Reading in the news - Thu 26 Mar

Health and wellbeing:

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) spoke to Saga on the meningitis outbreak. From our expert comment: Meningitis outbreak
• StartHome, Trill, DMenu News and Nifty mentioned research from Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) into spending time alone. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing

Food and farming:

• Farmers Weekly highlighted a study into increasing fat and protein content in cow’s milk.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Dr Jamie Thompson (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) was quoted by Phys.org, EurekAlert, Newsbreak and Mirage News on his research creating a cactus database to aid conservation, with other mentions in Scienmag.
• Discover Wildlife and Khoa Hoc featured a study from Dr Matt Greenwell (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) on colour-changing katydids. From our story: Bright pink insect stands out to blend in, scientists say
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) was quoted by RNA News and Earth.org about how recent air strikes in Iran have caused acid rain.

Business and society:

• Times Radio featured comments from Dr Naomi Lott (Law) about a proposed social media ban for under 16s.
• Research from Professor Marcello Mariani (Henley Business School) into perceptions of workplace reviews was featured by AACSB.
• Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi (Biomedical Engineering) was quoted by KTAL News (republished by Yahoo News) about a neuron-powered computer chip learning to play video games.

Heritage and culture:

• The Reading Chronicle highlighted the University and Museum of English Rural Life as part of Reading’s bid to be the city of culture 2029.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• BBC Radio Berkshire provided further coverage of free weekly storybook and play sessions run by researchers from the Institute of Education. From our story: Storybook sessions seek crowdfunding support for summer

Other coverage:

• Sohu reported that Reading was featured in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, including six subjects in the global top 100. From our story: Agriculture top in UK in QS subject rankings 2026
• Gemma Ashton, who is studying clinical psychology, was mentioned by Newbury Today after taking part in the Reading half marathon.

Alumni:

• Gov.br highlighted a talk from Simone Sievert, Reading graduate and Meteorology professor, on solar radiation detection.