Reading in the news - Mon 3 Nov
03 November 2025
Hurricane Melissa:
- Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) spoke to (republished by and ) and on the potential for storms similar to Hurricane Melissa.
- and republished an article written in by Professor Liz Stephens and Dr Alex Baker (both Meteorology).
- Comments from Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) were featured by in response to speculation over what caused the hurricane.
- Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by .
- Professor Chris Holloway (Meteorology) was quoted by .
Food and farming:
- BBC Radio Berkshire, , , , and provided further coverage of Professor Richard Bennett’s (Agriculture) 0-100 scale for animal welfare. From our story: UK shoppers would pay billions more for high-welfare meat
- mentioned research into ancient medical recipes and their effects.
- and republished an article from which quoted Professor Simon Potts (Sustainable Land Management) on how changes to farming can protect wildflowers and insects.
- , , (republished by and ) highlighted research into how bananas affect nutrient absorption in smoothies.
- reported on a study which developed high-fibre white bread.
- (republished by ) mentioned a study finding benefits to eating walnuts.
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Professor Bill Collins (Meteorology) was quoted by (republished by and ) about unexpected warming impacts from ozone recovery. From our story: Ozone will warm planet more than first thought
Business and society:
- Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) wrote for about opposition to academics at British universities.
- publishes a write-up of Dr Dominic Lees’s (FTT) keynote talk on AI in film.
- Lecturer Will Howard (Architecture) was interviewed by about freelance work.
- republished an article from which mentions research into Sharia councils in England.
- reported on research into a four-day working week, quoting Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School).
- Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) was interviewed by BBC Radio 5 about whether the UN is boring.
- Professor Adrian Palmer (Henley Business School) was quoted by on using AI to prevent store theft.
- and (republished by , , and ) quoted visiting fellow Neal Hudson (Henley Business School) about government plans to sell off affordable homes.
Heritage and culture:
- PhD researcher Emma Page and Dr Sophie Heywood (Languages and Culture) wrote for on the decision to include translations in the new Children’s Booker Prize.
- featured comments from Professor Richard Bradley (Archaeology) about a neolithic stone circle.
- Professor Jane Setter (English Language and Applied Linguistics) spoke to about an increase of Americanisms in UK children’s vocabulary.
- Daily Mirror (print) reported on a visit from Sandi Toksvig to Reading’s Cookham Abbey excavation site.
- reported on the discovery of a dinosaur fossil with preserved skin, discovered on a dig led by Dr Brian Pickles (Ecology). From our story: Fossil discovery could be rare complete dinosaur skeleton
Other coverage:
- Prospects quotes Sue Bonard, student welfare adviser, about how students can create a comfortable living space to avoid feeling homesick. Amit Pawar, who recently completed his Masters, is also quoted.
- and XFM mentioned that local band Doops performed at the student union.
- reported on a talk from Professor Bob Rastall (Food and Nutritional Sciences) about pursuing a PhD.
- highlights the University’s financial support offered to students.
Alumni:
- Ashiho A Mao, who has a PhD from Reading, is the new Vice Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, reports , , and .
- (republished by ) reported that Real Estate graduate Ellie Goring has been joined Savills as a rural surveyor.
- featured a new book about prehistoric flora from Henley Business School graduate Enrico Caneva.
- Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, wrote for and (republished by ) about South Africa’s rail industry.
- and provided an obituary for South African author Zoë Wicomb, who studied at Reading.
- reported that Rene Van Acker, who has a PhD from Reading, is the new President of the University of Guelph.
- Law graduate Zoe Hudd has been selected as a Trainee Solicitor at Boys & Maughan, reports .
- Steady Munyanyi, who has an MBA from Henley Business School, has been appointed Bishop of the Apostolic Faith Foundation Ministries, reports .
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