Reading in the news - Thu 30 Mar

Solar activity: Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) is quoted by the Daily Mail, The Sun, Insider, Business Insider India, Yahoo!, MSN, Benzinga, Investing, Infografis, MSN, and others on the effect that solar winds from the sun will have on Earth's magnetic field later this week. This comes as a giant hole in the sun's surface is pictured by NASA. 

Bird Flu risk: Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the Evening Standard, Wales Online, Hull Live, Ham & High, Great Yarmouth Mercury, Halesowen News, Newham Recorder, WH Times, MSN, Eastern Daily Press, and others confirming that despite recent cases of bird flu in some mammals, the risk of human infection remains low. 

UK's Climate policy analysed:Professor Chris Hilson (Law) is quoted by ITV News, Heart Radio (online), Smooth Radio (online), UK Daily News, and others recommending that the UK's climate adaption policy should be joined up with policies on mitigation. This comes as the UK government is scrutinised in the Climate Change Committee's report to Parliament. Read our news story.

Ukraine:

• The University has secured funding as part of the UK-Ukraine R&I Twinning Grants Scheme to help support Ukrainian research and innovation in the fields of rural development, food and agriculture. Dr Sarah Cardey (Agriculture, Policy, and Development) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on how the money will support staff and students at a Ukrainian university we have partnered with. Read our news story.  

Food and farming:

• Bucks Free Press mentions the University's work quantifying the benefits of farming with 100% pasture-fed cows. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Christopher Scott (Meteorology) was interviewed by BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Highlands & Islands, BBC Radio Shetland, and BBC Radio Orkney on the recent protest against using the word 'boffin' to refer to scientists and technical professionals in the media. 
• Dr Claire Ryder (Meteorology) was interviewed by BBC Radio 2 on her research on desert and mineral dust. 
• Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) is quoted by Jalopnik, Travel News, and Gizmodo on how a report he co-authored found turbulence is increasing because of climate change.
• Dr Kieran Hunt (Meteorology)is quoted by Quartz explaining the causes of heat stress as temperatures in India are predicted to rise in the coming weeks. Read our news story.
• The Reading Chronicle reports that Reading FC has ranked ninth in the 2023 EFL Sustainability Rankings for action including wearing Professor Ed Hawkins' (Meteorology) climate stripes on their kits.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• Student housing advisor, Jane Taylor was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on the need for universities to provide support as some students suffer from issues in private rental markets. 
• Reading.co.uk reports the University has been nominated in the international category of the Whatuni Choice Awards.

Other Coverage:

• Professor Mark Pagel (Biological Sciences) is quoted by TZ, Kreiszeitung, HNA, Rosenheim 24, Heidelberg 24, OP-Online, BW 24, and Merkur on theories about why humans don't have fur.
• Nation quotes experts from the University on a study which found reusable water bottles can contain a large number of bacteria.
• An article by Wonkhe names Reading as a "red-brick" university. 
• Wokingham Today reports that comedian, Russell Brand, is performing at the University's Great Hall tonight. 

Alumni:

• Fox News, Finanzen, Prepared News, PR Newswire, AP News, Yahoo!, 11 News, NBC 12, Bio Space, and others mention a report authored by University alumnus, Yunn Lim, on consumer attitudes towards MSG. 
• This Day Live and The Africa report on the career of Reading alumnus and Nigerian senate, Asuquo Ekpenyong.
• Legit reports on the appointment of Henley Business School alumna, Afolasade Olowe as the executive director at Unilever. 
• Socialist Worker publishes an obituary for Reading alumnus, Emeritus Professor Martin Upchurch.