Reading in the news - Fri 19 Sep

University of the year for scholarships:

The Times and The Sunday Times listed Reading as University of the Year for Scholarships and Bursaries 2026, with additional coverage from Wales Online, Oxford Mail, Reading Chronicle, Daily Record (republished by Yahoo!News) and other outlets. From our story: Reading named University of the Year for Scholarships 2026

#SpaceStars: celebrating Reading’s stellar space science

• Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire about photos of Jupiter he’s taken for a NASA mission. From our story: Jupiter pictures directed from Reading for NASA mission

Healthy diets: 

• Time News and MedicalXpress (republished by MSN and Rama Healthcare) provided further coverage of research from Professor Carol Wagstaff (Food and Nutritional Sciences) and Whitley residents, finding that health and food policy changes benefit from community engagement. From our story: Food reform led by residents provides real health benefits 

Health and wellbeing:

• Nutraingredients highlighted research that found differences in how prebiotics affect people, depending on weight.

Food and farming:

• Economics Observatory summarised an article written by Professor John Martin (History) about the history of British farming and its economic role.
• TCD included comments from Professor Richard Ellis (Crop Science) about climate change and the current UK hay shortage.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by University Herald, Guy on Climate, Nestia, and Tuổi Trẻ on the death toll from the 2025 European heatwave.
• The famous climate stripes image produced by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) was featured by Smashing Magazine.
• Pique News featured quotes from Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) on how climate change influenced the recent extreme floods in India. 

Business and society:

• Times Higher Education included quotes from Dr Caroline Baylon, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International), about a proposed tax on international student fees.
• NFRC featured an ongoing study into contract management in the housing industry.
• Comments from Dr Derek Bolton (Politics and International Relations) were featured by BBC Radio Berkshire on Trumps recent UK visit.
• Professor Adrian Palmer (Henley Business School) is quoted by Metro about how Bodycare went into administration.

Other coverage:

• Daily Gazette (republished by Ground News) reported that student Kamana Gurung received the new Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship.
• Reading Today reported on a performance by local band, The Amazons, which took place at the recent Readipop festival on Whiteknights campus.

Alumni:

• An event showing the latest film from Larisa Crunţeanu, artist and Reading graduate, is featured by Amos News.
• London World (republished by MSN) reported on the reuniting of two Geography and European History graduates, in their 80s.
• New CPO for UNiDAYS Mona Akiki has a Coaching Certification from Henley Business School, reports ECommerce and CMOTech.