Reading in the news - Tue 6 May

US film tariffs: Professor Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre & Television) was interviewed by BBC News Channel about the impact US tariffs on overseas film production could have on the UK film industry. His comments were also aired on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC regional radio stations around the country, including BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio WM, BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Devon and many more.

VE Day: Professor Kate Williams (History) spoke to BBC 2 Radio about VE Day celebrations and what they represent. Her interview also aired on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Scotland and multiple local radio stations including: BBC Sheffield, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Radio Tees, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio Devon, BBC Radio Cornwall and many more.

Health and wellbeing:

• Dr Aidan Taylor (Biomedical Sciences) is quoted by for an article on the bacteria found on water bottles. Republished by .
• and highlight research by Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences), which found that adding bananas to smoothies can reduce flavanol absorption by up to 84%, limiting their long-term health benefits.
• reports on the link between poor diets and depression and anxiety, citing research from Reading.

Food and farming:

• Dr Jeremy Burchardt (History) spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today discussing post-WW2 dairy farming.

Heritage and culture:

• BBC Radio 4 featured Professor Kate Williams (History) discussing her new podcast, ‘Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things’.
• Dr Dina Rezk (History) spoke to BBC Radio 4 about the history of relations between Israel and the US.
• NewsNation Now and interviewed Professor Rebecca Rist (History) about the process for naming a new pope. Republished by .

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• BBC Radio 4 featured Professor David Brayshaw (Meteorology) discussing UK energy grid resilience alongside other experts, comparing systems in Spain and the UK.
• KPCC-FM Radio featured Professor Chris Merchant (Meteorology) discussing rising ocean temperatures.
• , , and feature a new study, co-led by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), about how the climate stripes can visualise warming in the oceans and the atmosphere. From our story: Climate stripes expand to show warming oceans and atmosphere.
• features research by Dr Jonny Williams (Meteorology) showing that climate change may reduce aircraft passenger capacity. From our story: Holiday flights could carry fewer passengers as world warms.
• BBC Radio Berkshire re-played an interview with Dr Jamie Thompson (Biological Sciences) on the resilience of flowering plants vs dinosaurs. From our story: Evolutionary secrets of flowering plants earn top prize.

Business and society:

• BBC Radio Berkshire featured Dr Mark Shanahan (previously at Reading), who commented on early results from local elections.
• highlights a 2023 University study, which found 47% of ‘workcations’ felt more stressed trying to balance work and leisure.
• An article about the working week in Mexico mentions a 2023 Henley Business School study, which found that UK companies trialling a four-day workweek saw a 1.4% revenue increase.
• features an opinion piece by Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, discussing the virtue of humility in leadership.

Other coverage:

• BBC Radio Berkshire highlighted an upcoming "In Conversation" event featuring Professor Helen King and her new book at the University’s Annual Chaplaincy Lecture this Thursday.
• publishes a column by the University Vice-Chancellor highlighting a number of community events happening in May, fostering connections between the campus and local communities.

Alumni:

• features author Eimear McBride, who held the inaugural Creative Fellowship at the Beckett Research Centre, 桃色视频.
• highlights Dr Hein Scheffer’s research at the University, arguing that cost-saving measures should not compromise leadership development in healthcare.
• , , and reports that Ayanda Thabethe has graduated with distinction from Henley Business School's Executive MBA programme.
• highlights Dr Andrew Tibbs, a University graduate, now leading the £30 million HMS Unicorn heritage project with a background in archaeology and public engagement.
• and feature Olivia Jenkins, a University Business Management graduate, who launched a jewellery company that earned £10 million last year.
• highlights Jennifer Yvonne Simnett, a Henley Business School PhD candidate who stood for election with Residents for Marlow and helped found the Marlow Writers’ Society.
• reports that Scott Barlow, a Chartered Surveyor and University alumnus, has been appointed as Director of Building Surveying at Whybrow.
• highlights Daniel Bwala's academic journey, noting his ongoing PhD studies at the University.
• highlights Nomvula Mabuza, a Risk Governance Specialist and MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, for her role in advancing Africa’s equitable industrial growth.