Reading in the news - Mon 22 Sep

#SpaceStars: celebrating Reading’s stellar space science

Comments from Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) about photos of Jupiter taken for a NASA mission were featured by BBC News, Fooshya, Maldankon, and BBC Radio Berkshire (republished by World News and AOL). BBC Radio 2, BBC Tees and various other local BBC radio outlets provided further coverage. From our story: Jupiter pictures directed from Reading for NASA mission

Rankings: The Times and The Sunday Times (print) profiled the University, highlighting its environmental sustainability efforts and scholarships after being named University of the Year for Scholarships. From our story: Reading named University of the Year for Scholarships 2026

Health and wellbeing:

• Greatest Hits Radio and BBC Radio Berkshire reported on research from Professor Carol Wagstaff (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on the benefits to community engagement in developing health and food policy. From our story: Food reform led by residents provides real health benefits
• Greatest Hits Berkshire mentioned research from Professor Julie Lovegrove (Food and Nutritional Sciences), finding British diets lack fibre. From our story: Getting fibre into British diets will take teamwork and guts
• Perfect Weekend and EuroNews (republished by Lumi, Newswav, and MSN) quoted Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) about processed meat consumption.
• Health featured comments from PhD student Hind Mesfer S. Alkhudaydi (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on blood sugar level benefits from consuming raspberry leaf tea.
• BBC Radio Gloucester and other regional BBC broadcasts interviewed Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology and Clinical Language Science) on her study which found benefits to intentional alone time. All Work and Kompasiana provided further coverage. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
• MSN republished an article from Good Housekeeping, reporting on a study which found consuming walnuts improves brain function. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function
• RTV highlighted the University’s ongoing Alzheimer’s prevention research collaboration with the University of San Marino.

Food and farming:

• TheyWorkForYou featured comments from MP Mary Creagh, who mentioned research which found the estimated value of insect pollinators for UK crops to be around £630 million.
• Yahoo!News republished an article from TCD which features comments from Professor Richard Ellis (Crop Science) about climate change causing the current UK hay shortage.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by India Today and Merah Putih (republished by Daily Hunt) on the 2025 European heatwave death toll.
• Phillipines News Digest highlighted research from Professor Bill Collins (Meteorology) which found unexpected warming impacts from ozone. From our story: Ozone will warm planet more than first thought

Business and society:

• BBC Radio Berkshire featured comments from Dr Derek Bolton (Politics and International Relations) about President Trump’s recent UK visit.
• Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) is quoted by Stars and Stripes about conflict between the Trump Administration and the Mexican cartel, with radio coverage from KUT, CMU Public Radio, Michigan Radio, and other US broadcasts.
• Visiting Fellow Dr Keith Arundale (Henley Business School) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and Oxford about the Tech Prosperity Deal.
• Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) was interviewed by France24 (republished by WhatFinger) about the UK recognising a Palestinian state.
• Heritage and culture:
• Professor Helen Parish (History) spoke to BBC Radio Solent and Oxford about the autumn equinox.
• Intrieste listed Reading as a partner for an exhibition dedicated to J.R.R Tolkien.
• YAC featured members of the Young Archaeologists’ Club who visited the Cookham Abbey excavation.
• The Art Investor highlighted artwork from The Museum of English Rural Life will be included in an exhibition in St Barbe Museum.

Other coverage:

• The Star, NST, Newswav, Astrowani, Head Topics (republished by Lumi) and various other outlets mentioned a careers fair held at University of Reading Malaysia.
• TVS and Edisi Viral reported that Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari, visited Henley Business School.
• Trinity Mirror listed Reading as a collaborator with Bennett University, India.

Alumni:

• The Telegraph (republished by AOL) mentioned the passing of tennis player Ivan Ronaldson, who studied Economics and Accounting.
• The Drum featured an interview with Celina Shi, CMO for OnePlus, who has an MBA from Henley Business School.
• Fred Conijn, Managing Consultant and Henley Business School graduate, wrote for CFO about organisations using technology to explore trends.
• The Guardian Nigeria interviewed CEO of TecTerminal Nnedinma Obioha, who studied Accounting at Reading.
• The Telegraph (print) mentioned that Entrepreneur Ann Kaplan Mulholland is gaining a Masters of Science and Doctorate at Reading.
• Daily News, Lidea, and Khaosod (republished by Line Today) mentioned Business Management graduate Ang-Supattra Manaying.
• Reading Today mentioned that Lichfields planner Mariam Ahmed studied Human Geography and has an MSc in Spatial Planning and Development.
• Suggest reported on the death of former BBC Weather presenter Jay Wynne, who had a masters in Applied Meteorology.
• Tripura Star News, APN, and PNI reported on a book by M.Tech graduate and author Sharmishtha Shenoy.
• LondonTV featured the reuniting of two Geography and European History graduates, in their 80s.
• Dr. Jatinder Mann, Director of South Asian Research at University of the Fraser Valley, has a Masters of Law, reports Fraser Valley Today.
• Vietnam Finance mentioned that model Ha Anh studied Business Management.