Reading in the news - Thu 19 Dec

Business and society:

• RDG Today reports that members of the University’s Synthetic Media Research Network provided evidence to the UK Parliament’s inquiry into the future of TV and film production.  From our story: Film and TV ‘need rules to protect creatives from AI’.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Democratic Underground quotes Dr Patrick McGuire (Meteorology) on the latest Global Carbon Budget study. From our story: Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024
• Royal Meteorological Society hosted its third energy seasonal forecasting webinar on 28 November 2024, chaired by Ben Hutchins (Meteorology)
• Professor Tom Oliver (Ecology) responds to a new study on the changes needed for to combat environmental crises. Quoted by Science Media Centre.
• Marine Technology News and Nature highlights a study on the impact of declining Antarctic Sea ice. Dr Holly Ayres (formerly Meteorology) co-authored the research.
• Mongabay reports on the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido in southeast Africa, quoting noting Dr Alex Baker (Meteorology).
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviews Dr Peter Inness (Meteorology) about why December has been unusually warm.

Heritage and culture:

• Genetic Literacy Project mentions Professor Steven Mithen (Archaeology) and his book The Language Puzzle.

Health and wellbeing:

• MDedge quotes Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on a new study focusing on the cognitive impacts of ultra-processed food.

#UniForReading: Our role as a civic university

• Greatest Hits Radio reports that a new sports pavilion in Shinfield is nearing completion, funded by the University of Reading.

Other coverage:

• SomersetLive reports on the inquest of Reading student Thomas Wright.
• Reading Chronicle mentions that Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort met with Reading Central MP Matt Rodda, Robert Williams, the Reading Buses CEO, Reading Borough Council leader Liz Terry and John Ennis, RBC lead councillor for transport.
• Reading Borough Council reports that the Orbit Footbridge will close before Christmas.
• The Reading Chronicle  mentions that SANG charges for Shinfield Gardens residents have been paused.

Alumni:

• LAPF Investments reports that Jo Donnelly has been appointed as the new CEO of the London Pensions Fund Authority. He holds a master’s in international law from the University.
• Vail Williams announces the hiring of Sophia Piatto as a planner, who previously studied BSc in real estate at the University.
• Yours features Piper Huxley, Homes and Lifestyle Product Writer, who studied English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University.
• Paris Turf highlights Samuel Legrix, who graduated from Business Management at the University, pursuing a career as a jockey.
• Poets & Quants features Justinas Mišeikis, who has a BSc in Robotics from the University.