Reading in the news - Thu 12 Dec

Secret to happiness: Medical Xpress reports on a study led by Dr Julia Vogt (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) which suggests that simple social actions, like sending a text message to a friend, could be the secret to happiness. From our story: Sending a supportive text could be key to daily happiness

Health and wellbeing:

• Ingredients Network and MyLondon quotes Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on the rigorous testing of additives used in farming.
• ScienceAlert mentions research by Dr Alejandra Perotti (Biological Sciences) explaining that skin mites have developed unique gene arrangements due to adapting to life in human pores. Republished by Yahoo News.

Business and society:

• ITV 1 Meridian Thames Valley and RDG Today highlights University plans to expand scholarships for student refugees. From our story: Refugee scholarships offering enhanced at University
• Business & Human Rights Resource Centre publishes an article by Professor David Bilchitz (Law) on a binding treaty on business and human rights.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Daily Mail and Daily Star quotes Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) about understanding dangerous weather warnings. Republished by MSN and En mogaznews
• Thames Valley Chamber features the news that the University of Reading has achieved joint 42nd place globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025. From our story: Reading in global top 50 for QS Sustainability Rankings

Heritage and culture:

• The TLS highlights that Geoffrey Matthews, a former professor at the University of Reading, edited the final two volumes of the Longman edition of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poetry.

Other coverage:

• The University of Buckingham hosted the Women’s Parliament, attended by participants from the University of Reading.
• BBC Radio Berkshire reports that the University provided funding to support three six-week creative courses in the local community.
• The Tab reports on the death of 18-year-old Fintan Feltham, a first-year student at Reading.
• The Wick Culture mentions that Eliza Bonham Carter is the former Head of Fine Art at the University of Reading.
• Greatest Hits Radio and RDG Today reports that Steve McManus, CEO of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust since 2017, has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Reading.

Alumni:

• Midtjyllands Avis and Herning Folkeblad highlights the life and career of Kim Klastrup, who passed away in Switzerland. They held an MBA from Henley Business School.
• Germanic News highlights Nick Candy, a University of Reading alumnus who studied human geography, as the newly appointed treasurer of Reform UK.