Reading in the news - Mon 10 Aug

10 August 2026

University of Reading appearing in news media including TV and radio

Get ready for drones: Dr Anna Jackman (Geography) spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about new research into the expansion of drones in towns and cities. From our story: Planners need to think ahead on drones, guidance warns

AI-designed viruses: Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences, pictured) spoke to BBC News, BBC World Service, The Independent , BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 5, Daily Mail, Euro News, Yahoo News, Newsbreak, AOL, MSN, Inkl, and more than 50 other outlets on new research using AI to generate new viruses. From our expert comment: Scientists design phage virus with AI model

Drought impacts:

Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) was quoted by Memesita about ongoing UK droughts.
Dr Jeff Da Costa (Geography and Environmental Science) spoke to BBC Wales and BBC Radio 5 about low river levels across Europe.
Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) was quoted by AccuWeather, Nine, United News, CNN, Unilad (republished by News Channel 3, Europe Says, Streamline, and MSN), and others about Europe’s water resources following recent heatwaves.

Food and farming:

Earth.com and Jurnas reported on Reading research into how reducing global warming impacts agriculture.
Cosmopolitan Indonesia highlighted research into the healthiness of dark chocolate.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

The CSR Journal, Aerospace Global News, Advance, Times of India, The Economic Times (republished by Inkl and MSN), and others mentioned research by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on climate change and air turbulence.
Dr Alba Fuertes (Construction Management) was quoted by PBC Today (republished by Hvac Now, Europe Says, and Byteseu) on risks to construction workers during heatwaves.
Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by UNI, NeWire, Assam Tribune, The Hindu, The Print, and others about ongoing floods in India.
Noah News reported on a study by Dr Rishabh Bhatt (Meteorology) on improving satellite data in weather forecasting.
India Times quoted Dr Jon Shonk (Meteorology) on risks to swimmers during thunderstorms.
Record-breaking temperatures recorded on campus were highlighted by The Observer. From our expert comment: July hottest and sunniest month in 120 years of records

Heritage and culture:

WoodKorea reported on a study by Dr Annemieke Milks (Archaeology) into 430,000-year-old wooden tools.

Other coverage:

BBC Radio Berkshire highlighted a 1976 Sex Pistols performance on Whiteknights campus.
An upcoming performance of Samuel Beckett’s Not I at Minghella Studios was featured by Irish Independent, Belfast Telegraph (print), and NewsLetter.

Alumni:

Hortweek interviewed Steve Carter, Horticulture graduate and Director of Farplants.
The Star featured Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, who received an honorary degree from the University. Professor May Tan-Mullins, Chief Executive University of Reading Malaysia, and Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor, were quoted. From our story: Queen of Malaysia awarded honorary degree
Brewers Journal featured an upcoming talk from Microbiology graduate Andy Hepworth, owner of Hepworth Brewery.
The Nation, This Day, and The Cable mentioned that Abubakar Alhaji, former Nigerian diplomat, studied at Reading.
The Independent (print, republished by Europe Says, MSN, and Newsbreak) mentioned that MP Rupert Lowe studied Estate Management.
Graduate Theekshana Jayarathna has been appointed CEO of TWC Development Management, reports ADA Derana and Business News.
The Reading Chronicle highlighted recent honorary doctorates awarded by the University. Dr Sally Lloyd-Evans (Geography and Environmental Science), Dr Ilan Dwek (Education), and Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) were quoted. From our stories: