Reading in the news - Wed 7 May

Papal conclave: Professor Rebecca Rist (History) spoke to BBC News Channel about the process for naming a new pope. The interview aired on BBC World and across regional BBC stations, including: BBC 1 Northen Ireland, BBC 1 South West, BBC 1 East, BBC 1 East Midlands, BBC 1 Scotland, BBC 1 West, BBC 1 Yorkshire and BBC 1 Wales. Professor Rist also featured on BBC Radio Berkshire, LBC News and Greatest Hits Radio. From our story: Conclave history and process explained by papal expert.

AI adoption: New research from Henley Business School, led by Professor Keiichi Nakata, on attitudes to AI adoption in the workplace has been reported by The Mirror, Express, Daily Star and National World. Republished by MSN. From our story: 56% of Brits are feeling optimistic but overwhelmed when it comes to AI

Business and society:

• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Dr Kiwi Ting (Politics and International Relations) on the fallout for the government following last week’s local elections.
• Professor Lisa Purse (Film, Theatre and Television) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford about the significant contribution of local studios to Hollywood film and TV productions and the impact of potential tariffs from the US.
• The Conversation publishes an article co-written by PhD student Hillary Chanda, Dr Michael Peters and Dr Eugene Mohareb (all Built Environment) the adoption of solar power in Zambia. Republished by Green Building Africa and Sun Connect.
• Insider Media reports that Henley Business School has renewed its contract with skills specialist Think to enhance its apprenticeship programme.

Food and farming:

• EcoWatch and Western Morning News (in print) highlight research led by Dr Charlotte Howard (Sustainable Land Management) that found planting wildflowers in apple orchards could save farmers money. From our story: Flower strips could save apple farmers pest control costs.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Economics Observatory lists Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) as a key expert on policy responses to the global water crisis.
• RDG.Today reports on a new study, co-led by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), about how the climate stripes can visualise warming in the oceans and the atmosphere. From our story: Climate stripes expand to show warming oceans and atmosphere.
• Reading research is mentioned in a speech about protecting nature in the House of Lords, as seen on BBC Parliament.

Other coverage:

• Dr Nicola Wilson (English Literature) spoke to BBC Radio Three about libraries and reading habits in the post-war period.