Reading in the news - Mon 13 Nov

Museum move: In a letter to The Times, seven former Natural History Museum staff and 23 other experts call for the Museum’s collections to stay in London, rather than moving to the University’s Thames Valley Science Park. The story was also covered as a news story in Saturday’s Times.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university  

• Reading Today reports that The Whitley Community Development Association and the University of Reading have collaborated on a food voucher project. Visit the project website.
• Reading Today reports on a ‘potluck’ dinner, organised by a group including the Students’ Union and University, suggesting how more varied meals could be made available to asylum seekers housed in hotels.
• BBC Berkshire spoke to Chancellor, Paul Lindley OBE, about the problems and solutions facing children in poverty and with mental health issues, which he covers in his new book.  

Culture and heritage:

• Professor Roberta Gilchrist (Research Dean for Heritage & Creativity) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire’s Sunday morning programme (approx. 35 mins in) about a collaborative £1 million research project with the British Museum, which will explore religious practices in the English Middle Ages. Read our news story.
• An interview about Screen Berkshire aired on BBC Radio Berkshire, mentioning that the University is one of the partners involved. Read our news story.
• A feature on Wilfred Owen on BBC Radio Berkshire, on Remembrance Sunday, mentions he studied at University College Reading – the forerunner of the University.
• Christian Chronicle mentions Professor Antony Flew’s (Philosophy) involvement in a four-day long debate on the existence of God in 1976.  

Food and farming:

• Dr Jeremy Burchardt (History) was interviewed for a BBC Radio 4 programme on the growing divisions between farming and non-farming communities in the UK.   
• Reading Today reports that the University of Reading is looking for members to take part in a study which investigates the effects of pomegranate seed oil on people’s heart health.
• Yahoo! News republishes an article by Fortune, which quotes Professor Martin Lukac (Agriculture) on climate change impacts on sparkling wine production.

Business and society:

• Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, Professor Jon Foster-Pedley, writes for Daily Maverick that leaders need to toleration, rather than ‘brilliance’. Republished by Banoyi. 
• BBC News quotes Dr Irene Garnelo-Gomez (Henley Business School) on the debate about airline  ‘greenwashing’. Republished by Banoyi, Yahoo! News, MSN and Gillett News.
• Professor Andrew Kakabadse (Henley Business School) wrote an article for People Management on why hybrid working models are good for staff engagement.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Multiple US state TV channels mention University research on the link between climate change and an increase in clear air turbulence, particularly in the North American jet stream. Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology), who led the research, is also featured on US state radio (various stations), and is quoted in Business News on the same topic.
• Stuff republishes an article from The Conversation, written by Professor Mike Lockwood (Meteorology), regarding the boom in space tourism creating ‘space junk’ and carbon emissions.

Other Coverage:

• The Times includes a death notice for Tony Giles OBE, former agricultural economist at the University, who has died aged 95.  
• Enterprise Networking Planet reports that the components of the University of Reading’s Patch Management Policy work together to protect and update the IT systems used by the university.  
• Dr Alejandra Perotti (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) is quoted in The Courier regarding expert analysis related to an ongoing trial in Scotland.
• Stanislav Andrzejewski, founder of Reading’s former sociology department, coined the word 'kleptocracy’, Sundiata Post reports. Republished by Peoples Gazette, Premium Times, Nigeria News and HTDS. 

Alumni:

• Nairametrics reports that Obinna C. Ufudo, who is currently the Chairman of Atiat Limited and Loan Book Limited, holds an MSc in International Securities Investment and Banking from the University of Reading. Republished by The Times Nigeria.