Reading in the news - Thu 29 May

The Book Game: Professor Chloe Houston (English) spoke to The Sunday Times about the process of writing her new novel, The Book Game, with co-author Adam Smyth.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Hannah Cloke spoke to BBC News about the need for an overhaul of the way the UK uses water, in a report about government plans to create two new reservoirs. Republished by AOL, British Bulletin and Yahoo!. BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt spoke to BBC Radio 2 live from the University of Reading about the UK’s water resources.
• Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez and Dr Simon Driscoll (both Meteorology) spoke to NewScientist (in print) about developments in AI weather forecasting.
• Research by Dr Rob Thompson and Rosie Mammatt (both Meteorology) comparing the BBC Weather and Met Office weather apps is mentioned on BBC Radio Humberside. From our story: Met Office vs BBC Weather – which weather app is best?
• An event on aligning climate action with jobs and justice in Africa featured a speaker from the University of Reading, Kenya News reports.
• Students and staff carried out a coastline survey of England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1965, Dorset Echo and Bridport and Lyme Regis News reports.

Business and society:

• Anne Dibley (Henley Business School) is quoted by People Management on the impacts of the government’s apprenticeships overhaul.
• Dr Saeed Bagheri (Law) is among hundreds of lawyers who have signed a letter calling for UK sanctions on Israel. Covered by multiple media outlets including the Guardian. Read his previous expert comment: The environmental threat to Gaza
• Dr Naeema Pasha (Henley Business School) will speak at The Future of Work Conference, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce reports.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Jim Leary (formerly Archaeology) is featured in a repeated Digging for Britain episode which featured University of Reading excavations near Stonehenge.

Health and wellbeing:

• Dr Juliane Honisch (Psychology) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about frailty and ageing.

Other coverage:

• The Reading Chronicle (in print) mentions Dr Alice Mpofu-Coles’ (Geography) appointment as Mayor of Reading.
• Construction Enquirer, construction.co.uk, Building Design and Construction Magazine, and Specification Online say Mace has been appointed as the main contractor for the new Natural History Museum facility set to be built at the University’s Thames Valley Science Park.
• Understanding Animal Research mentions an article by Dr Walter Veit (Philosophy) (originally published on The Conversation) about the behaviours and abilities of ravens, magpies, jays and crows.
• University research found that changing food disposal habits and the proliferation of food delivery services have contributed significantly to urban rodent populations. Exact Release provides coverage.
• Andrew Burrell (Catering) spoke to TUCO (in print) about a sushi-making class he attended.
• Professor Paul Glaister CBE (Mathematics) was the mystery guest on BBC Radio Berkshire (from 1:54) breakfast show.
• Reading Borough Council and Reading Today mentions the introduction of the White Knight 20 bus service that runs to the University in articles about increased bus journeys in Reading.
• Accounting and Finance student Ollie Myatt featured on a repeated episode of The 1% Club.

Alumni:

• The Sun (paywall) mentions a couple who emigrated to Spain after attending the University of Reading.
• Hazel Khumalo, who holds an MBA from Henley Business School, has been appointed as a Director on the board of The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.
• National Rifle Association reports on the death of David Dashwood, who shot for Combined Universities during his time at Reading.
• John Downes, who has been listed as one of the top 100 digital leaders by Business and Finance, holds an MBA from Henley Business School