Reading in the news - Mon 16 May

Tonga volcano: New research co-authored by Reading has confirmed the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption in January was the biggest explosion ever recorded in the atmosphere. The story is covered internationally, including by BBC online, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WA Today (Australia), The Science Times, Seznam Zpravy (Czech Republic), Saudi Gazette (Saudi Arabia), and Yahoo News Canada. Read our news story.

Marlow Warlord: Great British History Hunters on Channel 4 told the story of the discovery of a warrior from Anglo-Saxon times discovered near Marlow and excavated by University of Reading archaeologists. Read our news story. Dr Gabor Thomas (Archaeology), who led the excavation, also spoke to Time Team’s YouTube channel about a separate dig he led, which revealed the location of a lost monastery ruled over by Queen Cynethryth, of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. Read our news story.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Up Jobs News and Ecclesiastical and Heritage World (in print) reports on the Rainfall Rescue project led by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) and the news records it has set. Read our news story.
• The Telegraph (in print) quotes Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) on recent research he co-authored, which showed the Moon’s cycles can cool and heat the Earth.

Other coverage:

• The Guardian and MSN News publish an obituary of Percy Allum, a former Reading academic who wrote a popular book on politics and society in Naples in 1975.
• LBC News spoke to Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) about cases of monkeypox.
• Medical News Today quotes Dr Mark Dallas (Pharmacy) on a study that suggests certain levels of stress can prevent the onset of dementia.
• The Scientist quotes Dr Louise Johnson (Biological Sciences) on her experiences of speaking to the media, in an article on making relationships with journalists work.
• The Irish Examiner and Benefits Canada reference a Henley Business School paper that explored the benefits of a four-day working week, in articles on whether the countries should implement this model.
• A BBC Radio Guernsey interview about the excavation of a Roman fort in Alderney mentions that Dr Rob Fry (Archaeology) will be helping with radar surveying of the area.
• The Guardian Nigeria reports on the launch of the new MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy programme, which includes training from Henley Business School.
• Yorkshire Bylines reports on a presentation given by Dr Ruvi Ziegler (Law) at a meeting of experts and organisations to discuss the approach by the UK and EU on Ukrainian refugees.
• True Viral News, Rezone and Digital Trends mention research by Emeritus Professor Kevin Warwick (Cybernetics) involving implanting microchips into his body, in articles on growing interest in using microchips for contactless payments.
• The Slough Express reports on a fundraiser by Maidenhead Utd Women footballer Chrissy Nazif, who is also Sports Co-ordinator at Reading University Students’ Union.
• BBC Radio Tees mentions Reading research on the positive impact of houseplants as part of a discussion about working from home. Read our news story.
• Construction Management reports on a Student Festival held by the Chartered Institute of Building, attended by Dr Tim Lees (Built Environment).

Alumni:

• The Guardian (in print), the Telegraph (and in print) Yahoo News publish an obituary for Robert Gillmor, a Reading graduate and wildlife illustrator who drew the original RSPB logo.
• Hiamag interviews a Saudi scholarship graduate about her experience of studying in the UK.
• The East Anglian Daily Times (in print) reports on a book written by a farmer who runs Bacton Pigs alongside his nephew, who is a Reading graduate.
• Edinburgh Live interviews a Reading Meteorology graduate who has gone on to build a boutique hotel enterprise in Spain.
• Nation of Change republishes an article from The Conversation by a Reading Meteorology graduate, which explains why storms and floods are getting worse under climate change.