Reading in the news - Thu 5 Oct

Warm September: Sky News and The Guardian quote Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) on a new report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service that showed September 2023 was the hottest September on record, and that 2023 could be the warmest year on record. Republished by Isle of Wight Radio, Island Radio, Black Country Radio, This is the Coast, MKFM, JackFM, More Radio, Yahoo! News and Gaydio. Read our expert comment.  

Sycamore gap: Professor Helen Parish (History) writes for The Conversation about the felling of the famous sycamore tree at Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland, and four other significant tree destructions from history. Republished by Big News Network.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment  

• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) is quoted in Texas Standard on the effect climate change has had on a rural Texan Town.  
• Dr Tijana Blanusa (Crop Science) writes for Fine Gardening on plants making a positive environmental impact in fighting pollution and helping to cool the environment. 

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university 

• In Reading Today and Wokingham Today, Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort writes about the launch of a new clinical simulation training suite at the University’s Whiteknights campus and the launch of Screen Berkshire, a project that will help develop the skills of new and existing film and TV talent in the county. Both projects will ‘support people in Reading and Wokingham.’
• A steering group has been set up by Wokingham Borough Council to help establish key hopes and aspirations for Wokingham Borough. The project will be working alongside representatives from the University of Reading, Wokingham Today reports.

Business and society:

• Dr Chris Dalton (Henley Business School) writes about self-awareness in management and leadership for Management Today. 
• Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Business School (Africa) writes for Financial Mail on a ‘new manifesto for business schools in South Africa.’

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Big News Network quotes Dr Alexander Edwards (Pharmacy), who debunks the conspiracy theory linking COVID-19 vaccines with mobile phone signals.  

Food and farming:

• Crop Science mentions research conducted by the University on wheat yield accumulation.  

Other Coverage:

• Financial Review quotes Adrian Tagg (Construction Management and Engineering) on RAAC being included in buildings outside of the UK.  

Alumni: 

• The Reading Chronicle spoke to filmmaker and alumni, Natalia Syam, on her new debut feature ‘Footprints On Water.’ Syam completed her BA in Film, Theatre and Television at the University of Reading.  
• Former Majority Leader of the NPP, Felix Owusu-Adjapong, has passed away. Adjapong studied Urban Land Appraisal at the University, PeaceFM reports. Also republished by Ghana Web.