Reading in the news - Mon 22 Feb

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by USA Today, Yahoo News and several US state publications on the Kent variant of the virus potentially becoming widespread in the US; the Independent on risk of infection at hairdressers; The National on the number of contact tracers being reduced in the UK; and the Telegraph and FR24 on how new variants could evade vaccines. He spoke to Talk Radio and LBC Radio about when lockdown might end. His piece written for The Conversation was republished by the National Interest.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by MSN News and Head Topics debunking myths about the safety of vaccines.
• IOL mentions an upcoming short course run by Henley Business School titled ‘Future proof your health care practice’ in an article about technology helping fight against Covid-19.

#WeAreTogether: Reading’s work to tackle the coronavirus crisis

• The new Farmer’s Weekly podcast features Dr David Rose (Agriculture) talking about a new research project looking at the impact of the pandemic on farmer mental health.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• The Financial Times quotes Pro Vice Chancellor Paul Inman on scrutiny of collaborations between UK and Chinese universities. India Education Diary also reports that Mr Inman received the Amity Global Excellence Award for fostering UK and India Academic Cooperation at the INBUSH Era World Summit-2021, organized by Amity International Business School (AIBS) and Amity University Greater Noida.
• Devon Live publishes an article on surprising facts about the Met Office, including its partnerships with organisations like the University of Reading and ECMWF

Other coverage

• ITV Meridian interviewed Head of Admissions Kathryn Whittington about student applications ahead of the 2021 UCAS deadline. India Education Diary reports that the University saw a 5% rise in applications. Read our news story.
• The Scotsman reviews Mouthpieces, the new book by Eimear McBride, who completed a Beckett Research Fellowship at the University of Reading, containing three original texts inspired by the work of Samuel Beckett in the Beckett Archive at the University.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Guy Baxter (The MERL) about their 51 Voices project celebrating the museum’s 70^th anniversary. Read our news story.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Professor Roberta Gilchrist (Archaeology) about the recent film The Dig and the true archaeology story it is based on.
• A Business Insider article on the history of Stonehenge includes research involving Reading PhD researcher Katy Whitaker (Archaeology), sarsen showing where the stones came from. Read our news story.
• Wokingham Today reports comments by Dr Jess Neumann (GES) about Storm Christoph rainfall and flooding seen last month across the country becoming the norm. Read our news story.
• Dr Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj (Henley Business School) was a guest on The Agenda on CGTN, talking about whether entrepreneurs are born or made.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Henley Business School graduate and now-CEO of InfoVista Kristian Thyregod about his time at Henley.
• Biz Community reports on Henley Business School research showing the value of side hustle businesses in an article on unemployment in South Africa.
• Australian Times and Prime Resi republish an article written for The Conversation by Professor Michael Ball (Henley Business School) on the negative impact of the stamp duty holiday on the UK on the housing market.
• Kompas (Indonesia) reports on research by Dr Tijana Blanusa (Biological Sciences) showing house plants are good for your skin. Read our news story.
• Kompas also reports on a book by Emeritus Professor Derek Clements Croome (Built Environment) exploring the health benefits of certain building designs.
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• The Northern Echo reports on Reading research showing covering the walls of buildings with climbing plants helps cool them down.
• The Scottish Farmer reports on a planning tool co-developed by the University of Reading to improve pest management plans.
• Wokingham Today previews this week’s annual Chaplaincy Lecture, this year featuring historian Tom Holland.
• Wokingham Today publishes a letter from a Shinfield resident in response to the Vice-Chancellor’s interview on BBC Radio 4 about the impact of the pandemic on universities.