Reading in the news - Mon 10 Nov
10 November 2025
Electric bees: Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology) spoke to BBC World Service Radio and BBC Radio 4 (replayed ABC News Australia and more than 50 global broadcasters) about his research into bees and electric charge.
Health and wellbeing:
- Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Science) was quoted by and on how to avoid getting ill in winter.
- Dr Hisham Al-Obaidi (Pharmacy) was quoted by on the ineffectiveness of over-the-counter decongestant, phenylephrine.
- mentioned a study from Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) on spending time alone. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
- CNFO Radio and other local US broadcasts mentioned research from Professor Ciara McCabe (Psychology) on colouring in and depression.
Food and farming:
- highlighted a study into how bananas alter nutrient absorption in smoothies.
- mentioned a research project looking into how AI can be used to make agriculture more sustainable.
- The Times (print) quoted Professor Julie Lovegrove (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on the benefits of eating more beans, peas, and lentils.
- Research which found benefits to eating walnuts was highlighted by and .
Business and society:
- , , , , Daily Mail, and others reported on evidence given by Professor Jo Phoenix (Law) at the Darlington Hospital nurses tribunal.
- Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor, was interviewed by on the benefits and risks of specialisation of universities.
- included comments from Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (SMPCS) on plans for school national curriculum reform in England, on climate education. From our expert comment: Curriculum and Assessment Review
- and highlighted Henley Business School research which found benefits to four-day working weeks.
Heritage and culture:
- , The i Paper, Daily Telegraph, Sun, and Daily Mail reported on a new airing tomorrow (Tuesday 11 Nov), in which Sandi Toksvig visits the University’s archaeological excavations at Cookham. From our story: Sandi Toksvig discovers Cookham monastery’s Hidden Wonders.
- Professor Andrew Mangham (English Literature) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the influence A Christmas Carol had on holiday traditions.
#UniForReading: our role as a civic university
- and reported on the submission of plans for the University’s Loddon Garden Village project. From our story: Planning application submitted for Loddon Garden Village
- Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor, wrote for about the importance of universities in helping regional economies with skills and jobs.
- and reported on a University-funded nutrition project for local SEND children involving Professor Kate Harvey and Natalie Ellison (both Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences). From our story: Supporting SENDfamilies through food, play and nutrition
- and feature comment from Cllr Liz Terry, the leader of Reading Borough Council, on how the University is supporting efforts to tackle climate change.
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Eme Dean-Lewis (Meteorology/) spoke to Times Radio about the upcoming COP30 summit, and its focus on deforestation.
- Dr Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) was quoted by , , , , and other outlets on climate change and Typhoon Kalmaegi. Comments from Dr Feng were also featured by , , , and other on Typhon Fung-wong.
- (republished by and ) quoted Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology) on the difficulty of predicting snow in the UK.
- , , , and and others mentioned research from Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on air turbulence. From our story: Turbulent flights to continue as warming world shakes skies
- highlighted that the University will be a location of upcoming IPCC workshops.
- Dr Jamie Thompson (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) wrote for (republished by ) about the Earth’s psychedelic plants.
- Professor Keith Shine (Meteorology) was also quoted by and on his research co-authored by Professor Laura Wilcox (Meteorology).
- Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by , , (republished by and ) and others on drought measures in the UK.
- (republished by ) featured comments from Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) about riverside flooding risks.
- reported on research from Professor Sandy Harrison (Geography and Environmental Science). From our story: How fire, climate and people shaped Africa’s landscapes.
Other coverage:
- , , , and featured research from Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology) on a method of finding dinosaur fossils. From our story: Lichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones.
- mentioned a study investigating the impact indoor plants have on air quality.
- highlighted Henley Business School’s ranking in the Corporate Knights 2025 MBA Ranking.
- featured student Shin Gyo-jun, who won The Ministry of Science and ICT competition for work on AI.
Alumni:
- mentioned that Behavioural Finance graduate Victoria Gevorkova has been appointed as a fund research analyst for Arbuthnot Latham.
- interviewed software engineer Greg Burns, who studied Computer Science and Cybernetics.
- provided a biography of Professor Alan Wild, who taught Agricultural Chemistry.
- featured Reading graduate Wilson Kwong, who is the new Director of Hong Kong Transport Services.
- (republished by ) interviewed Rashid Tar-Mahomed, Managing Executive for Vodacom South Africa and Henley Business School graduate.
- (republished by and ) published an obituary for Peter Edwards, who studied Agriculture.
- Typeface design graduate Pooja Saxena has written a new book on India’s typographical history, reports .
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