Reading in the news - Tue 8 Jul

Texas floods: , , ,  and The Times (in print) quote Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) about the importance of flood preparedness. Republished by  and . From our story: Texas floods - Expert comment and Texas floods: 'scale of disaster down to multiple factors'. Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) is quoted by  and  about the meteorological factors behind the Texas floods. Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme (skip to 1.40.00) and  about the flash floods, and was mentioned in The Times (in print). Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) spoke to BBC News about the difficulties of predicting flooding.

Health and wellbeing:

• Heart Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Sarah Jewell (Economics) on new research which finds that many UK workplaces fail to support mothers breastfeeding after returning to work. From our story: Study finds working mothers lack breastfeeding support.
• , , , and  quote Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) about the difficulties of observing people’s eating habits.
•  and  reports on a study from Professor Claire Williams and Dr Lynne Bell  scientists (both Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) finding that adding a handful of walnuts to breakfast can improve memory and reaction speed within days. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function.

Heritage and culture:

•  and  quotes Dr Geoff Smith (Archaeology) on a new study that found Neanderthals and were “master planners” who maximised fat resources. From our story: Neanderthals crushed animal bones to hoard fat for winter.

Food and farming:

•  reports that the University has received the highest possible Fairtrade Award. From our story: Reading achieves highest Fairtrade award

Business and society:

•  reports that Professor Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School) will lead a four-day work week study in Portugal.
•  mentions Henley Business School's partnership with ENVISIA to offer a Postgraduate Certificate in Board Practice and Directorship.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• The University supported a consultation workshop on human-snake conflict management, reports   and .
• , ,  and  quote Dr Pete Inness (Meteorology) on why Germany experienced extreme hail during a heatwave.
•  quotes Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on the significance of Solar Orbiter’s first-ever images of the Sun’s south pole.
•  reports that ONERA will coordinate the UNIC project, which includes partners such as the University, to better understand non-CO2 emissions from the aviation sector.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

•  publishes a column from Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van De Noort about the University’s centenary.

Other coverage:

•  profiles the career of Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles (Geography), who was recently appointed Mayor of Reading.
•  reports that the University participated in Richard Huish College’s second CareerFest.
•  reports Dr Natthapoj Trakulphadetkrai (Institute of Education) helped organise Doncaster’s first Maths Through Stories competition.
•  reports that the Orbit Footbridge in central Reading, a key route for students, is set to undergo important refurbishment and repair works.
•  reports that a crew of Leander Club and University rowers were defeated by Hollandia Rowing Club 'A' in the final of the Town Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.  also reports on student Daisy Bellamy’s participation in GB women’s fours crew at the World Cup series.

Alumni:

•  reports that Dr Esmeralda Cruz Silva studied for their doctorate at the University.
•  highlights Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, an MBA candidate at Henley Business School.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Mike Murray, from Thames Valley Archaeological Services, who studied for his masters at the University.
• The Echo (Basildon) (in print) features Modest Marion, who led teams on expeditions to Snowdonia and the Alps.