Reading in the news - Mon 9 Mar

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 100^th 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.