Reading in the news - Wed 23 Sep

Good Morning Reading: Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters reported live from various locations on campus, including Palmer Quad, Mojo's and the Atmospheric Observatory, as students start and return to university this week. 

Regius Professor Hannah Cloke, Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, Professor Keith Shine, and PhD students Maia Arama and Ana Arama (all Meteorology) were interviewed.  

Watch the first live segment, which includes alumna Laura Tobin presenting the climate stripes, from 06:55:56. Later live segments can be watched from 7.50, 8.20 and 9.10 via ITV X.

Meningitis B: Dr Paddy Woodman, Director of Student Services, spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and was quoted by BBC News about meningitis B vaccines being offered on campus following outbreaks in the UK earlier this year.

Heritage and culture:

• British Theatre Guide reviewed recent performances of Not I at Minghella Studios. 

Food, farming and health:

• Slurrp highlighted Professor Gunter Kuhnle’s (Food and Nutritional Sciences) The Conversation article on the history of food additives. 
• Professor Kuhnle was quoted by Science Media Centre, Daily Mail, Rayo, The Mirror and more than 50 outlets responding to the reliability of data used in a new review of studies on the impacts of ultra-processed food. 
• ITV News (from 18:08:45) and Reading Today mentioned a new test developed by Professor Jon Gibbins (Biomedical Sciences) to help doctors prescribe medicine to prevent heart attacks and strokes. From our story: Blood test picks the right drug to stop heart attacks 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) was quoted by Sky News (republished by more than 30 outlets) about the EU Ocean Science Scheme. 
• BBC Radio Berkshire highlighted the upcoming Observe the Moon Night 2026, led by Dr James O’Donoghue. From our story: Moon samples land at Reading for NASA observation night 
• Round and About mentioned research into ways to increase hedgehog activity in gardens. 
• Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) was quoted by Live Science, Bomega and WP Tech about the ongoing weather impacts from El Niño.  
• Good Men Project mentioned research into improving climate risk models. 

Business and society:

• Comments from Professor Marko Milanovic (Law) on the recent UN General Assembly were featured by 7Globe, Odisha Today and Times of India. 
• TV Over Mind highlighted research into the effectiveness of different teaching methods. 
• Professor Keiichi Nakata (Henley Business School) wrote for Business Reporter about adjusting to workplace AI use. 
• Reading Today, Thames Valley Police, Oxford Mail (print) and Bucks Herald reported on Project Vigilant, used by Thames Valley Police to keep students safe during freshers week. 

Other coverage:

• Our Today featured an upcoming talk from Professor Philip Anyanwu (Pharmacy) at the UCC Annual Research Conference.  

Alumni:

• The Buyer highlighted that Neil Palmer, Director of Vintage Roots, studied Agriculture at Reading.