclusive healthcare
• Research from Professor Sakthi Vaiyapuri (Pharmacy) found a new way to treat snake bites, reports Knowridge. From our story: COVID vaccine tech could limit snake venom damage
• Libelle and Indiacsr mentioned research into mental health benefits of houseplants. From our story: Attractive houseplants give biggest well-being boost.
• BYTESEU reported on research from Professor Christos Pliatsikas (Centre for Literacy & Multilingualism) and PhD student Xinyu Liu (Psychology) which found brain benefits to learning another language.

Business and society:

• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) was interviewed by ThatsTV on the Government’s 2025 autumn budget. From our expert comment: Budget: 'Reducing energy bill prices is a green win'
• Reading Today reported that the University’s English Conversation Cafes scheme has won an award at the #WeAreInternational Awards 2025. Daniel Devane, Director of the Global Study Lounge, is quoted. From our story: English conversation cafes at Reading win national award
• MSN highlighted Henley Business School research into the benefits of four-day working week.
• Professor Emerita Rosemary Auchmuty (Law) wrote a book review for The Law Society Gazette.
• Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, wrote for Personal Finance and IOL (republished by MSN and Africa News) on the recent G20 summit in South Africa.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Research from Professor Hong Yang (Geography and Environmental Science) found a link between climate change and sinkholes, reports BBC Countryfile.
• Daily Mail (republished by MSN) quoted Professor Michael Lockwood (Meteorology) on the likelihood of the sun dimming.
• A study from Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology) found a new method of discovering dinosaur fossils, reports National Geographic Hungary. From our story: Lichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones
• Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology) was quoted by Hawaii Tribune and Forskning about lightening on Mars.
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by Hiru News on cyclones in South Asia.
• WeAreAquaculture reported on Reading research into land-based prawn production. 
• PhD student Jeff Da Costa (Geography and Environmental Science) spoke to Thames Valley station ThatsTV about the effects of Storm Claudia.
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by The Guardian, AK-24,LNG, Yahoo!News, MSN, Newz9, and others on UK drought.
• Daily Telegraph mentioned work by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on climate change and turbulence. From our story: Turbulent flights to continue as warming world shakes skies
• Next Mobility mentioned research into the reduction of aviation contrails.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Tim Penn’s (Classics) Conversation article on the BBC’s Civilisations was published in Caithness Business Index.
• AizGoa News mentioned the involvement of Dr Apurba Chatterjee (History) with the DAG gallery collection art exhibition.

Other coverage:

• Time Out quoted a Reading marketing student on a speed dating event for film lovers.
• DHGate highlighted Reading’s study advice for writing literature reviews.
• Professor Naomi Flynn (Education) was quoted by Southern Daily Echo on her project which helps multilingual children in the classroom. From our story: Embedding oracy in teaching helps multilingual pupils thrive
• Wokingham Today included comments from Wokingham’s opposition leader on plans to build homes at the University’s Hall Farm.
• Oman Observer provided further quotes from PhD student Ahmed Al Mayahi on the most recent British Omani Society meeting.
• BBC News (republished by K24, UK Times, and The Fuse) quoted the parent of a Reading student on using tracking apps while at university.

Alumni:

• Phaedros Pantelides, who studied Business and Economics, wrote for FXStreet about PCE rates in the US.
• The Christian Institute featured an obituary for its Chairman, Revd Dr Richard Turnbull, who studied economics and accounting at Reading.

• Abergavenny Chronicle and Monmouthshire Beacon highlighted the performance of Finnola Stratton, who studied philosophy, politics, and economics, during recent GB Rowing Trials.