Reading in the news - Thu 13 Nov

Cookham’s Hidden Wonders: A new Channel 4 archaeology programme presented by Sandi Toksvig features the University of Reading’s excavations of an 8th century monastery in Cookham. Professor Gabor Thomas, Professor Mary Lewis and Dr Sophia Mills (all Archaeology) are interviewed. Sarah Lambert-Gates (Technical Services) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the excavations and the programme. From our story: Sandi Toksvig discovers Cookham monastery’s Hidden Wonders.

Rowing revolution: British Rowing writes about Reading University Boat Club’s ‘generational success’ over the past decade and over the past 12 months. Will Rand (Director, RUBC), Chris Bartley and Simon Williamson (both coaches, RUBC) are interviewed.

Health and wellbeing:

• Reading Today reported on a study into the risks of black hair care products. Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles (Geography and Environmental Science) is mentioned. From our story: Black hair care products may impact health and identity

• Professor Christos Pliatsikas (Director of the Centre for Literacy & Multilingualism) was quoted by Daily Kos and ZME Science on a study finding cognitive benefits to learning another language. 

• PhD student Molly Sheila Harbor (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Tolerance, Mirage News, and Yahoo!News) on the fear of vomiting.

Business and society:

• Mail Online, TechXplore, AML Intelligence, StudyFinds, T3N, TS2, and various global outlets provided further coverage of a study from Dr Katie Gray (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on detecting AI-generated faces. From our story: Five minutes of training could help you spot fake AI faces

Food and farming:

• PoultryWorld highlighted research from Professor Richard Bennett (Agriculture) about the development of an animal welfare scale. From our story: UK shoppers would pay billions more for high-welfare meat

• AHDB mentioned a campaign which took place on Whiteknights Campus to promote milk’s nutritional benefits. 

• Gazeta Shqip mentioned research finding benefits to eating walnuts. 

• Dr Paola Tosi (Crop Science) was quoted by The Cool Down (republished by MSN) on the impact of climate change on crop yields.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by Training Matters on the risks of extreme cold weather.

• Saga featured quotes from Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on the most accurate weather-predicting apps.

• Financial Times interviewed Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) about the potential benefits of using satellites and machine learning to map natural hazard risks.

• Dagens highlighted a study by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) into climate change and air turbulence. From our story: Turbulent flights to continue as warming world shakes skies

• BBC News (republished by Head Topics and World News) reported on an event on campus which brought the climate stripes-clad Envision Racing car to campus.  Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) is quoted. 

Heritage and culture:

• SLU featured research from Professor Avril Maddrell (Geography and Environmental Science) into the societal significance of cemeteries.

• Yako News mentioned a study by Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology), finding a new method of discovering fossils. From our story: Lichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones

• Times2 republished an article written in The Conversation by PhD researcher Emma Page and Dr Sophie Heywood (Languages and Culture) on the inclusion of translations in the new Children’s Booker Prize.

• #UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Reading Today reported that the University is providing funding for local charity Faith Christian Group to provide food, digital access, and accommodation for vulnerable people.

Other coverage:

• The Telegraph India listed Reading as a participant in the Loreto College Overseas Education Fair.

• InsiderMedia and Property Week quoted Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort about the University’s Loddon Garden Village project. From our story: Planning application submitted for Loddon Garden Village

• NetMums (republished by Head Topics) mentioned research into how rat populations grow so quickly.

• TVOverMind mentioned The Museum of English Rural Life’s celebration of National Dog Day.

Alumni:

• Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management graduate David Hiba has been appointed Secretary for the Ministry of Environment for the Solomon Islands National Government, reports SIBC.