Reading in the news - Mon 14 Oct

Deepfakes: Reuters features Associate Professor Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre and Television) who explained how generative AI was used to add a “voice clone” of Kamala Harris in a misleading campaign video.

Autumn nature: BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford interviewed Dr Chris Foster (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), who discusses the wonders of birdsong, while his colleague Dr Jonathan Mitchley spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Oxford sharing his enthusiasm for autumn tree colours.

Health and wellbeing:

• The Washington Post, Hindustan Times and MSN features insights from Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) on solitude. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
• ScienceAlert quotes neuroscientist Bhismadev Chakrabarti (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) commenting on recent findings linking the gut microbiome and autism. Republished by MSN

Food and farming:

• Agriland reports that the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture, a collaboration of UK agriculture universities including Reading, has published report on future research topics requested by farmers.

Business and society:

• Poets & Quants reports on Henley Business School's latest rankings success. From our story: Henley Business School secures its best UK position in Financial Times Executive MBA 2024 rankings
• Opinio Juris reports that Dr Saeed Bagheri (Law) will co-convene a seminar on ‘Teaching International Law in the Digital Era’.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Full Fact features Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) clarifying that HAARP technology cannot cause hurricanes.
• BBC features Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) on the rarity of Category 5 hurricanes forming in the Gulf of Mexico. Republished by Yahoo! News and Aol.
• Germanic features Dr Helen Hooker (Meteorology), who explains how urban design significantly affects a city's ability to manage floodwaters during extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.
• Hawaii Tribune-Herald features James O'Donoghue (Meteorology), who likens Jupiter's Great Red Spot to a “Great Red Slug”.
• Ruetir highlights a Reading study that explores the shape of snowflakes. From our story: Snowflake dance analysis could improve rain forecasts
• LBC Radio interviews Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) discussing the solar activity cycle and its impact on Earth. Also features in news bulletins: LBC News.

Other coverage:

• Wokingham.Today reports that the University of Reading joined community forums and a steering group to contribute to Wokingham’s Community Vision initiative.
• Reading Chronicle highlights the University of Reading’s position at 26 in the UK and 201-250 range globally. From our story: Reading in UK top 30: THE World University Rankings 2025
• Ahead of the public inquiry into the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, The Standard, MSN and Solondais quote Professor Gary Stephens (Pharmacology).From our expert comment: What are Novichok agents?
• inews reports on expenses claimed by UK university leaders, and includes comment from Professor Robert Van de Noort.  Republished by MSN
• BBC Asian Network interviews the President of the Kashmir Society highlighting the significance of representation for students from both Indian-administered and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
• BBC Radio Berkshire mentions upcoming talk organised by the University Chaplaincy on the importance of understanding AI.