Reading in the news - Thu 26 Sep

Safety campaign: BBC 1 South did a report on the new Thames Valley Police campaign ‘It Does Matter’ highlighting safety for women and girls. The piece mentioned the message was being shared with university students, including those at Reading.

BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Sarah Ifidon, Reading Students’ Union Welfare Officer, discussing the launch of the campaign and what activities the union have lined up this term to help raise awareness.

Food and farming:

A BDA article on reducing food waste references a University of Reading research blog discussing the nutritional benefits of frozen and tinned food.

Business and society:

Ends Report features Professor Chris Hilson (Law) on the necessity of replacing the European Chemicals Agency with a UK-specific version to meet EU standards for their products.

The Star features an article discussing the upcoming changes to the special economic zone in Johor, Singapore. The article is written by K.L. Chin and Dr Janice Lee Yim Mei, both from Henley Business School Malaysia.

Heritage and Culture:

Braunschweiger Zeitung highlights a new study by Professor Mary Lewis (Archaeology) about puberty in prehistoric teenagers. Read our news story.

Amateur Photographer features an image taken in the University of Reading’s Harris Garden, shared as part of the 2024 AP Picture of the Week.

Coventry Telegraph reports on new insights into Coventry’s 500-year-old tapestry, as Dr Joanna Laynesmith (History) is part of the expert panel discussing the tapestry’s origins and restoration. Republished by Yahoo! News.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) was interviewed by BBC World Service Radio about a recent rapid attribution study linking climate change to increased flooding. The interview also aired on multiple US state radio stations.

LBC Radio spoke to Professor Liz Bentley (Meteorology) discussing upcoming weather patterns amid the recent wet weather.

Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) is quoted in multiple articles about the recent deadly floods in central Europe, including: The Independent, MSN, Euro News, Earth.org, Tribune International, OKA Press and WP Wiadomosci.

The Times (also in print) features insights from Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), emphasising that rainfall intensity in the UK has significantly increased over the past 60 years.

A BBC News article that quotes Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) on the role of climate change in intensifying floods across Europe is republished by AOL, Yahoo! News, Nach-Welt, AFED and The Rising Nepal.

Il Resto del Carlino reports on a study involving the University of Reading, which warns that 70% of the global population could face extreme climate events. Read our news story.

Wiadomości Gazeta features a graph by Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) illustrating the change in average temperatures in Poland from 1961 to 2010.

Border Telegraph (in print), Clydebank Post (in print), The Gazette (in print) and Cumnock Chronicle (in print) report on University of Reading research, finding that every hedge species benefits the environment.

Other Coverage:

A Times Radio piece on transitioning to University life mentions the University’s support for neurodivergent students.

Wokingham Today reports that the University of Reading has been named the Sustainable University of the Year for 2025 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide. Read our news story.

The Reading Chronicle has reported on a meeting between the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, Yuan Yang, and the President of Reading Students’ Union where they discussed night-time safety and student housing.

Reading Today reports that the Rotary Club of Reading Abbey is supporting Grace Mkangama, a student from Malawi, while she studies at the University of Reading.

The Tab reports that the University of Exeter secured a 240-100 victory over the University of Reading in the first round of University Challenge.

The Tab ranks the University of Reading fourth among UK universities where students are most likely to catch freshers' flu in 2024.

Alumni:

The Bishop's Stortford Flyer (in print) highlights Rachael Cox, the new Head of Prep School at Bishop's Stortford College from April 2025. It mentions that she studied for her PGCE at Reading.

MarineLink and World Ports reports that Michelle Hildyard, who holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Reading, has been appointed to lead operations for Raymarine and FLIR Maritime.

Hotel and Catering profiles Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, and former Reading student.