Media report - Tue 4 Feb

Ofsted reform: Professor Julia Waters (Humanities) interviewed on BBC Newsnight, LBC Radio and elsewhere on proposed changes to the Ofsted school inspections. Also reported in the Guardian and via PA Media to Irish News, Irish News, Watford Observer, Swindon Advertiser, Herald Scotland, The Argus, Glasgow Times, East Anglian Daily Times and others.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• BBC Radio Berkshire featured British Science Association and University research into the impacts of sounds on community life in Reading. Read our story: Engine Room wins national award for a community-led project

Health and Wellbeing:

• The Telegraph highlights a University study that found cats provide significant mental health and wellbeing benefits to their owners. Republished by AOL, Yahoo, and MSN.
• Dr Melissa Snaith (Psychology) spoke to ITV Meridian about telephobia.

Business and society:

• Today Line, Croner and Techsauce quoted Professor Anupam Nanda on a Henley Business School study finding a four-day workweek benefits the environment and health.
• Thames Valley Chamber reported that Greenlands Hotel in Henley has earned the Traveller Review Award 2025 from Booking.com.
• Dr Derek Bolton (Law) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford discussing the impact of new US tariffs.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Envirotec Magazine reported that Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) said the steep rise in water bills is a result of decades of neglected infrastructure. From our expert comment: Reservoirs ‘desperately needed’ as past ‘neglect’ hits bills.
• Daily Express quotes Professor Michael Goodman (Geography and Environmental Science) on how wealth inequality contributes to environmental damage.

Other coverage:

• BBC Radio Berkshire reported that the Alworth Philharmonic Orchestra will host a winter concert featuring a pianist twist at the Great Hall, University London Road campus, in 12 days.

Alumni:

• IOL highlight the career transformation of Loyiso Bala, who transitioned from a successful music career to the business world, enrolling at Henley Business School Africa. Republished by MSN, Motoring, IOL Newsletters, Business Report, IOL Lifestyle and IOL News
• BygTek highlights Lars Peter Nyborg Hammel, Project Director at Niras, who has been appointed as the new construction manager at the Hotel and Restaurant School. He holds an Executive MBA from Henley Business School.