Reading in the news - Fri 19 May

Solar storm forecasts: Research suggests satellites orbiting Earth can be used to improve solar storm forecasts. PhD student and lead researcher, Harriet Turner (Meteorology) is quoted by The Independent, Evening Standard, Mail Online, Aol., The Herald (and in print), Interesting Engineering, The Reading Chronicle, RDG Today, Lancashire Times, The National, Dorset Echo, Press and Journal, Daily Echo, and more than 100 other outlets. Read our news story. 

Prehistoric fire use: Scientists have pushed back the date for when they believe humans first started controlling fire, suggesting it was 50,000 years earlier than previously thought. Professor Robert Hosfield (Archaeology) is quoted by The Guardian and Yahoo!.

Global temperature threshold: Scientists now predict a high likelihood that global emissions will surpass the 1.5-degree threshold in the coming years. Professor Chris Hilson (Law) is quoted by The Times (in print) on the importance of continuing efforts to reduce emissions. Read our expert comment. 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) is quoted by Insider, Business Insider India, Yahoo!, and MSN on how solar flares impact flights and radio technology. 
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology/Geography) wrote an article for The Conversation on UK drought and flooding, also published in Morning Star (and in print).
• India Education Diary quotes Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) on his climate stripes and reports on the University's Show Your Stripes page which offers insight into localised temperature rises, (read our news story). Professor Hawkins is quoted again by India Education Diary on his research on how climate change today would make the impacts of the 1903 ‘Ulysses’ storm worse. (Read our news story).
• A grant secured by the University which will fund the decarbonisation of Whiteknights Campus's heating system is reported by Heating & Ventilating, India Education Diary, The Reading Chronicle (in print), and Yahoo!. Read our news story. 

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• The University launched the National Education Nature Park initiative today which aims to provide children with access to green spaces and to provide outdoor learning opportunities. Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort is quoted by India Education Diary. Read our news story. 
• The Reading Chronicle (and in print) reports on the expected date for the completion of Shinfield Studios, mentioning the University has been involved in a successful bid for funding its part in the "skill cluster" scheme. Read our news story. 
• India Education Diary reports on the University's first-ever community festival. Molli Cleaver (Community Relations Officer) is quoted on its success. Read our news story.
• India Education Diary reports the University's community fund has expanded to cover Thames Valley, and mention that Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort and Molli Cleaver (Community Relations Officer) will be on the panel that reviews funding proposals. Read our news story.

Health and wellbeing:

• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by The i (in print), commenting that despite recent news of human cases of bird flu, the risk of infection and transmission remains low.
• Wokingham Today reports on an upcoming mental health and wellbeing conference to be hosted at the University's Palmer building on the 27^th of June. 

Business and society:

• Dr Izabela Wieczorek (Architecture) is listed by Euronews, Yahoo!, and MSN as on the international jury of the Venice Architecture Biennale.
• Dr Rebecca Jones (Henley Business School) is quoted by People Management on how banning alcohol at work events would not solve the issue of workplace misconduct, bullying, and harassment. 

Other Coverage:

• Student, Jess Ashley was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire and discussed Disney Plus's new show, Not Dead Yet. 
• Chromatography Online reports on research conducted by Professor Reiner Cramer and PhD student, Bob Challen (both Chemistry) on methods to analyse proteins efficiently. 
• Dr Manuela Gonzalez-Suarez (Biological Sciences) is quoted by The Reading Chronicle (in print) on the unlikely existence of a big cat living in Berkshire.
• Market Rasen Mail (print only) reports that the Rotary Club has raised funds to buy a wheelchair for a University student with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.  
• RDG Today and Wokingham Today report on upcoming musical performances at the University. 
• The Reading Chronicle (in print) reports that the University's Eat At establishment has a five-star rating.