Reading in the news - Fri 16 Jan

Dark chocolate: Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences, pictured) featured in an episode of BBC 4’s Sliced Bread, discussing the potential benefits and risks of eating dark chocolate. Professor Kuhnle also spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire on the topic.

Food and farming:

• Saga highlighted research into the benefits of consuming sourdough bread. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Environmental Journal, Seed Daily, Forschung Wissen, Scine, and DerStandard provided further quotes from Professor Emily Black (Meteorology) about climate change and crop droughts. Professor Black wrote a blog for Research Communities. From our story: Europe’s crop droughts to get worse even as rain increases 
• Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce reported on changes to climate stripes developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) after 2025 was recorded as the third hottest year on record. From our story: 2025’s dark red stripe represents Earth’s third-warmest year 

Heritage and culture: 

• Reading Today reports on student production, ‘The Sound’, that explores how Caribbean music and culture transformed Reading. Dr Lucy Tyler (FTT) is quoted. From our story: Immersive show explores town’s role in soundsystem culture 

Business and society: 

• Times Higher Education reports on research co-authored by Dr Anna Jackman (Geography) that found academic staff on short-term contracts favour “safer” work in order to secure future employment. 
• Dr Anna Jackman (Geography) wrote for PoliticsHome’s The House on the rise of consumer drones.  

#UniForReading: Our role as a civic university

• Reading Today mentions that the University of Reading is a pop-up location for warm clothes donations. 

Alumni:

• Reading graduate Isabel Smith was quoted by Condé Nast Traveller on climate change and air turbulence. 
• DC News (republished by DC Business) interviewed Tinu Sebeșanu, Henley Business School graduate and CEO of IMPACT Developer & Contractor.