Reading in the news - Mon 30 Jun

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

• RDG Today and Wokingham Today quote Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography and Environmental Science), who explains that the amber heat health alert helps healthcare professionals prepare for increased heat-related emergencies.
• The Naked Scientists quotes Dr Jess Neumann (Geography and Meteorology) explaining that the water cycle duration varies depending on conditions. From our story: Amber heat health alert: UK heatwave comments.
• The Independent, LBC News and BBC Radio Berkshire report Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) urging people to “treat extreme heat with the same respect you’d show a dangerous storm” ahead of the UK’s second heatwave of 2025. Republished by AOL, Yahoo News, MSN, Europesays and THE PINNACLE GAZETTE. From our story: Amber heat health alert: UK heatwave comments.
• The Telegraph quotes Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology), who explains the rare ‘heat dome’ phenomenon causing the hottest start to Wimbledon in 147 years amid a 36C heatwave. Republished by MSN, Yahoo News and AOL
• BBC 1 Radio South reports Dr Eugene Mohareb (Construction Management and Engineering) warns that even short extreme heat spells can be deadly.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• Punchline Gloucester reports that a team from the University competed in the Ceres Rural Crop Challenge alongside five other institutions.
• Wokingham Today highlights collaborative efforts involving the University and other partners to combine expertise and resources, enabling greater community impact.
• The East Reading Festival showcased #ROCuP, a University project uncovering local cemetery histories, quoting Professor Yota Dimitriadi (Education).

Business and society:

• Leader.co.za features Dr Hélène Smit (Henley Business School), whose new book Depth Leadership explores the role of psychological literacy in shaping effective leadership.
• The Social Impact Show features Jon Foster-Pedley (Henley Business School Africa), who discusses the launch of the Change Science Institute.
• AP News, Global media Watch, IN Presswire and more quote Emeritus Professor Peter Hawkins (Henley Business School) highlighting his experience reading the Parentship in Families as Teams book.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Scinexx reports that Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) has expanded his famous “Warming Stripes” graphics to include new versions showing changes in future climate projections.
• Metro and NewsCabal quote Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology), who highlights radio’s critical role as a survival tool during wars and emergencies.
• Forbes and Farming Portal reports Dr Kerry Stewart (Ecology) warns of an unprecedented bird extinction crisis, with 500 species at risk of vanishing within the next century. Republished by MSN. From our story: 500 bird species face extinction within the next century
• Hello Rayo reports that University climate scientists have helped create an immersive PlayStation 5 and PS VR2 experience showcasing climate change.
• Modernity News reports on a Which magazine survey conducted with the University, assessing the accuracy of weather forecasts from popular apps.
• BBC Radio Berkshire speaks to Professor Philip Beaman (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) about ‘earworms’ – the songs that just won’t leave your head.

Heritage and culture:

• Lit Hub features a reflection by a former professor of linguistics at the University, referencing the town’s name in a discussion on puns and etymology.
• The Corriere PL features a personal account of presenting selected poems at the University in 2011, marking a significant moment linked to the publication of The Poetry of Menotti Lerro.

Alumni:

• Gazeta da Semana reports that Paulo Camargo, one of Brazil’s most admired CEOs, launched his new book at Hard Rock Cafe Curitiba; he holds an MBA from Henley Business School.
• Twinkl introduces Pete Mattock as the new National Education Lead for Secondary Maths, noting he holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University.