Reading in the news - Mon 22 Dec

Step into Christmas: Professor Andrew Mangham (English Literature) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire, discussing the inspiration for Dickens's Scrooge. BBC Radio Berkshire (replayed by other local BBC stations) also aired a Christmas performance from the University choir

Health and wellbeing:

• , , and  (republished by ) quoted Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) on a new flu strain. 
• Dr Tijana Blanusa (Agriculture, Policy, and Development) spoke to BBC Radio 4 about her study into the benefits of keeping houseplants. From our story: Attractive houseplants give biggest well-being boost 

Food and farming:

•  highlighted research into the benefits of eating blueberries. 
• Professor Richard Ellis (Crop Science) was quoted by The Sunday Express (print) on the growth of vineyards in the UK. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

•  and  reported on research by Professor Nigel Arnell (Meteorology) on the potential extreme climate impacts facing the UK. From our story: UK’s worst-case climate risks laid bare for lawmakers  
• Dr Claire Ryder (Meteorology) was quoted by  on the cause of pink fog. 
• PhD researcher Flynn Ames (Meteorology) wrote for  (republished by ) about Saturn’s moon, Enceladus. 
•  featured climate stripes developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology). 
•  mentioned Professor Liz Stephens, Dr Alex Baker and Dr Akshay Deoras (all Meteorology) in their roundup from 2025. 
•  quoted Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology) on cloud seeding in the United Arab Emirates. 
• The Press (print) provided further quotes from Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on York’s flood defences.   

Business and society:

•  featured a study by Dr Katie Gray (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on detecting AI faces. From our story: Five minutes of training could help you spot fake AI faces 
• Visiting Fellow Neal Hudson (Henley Business School) was quoted by  (republished by ,  ) on government plans to boost homeownership. 
• Dr Yang Ding and Dr Xuchang Chen (both Henley Business School) wrote an article in  (republished by ) on fast fashion. With further mentions in .  

Heritage and culture:

•  and  reported on a study co-authored by Professor Hella Eckardt (Archaeology) on the origins of a skeleton found in southern England. From our story: Roman-era ‘Beachy Head Woman’ originated from southern UK 

Alumni:

•  (republished by ) featured journalist Phil Creighton, Typography and Graphic Communication graduate, who received an honorary degree from the University. From our story: Local journalism value celebrated with honorary 
•  mentioned that Leye Falade, Henley Business School graduate, is the next Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas. 
•  (republished by ) quoted Reform’s honorary treasurer and Reading graduate Nick Candy. 
• Business and Economics graduate, Phaedros Pantelides, wrote for  on GDP rates across Christmas. 
• Land Management graduate Aled Jones has been appointed Pro-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, reports . 
• Claire Ankers, principal of Bideford College and Reading graduate, was profiled by .