Reading in the news - Mon 13 Sep

9/11: An article on al-Qaida by Dr Christina Hellmich (Politics & International Relations) for The Conversation is republished by Yahoo News, Money Web+ and Dhaka Tribune on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to Times Radio (1hr 18mins), BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Hereford & Worcestershire about the UK’s scrapping of vaccine passports; was interviewed on TRT World; and answered listener questions on Friday on BBC Radio Berkshire (3hrs 5mins 55secs). He is quoted by Heise (Germany) on the risks around not being vaccinated.

#PlanetPartners: Reading’s global work for a sustainable future

• Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) spoke to GB News about the importance of talking about climate change.
• PhD student Jeff Da Costa (Meteorology) was interviewed by RTL Today (online, TV and radio) about the apparent lack of action by authorities in Luxembourg after forecasts for heavy rain, which led to severe flooding in July.
• Carbon Brief publishes an article co-written by PhD students Chloe Brimicombe (Geography/Walker Institute) and Maureen Wanzala (Geography), Dr Claudia Di Napoli (Agriculture) and Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology), looking at the extreme weather seen this summer.

Rankings rise: The University of Reading rose one place to 61 in the Guardian University Guide 2022, published on Saturday. The University also held its 201-250 position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and improved its UK position for the fourth year running, moving up one place to 29 out of 101 participating universities – Reading’s highest position since 2015. It improved in all metrics, including rising three places to 78 in the world for International Outlook. Read our news story.

Other coverage

• Reading has been nominated for five awards in this year’s THE Awards – an institutional record. Read our news story.
• Newsweek and Press From quote Dr Mark Shanahan (Politics & International Relations) on the policies appealing to voters in the California recall election.
• Presse Text (Germany) and Med India reports on University of Reading research into an antioxidant drug that can prevent heart attacks and strokes. Read our news story.
• Phys.org reports on Reading research into animal species at risk from roads around the world, quoting Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez (Biological Sciences). Read our news story.
• Nation reports on Reading research showing millets can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Read our news story.
• A repeat of The Food Hospital on London Live features Professor Jeremy Spencer (Food) on a study into the effect of blueberries on brain function.
• IOL (South Africa) interviews Henley Business School Africa MBA student and former South Africa rugby union player Tendai Mtawarira on his studies and swapping sport for business.
• The Guardian interviews MA Fine Art graduate Cornelia Parker OBE on an Art UK auction fundraiser.
• PM News and Eagle Online (both Nigeria) report on a skills development training programme for African filmmakers, which involves Henley Business School.
• Hexun and iFeng (China) references the University of Reading Malaysia in an article on overseas education.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviews one of the performers at Readipop, a music festival held at the University of Reading’s Students’ Union earlier this month.
• The Times quotes a current Reading Real Estate student, who is a friend of US Open tennis grand slam winner Emma Raducanu, in an article on her success.
• The Reading Chronicle reports on an upcoming dance music festival that is ‘aimed at University of Reading students’.