Reading in the news - Tue 1 Jul

The heatwave continues:

• Multiple sources including Daily Mail, The Borehamwood Times, County Press, Dereham Times, The Bolton News, Echo News, Glasgow Times, Bucks Free Press, York Press, Watford Observer, Leader Live, South Wales Argus, Swindon Advertiser, BBC News, BBC News, and BBC News and Press Association (in print) quotes Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) on the UK being on the edge of a “large dome of heat” driving the current heatwave. Republished by INKL, Financial Times, Xinhua News, Arise TV - Heatwave Records, Arise TV - France Heat Alerts, Nation News | China Daily, Yahoo News UK, NewsGD, Live India, Westmorland Gazette,  AOL,  Herald Series, and Albanian Daily News. Sky News Radio spoke with Professor Allen (Meteorology) on the same topic.
• FRANCE 24, Financial Express, BBC Radio 5, , Press Association (in print)  and Whatfinger feature Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology), who explained the causes of the extreme heatwaves across Southern and Western Europe and their link to climate change. Dr Deoras explained that the current heat dome, centred on Denmark with the UK on its western edge, is causing stable, mostly cloudless weather by drawing in hot, dry air from the south. Reported by multiple sources including Dorset Echo, Warrington Guardian, Belfast Telegraph, Evening Standard, Worcester News, EDP24, Herald Scotland, Oxford Mail, The Independent, Daily Echo, Yahoo News, Glasgow Times and The Leader
• BBC Radio Devon and BBC Radio Cornwall mention a video made by Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology) that demonstrates that after a hot spell, rain water does not soak into the ground as well, leading to further consequences of drought, including flooding.
• The BBC, BBC 1 South and BBC Radio Berkshire, ITV 1 Meridian Thames Valley feature Dr Eugene Mohareb (Construction Management and Engineering), who warns that extreme heat events are "creeping up on us" and highlights society's slow response to rising temperatures.
• BBC Radio Ulster featured Professor Peter Inness (Meteorology) discussing how sunny weather can also cause various health and environmental issues affecting different people in diverse ways.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• Reading Chronicle reports that the University has launched its Centenary Memories project ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2026, inviting the public to share stories. Republished by MSN.
• Afterschool Africa reports that the University has launched the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship for 2026.

Health and wellbeing:

• Uroda i Zdrowie highlights research from the University indicating that grilling with sunflower oil and similar processed fats can produce harmful compounds linked to health issues.
• BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle feature Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences), who states there is no evidence from properly controlled studies that 5G technology or any mobile phone technology poses a health risk.

Business and society:

• La Gaceta reports on a University study showing that ChatGPT significantly outperformed real students in a university exam, raising concerns about academic integrity and AI’s capabilities. From our news story: AI generated exam answers go undetected in real-world blind test.
• MBA.co.za reports that Henley Business School’s Global Executive MBA has climbed to 64th place in the 2025 QS Global Executive MBA Rankings, maintaining its position in the world top 100.
• MBA.co.za reports that Henley Business School Africa has been appointed as an official B20 network partner. Dean Jon Foster-Pedley, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement, Sub-Saharan Africa) called the role a major milestone.
• MBA.co.za reports that Henley Business School officially launched the Change Science Institute on 18 June 2025. The event featured a panel including Henley Dean Jon Foster-Pedley.
• The Indian Express mentions comments from Professor Marko Milanovic (Law) on the current conflict in the Middle East.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Watts Up With That references a survey by Which? magazine in collaboration with the University, comparing the accuracy of weather forecasts from five popular apps over two weeks.
• Harian Jogja and Cosmos Magazine report Kerry Stewart (Ecology) led research warning that 500 bird species could face extinction within the next century, a crisis described as unprecedented in modern times. From our story: 500 bird species face extinction within the next century.
• Greatest Hits Radio reports that University scientists helped create Climate Station, a PlayStation VR experience designed to make climate science accessible, and Professor Richard Allen (Meteorology) highlighted its value in engaging diverse groups with climate data.
• BBC1's documentary Why Cities Flood: Spain's Deadly Disaster features Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography and Environmental Science), highlighting systemic failures in early warning systems.
• Hindustan Times and Moneycontrol reports Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) analysed India’s 2025 monsoon season, showing it reached full national coverage by June 29, the ninth earliest since 1960. Republished by MSN.
• Watts Up With That refers to a University of Reading study that compared different weather apps. From our news story: Met Office BBC Weather apps compared which is best.

Other Coverage:

• A photo of the University of Reading appeared in Zing News in an article highlighting a powerful early example of a book club that reviewed a book and generated over 7,000 sales.
• Henley Standard, RDG.today and Wokingham Today highlight new Rams signing Max Brown, who will be studying for a PGCE in teaching at the University while playing rugby for the team.
• BBC Radio Berkshire speaks to Professor Philip Beaman (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) about ‘earworms’ – the songs that just won’t leave your head.

Alumni:

• TimesLIVE highlights Nomvula Mabuza, a risk governance and compliance specialist and current MBA candidate at Henley Business School.
• The Standard reports  Nick Candy, a British billionaire and property developer, studied human geography at the University. Republished by MSN and Yahoo News
• An alumna speaks to Racing TV, mentioning their studies in estate management at the University.