Reading in the news - Tue 5 Nov

Tuition fees rise: Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford following the Government’s announcement that tuition fees will rise from next year, outlining how this will impact the higher education sector.

Workers’ rights changes Chancellor of the University of Reading,Paul Lindley OBE, is quoted by City AM on government plans to overhaul workers’ rights.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Amy Richardson (Archaeology) explains proto-writing for NewScientist, following the discovery of ancient Mesopotamian clay seals that feature symbols denoting the world’s oldest known writing system.

Business and society:

• Dr Derek Bolton (Politics) was interviewed by Greatest Hits Radio about the upcoming US election, commenting on the differences between the candidates and when the outcome might be known.
• Phys.org reports on a new study that reveals the challenges facing families living across national borders. Professor Ruth Evans (Geography) is mentioned. From our story: Report reveals challenges facing transnational families.
• Reading Chronicle and Bucks Free Press highlights Henley Business School’s collaboration with NatWest to help students think about setting up their own businesses. Dr Andrew Hull (Henley Business School) and student Ellen Whysall are quoted.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Tom Oliver (Ecology) is quoted by Treefrognews, republished from BBC News, on the impact of the lack of focus from politicians on protecting the environment.
• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) is quoted in MailOnline, The Star Malaysia, Investing.com, SwissInfo, Yahoo, Global Banking and Finance Review and MSN on the impact of climate change on the deadly floods in Valencia, Spain. El Confidencial quotes Professor Hannah Cloke on local authorities’ communications failures in Spain.

#UniForReading: Our role as a civic university:

• Swallows Meadow has reopened to residents in Earley, Bracknell News and Reading Chronicle report, following transformation work by the University of Reading and Earley Environmental Group. From our story: Swallows Meadow officially opens to Earley residents.
• The University’s Great Hall is hosting a concert this Saturday, as reported by BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford and other stations across the South. 

Other coverage:

• Dr Alejandra Perotti (Ecology) is featured in an episode of ‘Expert Witness’ on BBC iPlayer, which documents the final movements of a teenager murdered in 2018.
• Round and About Berkshire and Oxfordshire (in print) mentions the Sue Ryder Celebrate a Life winter remembrance event at the University of Reading’s Great Hall in December.
• National Accord Newspaper mentions Stanislav Andrzejewski, who founded the sociology department at the University of Reading.
• Writing Life (in print) mentions Gerry Leonidas, co-founder of the graduate programmes in typography and communication at the University of Reading.

Alumni:

• The Dirt News reports on the appointment of Ruth Davis, a Reading graduate, as the UK’s first Special Representative for Nature.
• Portsmouth News mentions Chloe Pink, a Royal Navy officer, who graduated from the University of Reading.
• Dr Jacqueline Hughes, who is stepping down as Director General of ICRISAT, holds a PhD from the University of Reading, SeedQuest reports.