Reading in the news - Mon 20 Sep

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was interviewed on BBC News Channel on genome sequencing of PCR test swabs to check for virus variants; and a TBS eFM South Korea podcast. Dr Clarke was quoted by Mail Online, Metro, iNews, Evening Standard and more than 100 regional news titles on the scrapping of testing before foreign travel in the UK; Mail Online, Limburger Zeitung (Germany) and more than 100 regional titles on the relative risk of infection to Brits inside and outside the UK; Mail Online, MSN News on the prospect of UK/US families being reunited before Christmas; The Sun and Mail Online on the latest weekly cases numbers; Mail Online on Covid-19 spreading within hospitals; Yahoo News, Capital FM and several other commercial radio station websites on Northern Ireland preparing to scrap its traffic light travel system; and The Express on fewer Brits planning trips abroad.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted by Mail Online and Germanic News on the relative vaccine uptake rates across the UK.

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

• Wokingham Today and Reading Today report on the Climate Education Summit hosted by the University of Reading and partners. Read our news story.
• Gramersi reports on the London Fashion Week show featuring dresses by designer Tammam, inspired by the warming stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology). Read our news story.
• Dr Ella Gilbert (Meteorology) has secured a regular slot on Sky News talking about climate change, and has featured in a number of social media posts by the channel.
• The Telegraph mentions Reading research into indoor farming in an article on green and ethical innovations.

#UoRWay: how University life continues through the pandemic

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Parveen Yaqoob spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about vaccination rates among students returning for the 2021/22 academic year.

Staff wellbeing: Dr Madeleine Davies (English Literature) writes for Times Higher Education on the personal and institutional responsibilities for individual wellbeing.

Lab safety breaches: Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by The Times on the number of safety breaches at UK labs handling dangerous viruses in recent years.

Good Uni Guide: BBC Radio Berkshire, National World and Heart Radio Berkshire and other titles report the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 rankings, which placed Reading at 34 nationally and 5 in the South East, and included a strong score for graduate prospects.

#UniForReading: fulfilling our role as a civic university

• An In Your Area article reports that the John Sykes Foundation has donated £15,000 to Whitley charity Aspire2, and mentions the charity works closely with the University.

Other coverage

• Reading research showing healthy lifestyles boost happiness is reported by Daily Star, Stylist, Sify, IOL, MSN News, Yahoo News, Medical Xpress, Daily Hunt, Web India, Devidscourse and Times Now News. Professor Uma Kambhampati (Economics) is quoted.
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Parveen Yaqoob writes for Times Higher Education on making university research culture more open.
• Dr Mark Shanahan (Politics & International Relations) was interviewed on CGTN on the UK government’s Cabinet reshuffle.
• The Express reports on Reading research that shows drinking milk could cut the risk of heart disease. Read our news story.
• MSN News includes Reading research that showed eating apples can reduce bad cholesterol. Read our news story.
• LifeZette quotes Dr Mark Shanahan (Politics & International Relations) on the prospect of former US Vice-President Mike Pence running for president.
• Business Express references Henley Business School research that showed many workers now prefer working from home.
• Live Science quotes Emeritus Professor Malcolm Barber (History) in a feature on the Knights Templar.
• CNN Indonesia quotes former Reading researcher Philipa Darbre (Biological Sciences) on the health risks associated with some cosmetic products.
• Scottish Farmer mentions Reading research into low-protein diets for cattle in an article on alternatives to soy in dairy cow diets.
• Professors Andrew Kakabadse and Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School) write for Risk and Compliance Magazine (attached) on protecting corporate reputation.
• The British Council website announces that a Henley Business School, Lagos Business School and Semicolon Africa partnership has been selected as one of the projects in the inaugural Innovation for African Universities programme 2021.
• The Telegraph interviews gardening influencer Dan Cooper, who studied landscape management at Reading.
• Daily Post Nigeria and News2Online Nigeria interviews an afro beat artist and Reading graduate on how job opportunities in the entertainment sector can dissuade young people in Nigeria from getting involved in crime like online fraud.
• A Neusroom obituary on Martin Mabutho, ‘one of the most influential sales, marketing and customer services executives to come out of Africa’, mentions that he graduated from Henley Business School.