Reading in the news - Mon 9 Mar
09 March 2026
Poet laureate: (Saturday) reported on a visit by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who was invited to the University after revealing his application to study meteorology was rejected 44 years ago. Dr Stephen Burt (Meteorology) gave him a tour and is quoted. From our story: Poet Laureate wanders lonely as a cloud to Reading
Blood rain: Comments from Dr Claire Ryder (Meteorology) about the Saharan dust cloud over the UK featured by the , , , , , , and others. From our expert comment: 'Blood rain' and hazy skies expected as Saharan dust hits UK
Iran: , , , , , , , (republished by , , and ) and various outlets provided comments from Professor Marko Milanovic (Law, pictured) about a US attack on an Iranian warship. Professor Milanovic spoke to (from 3:50). Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) spoke to LBC. Professor Rajneesh Narula (Henley Business School) wrote for (republished by ) about the impact geopolitical tension has on global supply chains.
From our expert comment: Iran strikes: Was targeting Iranian leaders lawful?
Health and wellbeing:
- A study by Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) was featured by . From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
- Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) was quoted by about flu-like illnesses.
- Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) was quoted by in response to an avian flu vaccine trial.
Food and farming:
- and quoted Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on health impacts of food additives.
- Reading research in the AgriSearch annual report was mentioned by and .
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) spoke to CBC Radio One about how climate change impacts air turbulence.
- Professor Stephen Belcher (Meteorology) has been reappointed Trustee of the Science Museum Group, reports .
Business and society:
- quoted Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi (Biomedical Engineering) about a neuron-powered computer chip that learned to play videogames.
- Pro-Dean of Henley Business School Africa, Linda Buckley, was quoted by , , , , and various outlets on the launch of SAB Retailer University, in partnership with Henley Business School Africa.
- reports that Marine Academy Primary pupils are benefiting from involvement in a Reading study on language learning.
- Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, wrote for and on South Africa’s unemployment crisis.
- Henley Business School research found benefits to four-day working weeks, reports .
Heritage and culture:
- , , and reported on University-funded play Glitch, which is currently touring the UK. provided a review of a recent performance.
- A study by Dr Joanna Baker (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) was reported by . From our story: Primate thumbs and brains evolved hand-in-hand
#UniForReading: our role as a civic university
- Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor, was quoted by (republished by ) on the University’s involvement in Reading’s City of Culture 2029 bid. From our story: University backs Reading’s City of Culture bid
- Professor Robert Van De Noort, Vice-Chancellor, wrote for about the University’s upcoming 100th anniversary.
- and reported on upcoming free public observatory tours taking place on campus.
- and reported on a recent community Iftar which took place in the University’s Great Hall, mentioning Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles (Geography and Environmental Science) and quoting Professor Parveen Yaqoob (Food and Nutritional Sciences). From our story: Community Iftar focuses on building trust
Other coverage:
- BBC Radio Berkshire, and reported on the inquest for international relations student Fintan Feltham, who died in Oxford in 2024.
Alumni:
- quoted Food Science graduate José Pérez on his family’s cattle farm.
- Abosede George-Ogan, Women in Leadership Advancement Network Founder, is a speaker at an event on young women’s leadership reported .
- mentioned Shirley Goh Chin in an article on gender equality in plantations.
- Chloe Laskaridi, Executive President of LAMPSA, who studied History and International Relations, was featured by and .
- Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer, NATO's inaugural CIO, was interviewed by on strategic communication.
- Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College, was quoted on leadership by , , , , and others.

