Reading in the news - Mon 11 Dec

Covid inquiry: The Today programme (BBC Radio 4) interviewed Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences), who discussed the impact the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme had on Covid infections in 2020. 

SEE & EAT: Psychologists from The University of Reading have published a new ‘SEE & EAT’ book for children, designed to help young people eat their Christmas vegetables. Professor Carmel Houston-Price (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) is quoted by Reading Today and Wokingham Today.  

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment  

• PhD student, Isabel Smith (Meteorology) explains how climate change makes clear-air turbulence stronger for The Daily Mail in an article about a new study from the University of Chicago, which global warming is speeding up winds in jet streams. Republished by WST Post, Mahalsa.co.uk, Express Digest and WhatsNew2Day   
• Professor Rosalind Cornforth (Meteorology) signed a letter to the COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber, demanding action be taken to reduce the impact of global climate change, Eco-Business writes.  
• BBC Future writes about Professor Ed Hawkins’ (Meteorology) Climate Stripes and how they explain climate change. 
• BBC News quotes Professor Nigel Arnell (Meteorology) on the importance of preparing resources for a continually warming world after The UK Health Security Agency warned about the consequences of a rise in temperatures. Republished by Yahoo! News, Mahalsa.co.uk, Ex Bulletin, EnviroLink and Rocket News.

Health and wellbeing:

• BBC World Service Radio interviews Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) about her study on the benefits of spending time alone. Many other global radio stations like KCFR-FM, Nashville Public Radio and St. Louis Public Radio provide further coverage. Read our news story.

Food and farming:

• Nutrition Insight shares Professor Ian Givens’ (Agriculture, Policy, and Development) reaction to a study on the importance of taking supplements during the perinatal period.

Business and society:

• PhD student and Visiting Fellow Louis Williams (Henley Business School) writes for IFA Magazine (in print) on measurements of attitudes to risk.
• Chancellor of the University of Reading, Paul Lindley OBE, was interviewed by Henley Standard (in print) on his role as founder of baby food brand, Ella’s Kitchen.   

Other Coverage:

• Heart Berkshire mentions the annual Rotary Club Santa Run, which was held at the University of Reading.  
• BBC Berkshire, BBC Solent and BBC Oxford interviewed Professor Helen Parish (History), who explains the history behind Christmas Nativity school shows.  
• The Sunday Times (and in print) interviews Professor Julia Waters (Languages and Cultures)  a coroner’s conclusion that an Ofsted inspection ‘likely contributed’ to the death of her sister Ruth Perry, headteacher of Caversham Primary School. Further coverage is provided by The Daily Mail.   

Alumni:

• CyprusMail and Parikiaki mention that EU Health Commissioner and former Reading student Stella Kyriakides has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University for her contribution to the health sector and the management of the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read our news story.  
• The Kenyan Wall Street reports that independent non-executive director of Britam Board, Judy Rugasira, holds an MSc in Real Estate Management and a BSc in Land Management from the University.  
• CTO and co-founder of Reach Industries, Chris Beck, holds an MSC in Robotics from the University, CHEManager mentions.