Reading in the news - Thu 12 Feb
12 February 2026
Record-breaking rain: Reading’s record-breaking rainfall is mentioned by ITV News, BBC Radio Berkshire, and BBC Radio Northampton. From our expert comment: Rain for 31 days straight breaks records as flood risks grow.
Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) spoke to Heart Radio Berkshire, Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Science) is quoted by the , and (republished by , , and ) and Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) was quoted by (republished by and ) and spoke to (from 47:00) and (from 3:10:50).
IPCC on campus: The mentions that more than 100 climate scientists gathered on campus for IPCC workshops. interviewed Professor Sir Jim Skea, IPCC chair, on campus. From our story: Longest rain spell ever recorded as IPCC comes to campus
Food and farming:
- , , and (republished by and ) reported on a study by Professor Julie Lovegrove, Dr Rosalind Fallaize and Dr Michelle Weech (both Food and Nutritional Sciences) that uses camera glasses and other methods to help track diets. From our story: Camera glasses show diet researchers what we really eat
Health and wellbeing:
- , , and mentioned a study into how champagne can benefit heart health.
- (republished by , , and ) mentioned a study by Professor Claire Williams (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on the health benefits of blueberries. From our story: Daily blueberries for cognitive and vascular health
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Professor Ciara McCabe (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) and Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) were quoted by on their study linking depression and climate-related anxiety. From our story: Climate change fuelling anxiety in depressed young people
- quotes Professor John Methven (Meteorology) about Greenland’s ice melt.
- PhD researcher Jeff Da Costa (Geography) spoke to Radio 100,7 in Luxembourg about research on Early Warning Systems. From our story: How Luxembourg flood warnings went without action
- mentions the University’s ‘world-leading’ sustainability research.
Business and society:
- Research from Professor Federico Faloppa (Languages and Cultures) on the normalisation of hate speech was featured by and .
- and republished an article written by Professor Tim Dixon (Built Environment) in about rebuilding Gaza.
- Research from Henley Business School found young people are more likely to run independent businesses, reports .
Heritage and culture:
- quoted Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor, and Rachel Helsby, Head of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Office, on an upcoming production celebrating the University’s 100th anniversary. From our story: Campus set to become stage for centenary celebration
Alumni:
- interviewed Sarah Hazell, partner at Jones Hargreaves, who studied Building Surveying.
- Henley Business School graduate Adwoa Serwa Bondzie has been appointed Executive Secretary of The Energy Commission, reports , , , , , and other outlets.

