Reading in the news - Tue 29 Apr

Spanish blackouts: The Sun, , and report comments by Professor Jacopo Torriti (Built Environment) on the blackouts in Spain. and  quote Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) on radio and its use in power cuts.

Culture and heritage:

• , , Greatest Hits Radio,  and  showcase findings of a report published today by Dr Andrew Philip and Professor Lisa Purse (Film, Theatre and Television) on freelancers in the UK film and TV industry. From our story: Freelancer exodus from film and TV threatens UK growth.
• A BBC Radio 4 documentary about links between the US and Israel, Indispensable Relations, features interviews with Dr Dina Rezk (History).
• ITV News Meridian reports on a project between Schools of Agriculture and Archaeology to study ancient tools to harvest cocoa. Includes interviews with Professor Katie Sampeck (Archaeology) and students.
•  and other Fox News affiliates repeat an interview with Professor Rebecca Rist (History) explaining the conclave process following Pope Francis’s death. From our expert comment: Pope Francis: His legacy and what happens next. 

Food and farming:

• Dr Charlotte Howard’s (Agriculture) research on boosting farm biodiversity features in  , , , , , , , , and . From our story: Flower strips could save apple farmers pest control costs.
•  on baby food pouches included processes demonstrated at Reading’s Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences.
• iNews (via features comments from Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on ultra-processed food.
•  highlights a Reading study on milk yields and herd composition.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• and  report on a study by Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) on higher global temperatures in 2023 and 2024.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Jamie Thompson (Biological Sciences) on the resilience of flowering plants vs dinosaurs. From our story: Evolutionary secrets of flowering plants earn top prize
•  features Department of Chemistry research by Matthew Hyder on degradable adhesives. From our story: Plastic bottles easier to recycle with new degradable glue
• BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Environmental Sciences) on household water usage in the current dry spell.

Health and wellbeing:

• Daily Mail (in print) quotes Professor Stella Chan (Psychology) on a study about causes of depression.
• , ,  and  feature comments from Professor Derek Clements-Croome (Construction Management and Engineering) on how work breaks boost productivity.

#UniForReading:

•  and  showcase a family event at the University’s Atmospheric Observatory.
•  reports that the Reading Guild of Artists will host its annual exhibition at the University.

Other coverage:

•  reflects on a landmark Polic Exchange report on social housing by the late Professor Alan Evans (Economics).
•  highlights James Bonner, a Reading student, who is running as a local election candidate for the Monster Raving Loony Party. James’s policies include fixing potholes by planting pot plants in them.
•  features the University’s final year Accounting & Business students as finalist for Student Body of the Year at their awards.

Alumni:

•  obituary celebrates the life of artist and designer Julia Ball, who studied art at Reading. Republished by , , and .
• , , and other US titles feature retired USAF Colonel Kim Campbell, a graduate in International Security Studies, as part of a book panel.
• reports that Henley Business School PhD graduate Jennifer Simnett is an election candidate for Marlow Town Council.
• highlights Fred Conijn RA, managing consultant at DynamicControl.NL, a 2014 Henley Business School graduate.
• Warehouse & Logistics News (in print) highlights that Jamie McKean, a Reading law graduate, is now Policy Adviser on Sustainable Logistics at BIFA.
• NYU Local and feature crime novelist Peter Lovesey, who graduated from Reading after studying Art and English.
•  and  report Daniel Naftali, a Henley Business School graduate, is a new portfolio manager for Fondul Proprietatea.