Reading in the news - Wed 12 Aug

All-British chocolate bar: The Guardian, Daily Mail (republished by MSN), Greatest Hits Radio, BBC Radio Berkshire, EuropeSays, WDC News, HelloRayo, SWNS and Thames Gazette reported on a chocolate bar developed by master’s student Maha Khan (pictured; Agriculture, Policy and Development) made entirely of British ingredients, also quoting Professor Carol Wagstaff, AgriFood Futures director. 

BBC Radio 4’s Today programme (listen from 1:26:37) spoke to Maha Khan and posted a clip on X of presenters Nick Robinson and Anna Foster trying the chocolate. 

Solar eclipse: 

• Professor Mike Lockwood was quoted by Reading Today on how to view the solar eclipse safely. From our story: Solar eclipse: expert explains rarity and how to view it 
• Daily Mail reported on a study on the 1999 solar eclipse and the temperature drop recorded, mentioning Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology).  

UK droughts: 

• PhD researcher Karan Ruparell (Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio 5 about ongoing UK droughts. From our expert comment: AI models show ‘devastating droughts’ unlikely to ease soon 
• Dr Jeff Da Costa (Geography) was quoted by the Independent (republished by MSN) about the link between drought and flooding. 
• Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) was quoted by The Telegraph, Irish Independent and Envirolink (republished by Yahoo News) on flood risks once the UK has rainfall. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) was quoted by Financial Times and CBC (republished by Europe Says, KamuMedya, MSN, RCI, Head Topics, and others) about the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions after global sea temperatures reached a record high for the month of July.  
• Professor Allan spoke to CNN (republished by KRDO) on droughts across Europe. 
• Professor Allan is also mentioned as a signatory of an open letter urging the government not to approve new drilling licences in the North Sea, The Times reports. 
• Travel Tomorrow and News 24 highlighted research from Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) into how extreme heat is affecting air travel. 
• Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) was also quoted by NewScientist (in print) on the impact of AI on weather forecasting.
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by DW News, Assam Tribune, and Responsible Us about the ongoing impacts in India from El Niño.  
• Dr Deoras was quoted by Times of Oman about the climate threats facing Indian monsoons.
• Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) was quoted by Envirotec about the health of UK rivers. From our expert comment: ‘Water health data shows progress is not fast enough’ 
• The Pharmacist highlighted record-breaking temperatures recorded on campus. 

Business and society:

• Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) co-wrote an article for MITSloan (republished by Tribune) on ending business ventures. 
• Professor Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School) wrote for Global Government Forum about improving government ministers’ work. 
• Dr Naeema Pasha (Henley Business School) was quoted by Esquire on differing attitudes to the workplace. 
• UK Property Forums reports on the Pathways to Property’ summer school, led by the University of Reading, Reading Real Estate Foundation and Henley Business School. Victor Nicholls, Henley Business School, is quoted. 

Heritage and culture:

• Comments from Professor Matthew Worley (History) on the cultural impact of punk music were highlighted by Shortlist. 
• Phys.org quoted Professor Mike Fulford (Archaeology) on remains found at Brading Roman Villa.   
• Arts Industry highlighted an upcoming performance of Samuel Beckett’s Not I at Minghella Studios. 

Alumni:

• Multotec Sales Engineer and Henley Business School graduate Doris Phiri was profiled by Engineering News. 
• Colombo Gazette reported that Graduate Theekshana Jayarathna has been appointed CEO of TWC Development Management. 
• Musician Folarin Falana, who studied Law at Reading, was interviewed by Independent.