Reading in the news - Mon 9 Feb

Four-day week: Dr Melissa Carr (Henley Business School) was featured on BBC One’s Politics South (replayed by BBC Radio Berkshire) and quoted by BBC News (republished by AOL and Yahoo News) about four-day working weeks. 

Rainfall record: Further coverage of the longest consecutive rainfall ever recorded at the University: BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Liz Bentley (Meteorology), with further mentions by The Times, Sky News (replayed by LBC) and quotes from Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Science) and Dr Stephen Burt (Meteorology) included in The Reading Chronicle. From our story: Longest rain spell ever recorded as IPCC comes to campus

Health and wellbeing:

• BBC World Service (replayed by over 50 global radio stations) mentioned research led by Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) into balancing solitude and socialisation.
• Electrek quoted Professor Carien Van Reekum (Psychology) on the benefits of using e-bikes.
• Dr Alastair Culham (Ecology) was quoted by BBC News (republished by Yahoo News and AOL) about the dangers of poisonous plant hemlock water dropwort.

Food and farming:

• Coverage of a new trial led by the University looking at how wearable technology can help accurately track people’s diets in Cambrian News, Wales 247, Powys County Times and Deeside. From our story: Camera glasses show diet researchers what we really eat
• Dr Andreas Karatzas (Food and Nutritional Sciences) was quoted by Vijesti and Time News on the risks of washing raw chicken.
• Etece highlighted research into how bananas affect nutrient absorption in smoothies.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) was quoted by The Telegraph (republished by MSN and Yahoo News) about the risks of eating illegally imported meat.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Episode 2 of Channel 5 documentary Britain's Worst Weather Disasters featured Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) and Reading alumna Laura Tobin, discussing UK heatwaves and floods. 
• SFGate, Veb.it and Hoodline (republished by Yahoo News) highlighted a study by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on climate change and air turbulence. From our story: Turbulent flights to continue as warming world shakes skies
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Yahoo News, Tolerance, Uzbekistan News, Inkl and Turkmenistan News) on diverse voices in the UN’s climate science body, highlighting upcoming IPCC workshops taking place on campus. BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) on the same topic. From our story: Major IPCC workshops bring diverse climate voices to Reading
• Houston Chronicle (republished by Yahoo News) quoted Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) on 2025 being the third hottest year on record. From our story: 2025’s dark red stripe represents Earth’s third-warmest year
• Jeff Da Costa (Geography and Environmental Sciences) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Tolerance) about extreme weather warnings and Luxembourg’s large-scale flooding in 2021. From our story: How Luxembourg flood warnings went without action 
• Sri Lanka Mirror and Hindustan Times (republished by HT Syndication) included comments from Dr Kieran Hunt (Meteorology) on recent reduced snowfall in the Himalayas.

Business and society:

• Professor Emese Lazar (Henley Business School) wrote for LBC about UK youth unemployment, also speaking to LBC Radio on the topic.
• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) was quoted by Ends Report on public nuisance and environmental litigation.
• Dr Chris Dalton (Henley Business School) wrote for Management Today on business transformation strategy.
• An article in The Conversation (republished by Yahoo News, Inkl, MSN, Uzbekistan News, Massachusetts Sun, Turkmenistan News and other outlets) quoted Emeritus Professor Tim Dixon (Built Environment) on plans to rebuild Gaza.
• Emeritus Professor Neil Crosby (Henley Business School) wrote for RICS about changes to global banking rules.
• SecureBlitz mentioned a study into detecting AI in student essays.

Heritage and culture:

• The Wall Street Journal featured a review of a book from Dr Alanna Skuse (English Literature) about medicine in Renaissance England. From our story: Book reveals Renaissance England's medical revolution
• A study by Dr Annemieke Milks (Archaeology) on prehistoric wooden tools was featured by Fox News and World Travel Blog (republished by AOL, Stock Updates Now, New York Post, DNYUZ and Halla Back). From our story: Earliest evidence of wooden tools used by humans
• Reading Borough Council reported that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded almost £250,000 to the Cookham Abbey Connects project. From our story: Ancient abbey’s secrets to be shared thanks to major grant. 
• Research from Dr Rebecca Pitt (Archaeology) about health during Britain’s Roman occupation was featured by Earth.com.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Helen Parish (History) on the history behind why people drive on the left in the UK.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• BBC Radio Berkshire mentioned the University-led women’s running scheme Let’s Lift the Curfew. From our story: Women’s running scheme brightens up winter evenings

Other coverage:

• After School Africa listed Reading as one of the top 15 universities in the UK with the best campus life.

Alumni:

• Henley Business School graduate Charlie Reeve wrote for Farmers Weekly about lambing.
• Wokingham Today mentioned that singer Ian Westley, who studied at Reading, will be performing at an upcoming charity concert at Earley St Peter’s Church.
• Art Daily reported on a new exhibition from artist Cornelia Parker, Fine Art graduate.