Reading in the news - Fri 11 Jul
11 July 2025

ECMWF groundbreaking: BBC News, Physics World, ECMWF, Caithness Business Index and Wired-Gov report that the new ECMWF headquarters will be located next to the University’s Department of Meteorology. Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort and Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez are quoted. BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) about the new headquarters. Read our story: Government minister visit for ECMWF HQ milestone
Cookham excavations: Greatest Hits Radio, Slough Express, Maidenhead Advertiser, Windsor Express and HelloRayo reports that scientists believe the 8th-century Cookham monastery may have been one of the UK’s earliest hospices. From our story: Tumours and trauma treated at Anglo-Saxon 'hospice’.
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on the environmental and health impact of heatwaves.
- Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) is quoted by The Star (Sheffield), Keighley News, Ilkley Gazette, Craven Herald, York Press, and Gazette & Herald warning that Yorkshire Water’s hosepipe ban highlights the urgent need for reform in how drought. From our story: Hosepipe ban: expert explains water restrictions. Dr Jess Neumann was also interviewed by Heart Radio Berkshire about Thames Water potentially issuing a potential hosepipe ban. Also quoted in Bloomberg.
- Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) was interviewed by Deutsche Welle (DW) TV, Deutschlandfunk Radio, Wild Science about flash floods in Texas. Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) is quoted by 100PercentFedUp.
- Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage, discussing climate change and what future impacts might look like.
- BBC 1 South reported temperatures reaching 31°C at the University of Reading.
- Dr Akshay Deoras and Professor Richard Allan (both Meteorology) are quoted by WAAY TV and MSN US about heatwaves in Europe.
- A study cited by Gardens Illustrated found that Mediterranean plants such as Stachys byzantina and Lavandula angustifolia can survive extended flooding.
Health and wellbeing:
- New York Post mentions a University study about silence in relationships. Republished by Yahoo News.
Heritage and culture:
- The Irish Times references research by Dr Amanda Hall (Law) in an article about Eleventh Night bonfires.
- Museums Journal highlights the Museum of English Rural Life podcast.
Business and society:
- Professor Adrian Palmer (Henley Business School) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire explaining that the prosperity of high streets closely relates to the strength of the local economy.
- Carmen Micu, CEO of Envisia, mentions Henley Business School in Outsourcing Today.
Other Coverage:
- The Reading Chronicle (in print) reports that repairs are planned for an unsafe footbridge frequently used by University students.
- United Daily News reports that the University of Reading Malaysia was among 12 institutions participating in an education fair to support Chung Hwa Middle School students.