Reading in the news - Tue 22 Apr

Pope Francis: Professor Rebecca Rist (History) was interviewed by many broadcast outlets, discussing the passing of Pope Francis, his legacy and what will happen next, including: BBC News Channel, BBC 2 Radio, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Berkshire, and BBC Radio Oxford.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• News Today, Oceanographic Magazine, Kabar, English News, Uniindia, Weekly Voice, Central Chronicle, Prokerala, Lokmat Times, Social News, NST, Morung Express, CGTN, The Business Gazette, Today In MarCom, Media Industry Observer, OB News, BizzBuzz, Sigma Earth, HD Blog, New Kerala and Rinnovabili report that Dr Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) co-authored a study highlighting that marine heatwaves have tripled in the past 80 years due to climate change. From our story: Extreme marine heatwaves have tripled over the past 80 years.
• AeroMorning, Earth, ESA, Yuba Net, Science Blog and Ocean News highlight a study led by Professor Chris Merchant (Meteorology), linking rising sea surface temperatures to greenhouse gas-driven energy imbalances.
• The i Paper (in print), ITV 1 Meridian, Greatest Hits Radio, The Engineer, Heart Radio Berkshire, Phys.org, Eurekalert, Science Daily and Mirage News report on a study led by Dr Jonny Williams (Meteorology) highlighting how warmer air impacts aircraft performance during take-off. From our story: Holiday flights could carry fewer passengers as world warms
• Pledge Times reports on a study led by Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) which analysed 2017 data showing how a solar wind compressed Jupiter's magnetosphere. From our story: Solar wave squeezed Jupiter’s bubble to unleash heat
• The Dirt reports that Kew Gardens will soon unveil the Carbon Garden, highlighting the role of plants and fungi in climate change. Planting will be inspired by the climate stripes, developed by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology).
• New Scientist highlights the insights of Dr Manabu Sakamoto (Zoology) regarding a study on dinosaur extinction.
• Macau Daily Times features Professor Sarah Dance (Meteorology) discussing AI's role in weather forecasting and the challenges of linking observations with forecast accuracy.
• Today Headline and Yale Environment 360 highlights the role of AI in revolutionising weather prediction, with Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) emphasising the rapid progress in the field.
• Multiple German outlets, including WAZ, WP, WR, Braunschweiger Zeitung, Harz Kurier, OTZ, NRZ, Abendblatt, Morgenpost, IKZ Online, Thüringer Allgemeine, and TLZ, report on the discovery of a dinosaur fossil with a bite mark, with comment from Dr Brian Pickles (Biological Sciences), who was involved in the research. From our story: Rare pterosaur fossil reveals crocodilian bite 76m years ago
• Heart Radio Berkshire highlights comments from Professor Richard Allen (Meteorology), who explained that Europe is increasingly susceptible to extreme weather fluctuations.

Health and wellbeing:

• Reading Chronicle and Henley Standard (in print) highlight a dementia care toolkit donated to a local care home, originally developed by Professor Rachel McCrindle and Dr Esther Olorunda (both Biomedical Sciences) as part of a PhD project.
• Yahoo News features Professor Carien Van Reekum (Psychology), whose study found e-bike users reported higher confidence and mental health benefits than traditional cyclists.
• Devon Life Magazine (in print) Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) discussing the distinction between solitude and loneliness.
• The Independent, World Today News and Hampshire Chronicle report on research involving Professor Claire Williams (Psychology) that shows eating walnuts at breakfast can enhance cognitive function. Republished by NDTV Food, Tyla and Daily Janakantha. From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function
• Get Surrey, Leicester Mercury, Yahoo News UK, Birmingham Live and Irish Star report that Professor Julie Lovegrove (Food and Nutritional Sciences) led a study showing that eating two pieces of common fruit each day can lower cholesterol levels.

Food and farming:

• The Reading Chronicle (in print) reports that University scientist Dr Jamie Thompson (Ecology) won a prestigious award from the Linnean Society of London for his research on flowering plants.
• Science Media Centre features Professor Mark Tibbett (Sustainable Land Management) and Professor Chris Collins (Geography), responding to a study on the global distribution of cropland contaminated by heavy metal pollution.

Heritage and culture:

• Henley Standard (in print) mentions that Professor Chloe Houston (English Literature) will lead a discussion on people’s relationship with land in utopian literature at the Hardwick Estate this week.

