Reading in the news - Mon 9 Mar

Poet laureate: The Times (Saturday) reported on a visit by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who was invited to the University after revealing his application to study meteorology was rejected 44 years ago. Dr Stephen Burt (Meteorology) gave him a tour and is quoted. From our story: Poet Laureate wanders lonely as a cloud to Reading

Blood rain: Comments from Dr Claire Ryder (Meteorology) about the Saharan dust cloud over the UK featured by the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Clacton Gazette, Daily Gazette, Maldon Standard, Halstead Gazette, and others. From our expert comment: 'Blood rain' and hazy skies expected as Saharan dust hits UK

Iran: Huffington Post, The Week, Daily Mail, The Independent, Bastille Post, WDIO, Newsweek, The Standard (republished by Yahoo News, Inkl, and MSN) and various outlets provided comments from Professor Marko Milanovic (Law, pictured) about a US attack on an Iranian warship. Professor Milanovic spoke to DW News (from 3:50). Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) spoke to LBC. Professor Rajneesh Narula (Henley Business School) wrote for BusinessDay (republished by Head Topics) about the impact geopolitical tension has on global supply chains.

From our expert comment: Iran strikes: Was targeting Iranian leaders lawful? 

Health and wellbeing:

• A study by Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) was featured by YourTango. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
• Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) was quoted by Pensionist about flu-like illnesses.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) was quoted by Science Media Centre in response to an avian flu vaccine trial.

Food and farming:

• Taznord Hamburg and DHN quoted Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on health impacts of food additives.
• Reading research in the AgriSearch annual report was mentioned by Farming Life and MSN.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) spoke to CBC Radio One about how climate change impacts air turbulence.
• Professor Stephen Belcher (Meteorology) has been reappointed Trustee of the Science Museum Group, reports The London Weekly.

Business and society:

• Europe Central Station quoted Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi (Biomedical Engineering) about a neuron-powered computer chip that learned to play videogames.
• Pro-Dean of Henley Business School Africa, Linda Buckley, was quoted by Social TV, Prime News Africa, Startup Mag, Gauteng News, and various outlets on the launch of SAB Retailer University, in partnership with Henley Business School Africa.
• Devon Today reports that Marine Academy Primary pupils are benefiting from involvement in a Reading study on language learning.
• Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, wrote for IOL and Business Report on South Africa’s unemployment crisis.
• Henley Business School research found benefits to four-day working weeks, reports Archyworldys.

Heritage and culture:

• Europe Says, Your Harrowgate, and Law Gazette reported on University-funded play Glitch, which is currently touring the UK. Theatre and Tonic provided a review of a recent performance.
• A study by Dr Joanna Baker (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) was reported by DV. From our story: Primate thumbs and brains evolved hand-in-hand

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor, was quoted by Reading Chronicle (republished by MSN) on the University’s involvement in Reading’s City of Culture 2029 bid. From our story: University backs Reading’s City of Culture bid
• Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor, wrote for Reading Today about the University’s upcoming 100^th anniversary.
• Reading Today and Wokingham Today reported on upcoming free public observatory tours taking place on campus.
• The Southern Gazette and Reading Today reported on a recent community Iftar which took place in the University’s Great Hall, mentioning Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles (Geography and Environmental Science) and quoting Professor Parveen Yaqoob (Food and Nutritional Sciences). From our story: Community Iftar focuses on building trust

Other coverage:

• BBC Radio Berkshire, Daily Mail and This is Money reported on the inquest for international relations student Fintan Feltham, who died in Oxford in 2024.

Alumni:

• Ayer and Hoy quoted Food Science graduate José Pérez on his family’s cattle farm.
• Abosede George-Ogan, Women in Leadership Advancement Network Founder, is a speaker at an event on young women’s leadership reported EEAS.
• Borneo Post mentioned Shirley Goh Chin in an article on gender equality in plantations.
• Chloe Laskaridi, Executive President of LAMPSA, who studied History and International Relations, was featured by Tourism Today and Democratic News.
• Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer, NATO's inaugural CIO, was interviewed by CIO News on strategic communication.
• Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College, was quoted on leadership by Cornwall Live, Plymouth Live, Devon Live, Gloucestershire Live, and others.