Reading in the news - Mon 15 Sep

#SpaceStars: celebrating Reading’s stellar space science

BBC Radio Berkshire highlighted the upcoming public moon observation event being held on Whiteknights Campus, including comments from organiser Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology). From our story: Explore space with fellow stargazers on NASA moon night

Health and wellbeing:

• BBC Radio Berkshire mentioned a study which found that dyslexia research funding doesn’t match the needs of those with the condition.
• India Times featured research which found that eating walnuts at the start of the day can improve brain function. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function

Food and farming:

• Agricultural World highlighted research from the University which looked at the loss of viable land for cocoa production by 2050.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Agrinews featured research from the University which simulated the impact of climate change on global wet and dry seasons.
• Big News Network reported on Singapore’s new aviation plan, which protects passengers from severe turbulence. Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) is quoted on the dangers of increasing air turbulence, with further research mentions from Ogun Haber.
• NoahNews featured research from Dr Eugene Mohareb (Construction Management and Engineering) which looked at climate-related health risks in 30 UK cities.
• NoGeoengineering featured research from Professor Bill Collins (Meteorology) which found that ozone recovery accelerates global warming. From our story: Ozone will warm planet more than first thought

Business and society:

• The Guardian, USA News Hub, Parliament News, World News (republished by MSN, Bytefeed, AOL, Inkl, and Yahoo!News) and various other outlets featured research which found that workers felt unsupported by workplace AI use guidelines, with quotes from Professor Keiichi Nakata (Henley Business School) featured by HRReview.
• Board Agenda publishes an article on the role of dissent in high-performing boards, by Professors Andrew and Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School).
• Defimedia reported that Executive Fellow Simon Lancaster (Henley Business School) will host a workshop for the Mauritian government on communication.
• Rizospastis mentioned research from Henley Business School which found benefits to four-day working weeks.
• Global Woman Leader reported on the Huawei Women in Tech Digital Skills Training Programme, which took place at Henley Business School Africa.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Stephen Gage (Architecture) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about his guided walk centred on Reading’s Georgian architecture.
• The Reading Chronicle featured the Museum of English Rural Life’s new exhibit on Jane Austen. From our story: Jane Austen exhibits show author’s countryside connection
• The Reading Chronicle and Greatest Hits Radio (republished by Yahoo!News) provided further coverage of the construction of the Natural History Museum’s collections, research and digitisation centre, located at Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park. Professor Robert van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, is quoted. From our story: Natural History Museum breaks ground on new research centre
• 2SM Radio featured research from Dr Joanna Baker (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), which found an evolutionary link between primates’ thumbs and brain size, with further coverage from EgészségKalauz. From our story: Primate thumbs and brains evolved hand-in-hand

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Professor Robert van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, wrote for Reading Today about the University ahead of the new academic year, highlighting carbon zero plans and Reading’s academic contributions.

Other coverage:

• The Mirror, OBNews, and Wales Online (republished by MSN) reported on research from the University which found that new generations of rats carry a genetic mutation making them resistant to common poisons.
• Reading Today reported on the Readipop fiesta which took place at the University on Saturday.
• The Guardian listed Reading in their 2025 University Guide, with additional coverage from London to Live. Also see our news story: Reading shows strengths in Guardian University Guide 2026

Alumni:

• BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Star, The Standard, (republished by Yahoo!News, AOL,and MSN) and various other outlets report the deat of Jay Wynne, former BBC Weather presenter, who had a masters in Applied Meteorology from Reading.
• Kay Eldridge, collections audit assistant at BFI, has an MA in History from Reading, reports BFI.
• EyeNews reported that former Saint Lucia government minister Sir Calixte George, who has an MSc in Soil Science, is receiving an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies.
• BENews profiled associate director of Proximity, Desrine Oak, who studied Building Surveying at Reading.
• Charlie Reeve, markets editor for Farmers Weekly and Henley Business School graduate, wrote an article about the farming economic market.
• Chairman of the CLA Wiltshire branch, James Del Mar, studied at Reading, reports This is Wiltshire.
• Zawya mentioned that Manuel Almutawa, group head of fixed income asset management at SICO, has an MSc in Investment Management from Reading.
• A-Z Animals profiled their writer Rebecca Mathews, who has a Masters in Archaeology from the University.
• Alex Nicolaus, CPO for Paysend and International Management and Business graduate, was listed in the top 25 payments executives by Financial Technology Report.
• Daily Trust mentioned that Afolasade Michael-Adenuga, GED of the Mike Adenuga Group, is a Reading Law graduate.
• Building featured comments from EthosEQ managing director Colin Wood, who studied Construction Cost Management, on how he got into the surveying industry.