Business and society:

• Breaking Latest News highlights Henley Business School research showing that emotionally intelligent leadership boosts team performance, motivation, and engagement.
• Jewish News reports that Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) highlighted the ICPG’s role in creating a community for academics to discuss antisemitism and work towards positive change.
• New Statesman highlights comments by Dr Caroline Baylon, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) on the critical role of international students in UK universities.
• France 24 features Professor Rosa Freedman (Law), who offers expert analysis on the issue of reparations for slavery.
• Journal SOL publishes an opinion piece by Professor Filipe Morais (Henley Business School), looking at the limited access small Portuguese companies have to public capital markets.
• A Telegraph article mentions the University’s previous relationship with a Russian college to offer a course in international relations. Republished by AOL and Yahoo News and MSN.
• Professor Jo Phoenix (Law) wrote a letter to The Times following the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
• Westminster University highlights a project aimed at reshaping migration discourse, co-investigated by Professor Federico Faloppa (Languages and Cultures).
• Steady highlights the EU Passport Project, which records the stories of British Jews reclaiming European citizenship, with Professor Ruvi Ziegler (Law) commenting on the growing phenomenon.

Other coverage:

• Reading Chronicle writes that Bottle Yard and Shinfield Studios, located at the University’s Thames Valley Science Park, are shortlisted for a global screen award.
• Reading Chronicle highlights the University in the new Paddington in Peru film, where the character Judy Brown is considering attending Reading.
• Wokingham Today reports that Wokingham Borough Council is collaborating with the University and other partners to bring the award-winning Forest of Imagination to the borough in 2025.
• Reading Chronicle, RDG.today and Wokingham Today report that the University has submitted a premises licence application to host events at the Palmer Quad on campus.
• Sourcesecurity and Securityinformed highlight that Julie Susel (Security Services) was highly commended in the Initiative of the Year category at the Association of University Chief Security Officers awards.
• BBC Radio Berkshire and RDG Today report on Readipop Fiesta, which is taking place at the University of Reading Students' Union on 13 September.
• Portsmouth News highlights that Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan has been named the UK’s 1000th Climate Ambassador, a scheme developed by the University. From our story: Minister is Climate Ambassador number 1,000
• Inverness Courier, Kent Online, Lynn News, The Northern Scot, Strathspey-Herald and Diss Express report union concerns over the Ofsted inspection system following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, as reported by PA News.
• Group Leisure and Travel features Henley-on-Thames as a great destination for rowing, history, and hidden delights, highlighting Greenlands, the riverside location of Henley Business School.
• Juniper Networks' blog features Stuart Brown, Chief Digital and Information Officer at the University, discussing the future of innovation in education to build higher education networks.
• The Cornishman (in print) highlights a major retrospective exhibition in honour of Tom Cross, who previously worked as a senior lecturer at the University.

Alumni:

• Ideal Home features David Fryer, a Horticulture BSc graduate from the University, now Head of Technical at Fothergill's Seeds, sharing advice on top plants for Mediterranean gardens.
• National Post highlights Grace Mabena, an MBA graduate, who is seeking Canadian residency. Republished by MSN.
• The Guardian and Leadership.ng highlights that Orondaam Otto was named a 2025 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and completed academic programmes at Henley Business School.
• eNCA features Dr Rutendo Hwindingwi in a discussion hosted by Henley Business School Africa, highlighting the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area in boosting intra-African trade.
• Mike McGuff Blog mentions that weather presenter KC Sherman studied meteorology at Reading.
• Channel Africa reports on a new e-commerce platform developed by South African entrepreneur Dudu Radebe, who studied at Henley Business School.
• Malta News Agency and Italpress reports that politician Francis Zammit Dimech, who passed away at the age of 70, held an MBA from Henley Business School.
• The Yorkshire Post interviews Robin Simmonds, who holds an MBA from Henley Business School, on the merger of two regional law firms.
• Page 69 Test highlights Julie Mae Cohen, a UK-bestselling author and former associate lecturer in creative writing at the University, who also studied English at Reading.
• Menotti Lerro writes for Corriere PL about his book, The Importance of Being Normal, which he began during his Master of Arts at the University.
• The Times profiles property professional John Weir, head of real estate at the Church Commissioners for England. Weir studied land management at Reading.