Reading in the news - Wed 15 Apr

Charity of the Year: ITV Meridian and Reading Today reported on the University’s Charity of the Year scheme, with quotes from Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor. From our story: Thames Valley charities can apply for University initiative

Health and wellbeing:

• MSN, BackChina, Adelaide Today, Yahoo News and various outlets republished a BBC News article which quotes Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) on a new covid variant.
• A study by Dr Tijana Blanusa (Agriculture, Policy and Development) finding mental health benefits to keeping houseplants was mentioned by Rollingout.

Food and farming:

• Cambrian News (print) reported on a study by PhD student Holly Giles (Food and Nutritional Sciences) which is 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 Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) spoke to The Reading Reporter about the University’s partnership with Formula-E team Envision Racing. The climate stripes, developed by Professor Hawkins, were also mentioned by Center for Progressive Reform as inspiration for a new book cover.
• Dr Sven Koops, the University of Reading farms manager, and Professor Richard Bennett (Agriculture) were quoted by Greatest Hits Radio (and broadcast) about how the conflict in Iran is affecting agricultural costs. From our expert comment: How Iran conflict has pushed up UK farm costs 
• Research into how solar farms impact the local vegetation was featured by PV Magazine.

Business and society:

• ABC Money highlighted research from Henley Business School into four-day working weeks.
• Tech360 quoted Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi (Biomedical Engineering) about a neuron-powered computer chip which learned to play video games.
• Dr Peter Scarfe (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) was quoted by Fortune Herald about detecting AI-generated essays.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator at the Museum of English Rural Life, spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the Museum’s new gallery trail displaying artefacts from historical activists.
• Scienmag featured an exhibition curated by Professor Sue Walker (Typography and Graphic Communications) about designer Marie Neurath. From our story: ‘Graphic designer revolutionised science for children'

Other coverage:

• Evzro, Japan News and Ilta Sanomat reported on a study by Dr Thomas Clements (Biological Sciences) about a fossil once thought to be the oldest octopus. From our story: ‘Oldest octopus’ fossil is no octopus at all, scans reveal.

Alumni:

• GovWire reported that Land Management graduate Chris Taylor, Chair of Real Estate at Federated Hermes, has been appointed non-executive director of the National Housing Bank.
• Sinch, Placera and MFN (republished by MarketScreener) reported that Jonathan Bean, who has an MBA from Henley Business School, has been appointed Executive Vice President of Sinch’s EMEA and Global Partnerships.
• Roop Singh, Chief Executive of Version 1 and Henley Business School graduate, was interviewed by The Times.