Reading in the news - Tue 7 Apr

Artemis II: Professor Mike Lockwood (Meteorology) was quoted by Newsweek (republished by MSN) about NASA’s Artemis mission and the risk of unregulated space activity. From our expert comment: 'Artemis mission cannot lead to interplanetary Wild West’ 

Protecting global chocolate: Dr Andrew Daymond (Crop Science) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about research protecting cocoa plants from pests and disease. BBC News provided additional coverage.

Iran conflict: Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) was quoted by New York Times, France24, AP News, Daily Mail, PBS News, (republished by Yahoo News, MSN, Head Topics, and AOL) and more than 100 global outlets about the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.  Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) was also listed as a signatory by Just Security, Sri Lanka Brief, TVXS, and The Wire (republished by Europe Says and Digitpatrox) of a letter on potential international law violations by the US and Israel in Iran. Professor Marko Milanovic (Law) was quoted by News USA on the legality of targeting nuclear power plants during air strikes.

Health and wellbeing:

• BBC News, Medical Insider, La Stampa, Huffington Post, The Microbiologist, Salute, (republished by Yahoo News and Head Topics) and other global outlets provided further coverage of research which found a more effective way to treat UTI’s, mentioning Dr Oliver Hancox, CEO of University-founded company Astratus. From our story: Rapid urine test could select UTI antibiotics within hours 
• A study by Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) which found benefits to spending time alone was mentioned by Mojeh. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was quoted by The I Paper (republished by MSN, AlongWalker, and Press Bee) about if dark chocolate is good for you. 
• Professor Julie Lovegrove (Food and Nutriional Sciences) was quoted by Daily Record, Surrey Live, Cambridgeshire Live, Belfast Live, OK! (republished by MSN and Head Topics) and other outlets about the benefits of eating apples daily. 
• PhD student Holly Giles (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was quoted by MedIndia about her research into improving the taste of protein shakes. From our story: Your post-gym protein shake may get a taste upgrade 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) and Professor Chris Hilson (Law) were among signatories of a letter featured by the Financial Times warning against new North Sea drilling. Further coverage from Scottish Business News and No2 Nuclear Power. 
• A study co-authored by Dr Jamie Thompson (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) which led to the creation of a cactus biodiversity database was mentioned by the University of Bath and Actus.  
• The Reading Chronicle, Scienmag, Wokingham Today, Reading Today, EurekAlert, and various outlets reported on a new book from Dr Stephen Burt (Meteorology) which compiles two centuries of weather observations in Reading. From our story: Reading’s weather history retold in new book 
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by Impakter and Labor Network for Sustainability about black rain in Iran following recent air strikes. Dr Deoras also spoke to Newshour about the risks of nuclear reactors being hit during the air strikes. 
• Research into the economic impact climate change can have on the UK was featured by Ethical Marketing News. 
• Jon Foster-Pedley (Henley Business School Africa) wrote for Leader about taking effective global climate action, mentioning climate stripes developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology). 
• Military Aerospace Electronics reported on a study by Professor Nicolas Bellouin (Meteorology) on how plane contrails affect climate change. From our story: Contrailsensors aim to cut aviation's climate impact 

Food and farming:

• EurekAlert, SeedQuest, Agropages, and Phys.org featured a study into producing wheat with reduced levels of asparagine, a toxic compound. 

Business and society:

• Reuters, The Business Times, and The Standard (republished by Fidelity, Deccan Herald, GoldFM, Business Line, BDNews24, and other outlets) quoted Dr Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre, and Television) about AI use in India’s film industry. 
• Dr Tahir Mahmood Azad (Politics and International Relations) was quoted by TRT World about a viral video regarding the US-Israel conflict with Iran. 
• Dr Florence Phua (Construction Management and Engineering) was quoted by RICS on how degree apprenticeships can be improved. 

Heritage and culture:

• Visit Reading and Newbury Today featured University-produced play Glitch, mentioning Dr Elizabeth Conaghan (Law) and quoting Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort. 
• Dr Dylan James (Classics) will lead a talk at the upcoming War in the Ancient World International Conference 2026, reports HsozKult.  
• The Past reported on the upcoming Post-Medieval Archaeology Congress, mentioning Kate Arnold-Forster, Director of the Museum of English Rural Life.  
• Dr Helen Parish (History) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the history of Easter Monday traditions. 
• Professor Sue Walker (Typography and Graphic Communications) was mentioned by Bologna Today and DeArtes regarding an upcoming books and illustration festival.  
• BBC Radio Three Counties highlighted Professor Gabor Thomas’s (Archaeology) excavation of the Marlow Warlord burial. 
• Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, wrote for Reading Today about how charity and the local donors helped found the University. 

Other coverage:

• Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, was quoted by Reading Today on the University’s achievements in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. From our story: Agriculture top in UK in QS subject rankings 2026 
• Research into how natural ventilation benefits houses was mentioned by Economic Times. 
• Reading Today and Wokingham Today highlighted Easter and spring exhibitions at The Museum of English Rural Life. 
• Specification Online and Building Talk mentioned that student Ahmed Gilani will be taking part in the Futurebuild 2026 panel discussion. 
• Economic Times (republished by MSN) mentioned a study which found poor ventilation affects the odour of bathrooms. 
• Billah Qureshi, head of employer engagement, was quoted by Prospects on the benefits of attending career fairs. 

Alumni:

• Brand Icon, Channels, New Telegraph, Prompt News, Real News, and various global outlets reported that Adeleye Falade, who has an MBA from Henley Business School, has been appointed CEO of NLNG. 
• Program Executive at IMB Marco Brenner, Henley Business School graduate, was interviewed by BFH about quantum computing. 
• Pharmacy Business interviewed Yasser Abboud, who studied Pharmacy, about his career. 
• Artist and Reading graduate Milica Tičerić was interviewed by Artit about her work. 
• Eleni Tsiplakou, Dean of the School of Animal Sciences at the Agricultural University of Athens, has been announced a member of the Hellenic Agricultural Academy, reports Kalimera. 
• CHRO South Africa reported that Henley Business School graduate Patience Mathebula-Okoruwa has been appointed HR Director of Accenture. 
• Roselyn Unegbu, Thames Water’s delivery director for non-infrastructure and Henley Business School graduate, was interviewed by Construction Management. 
• CERA reported on an upcoming exhibition from Artist and Reading graduate Niya Pushkarova. 
• PhileNews mentioned that Nick Candy, Treasurer for Reform, studied Geography at Reading. 
• BookPress highlighted a new novel from Reading graduate and Author Elena Maroutsou.