Reading in the news - Fri 22 Apr

Climate Ambassadors Scheme: The Department for Education published its climate change and sustainability strategy yesterday, one element of which is the Climate Ambassadors Scheme led by the University of Reading in collaboration with STEM Learning. An article by Professor Mark Fellowes (Biological Sciences) and Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson (Institute of Education) on The Conversation considers what might be in the Natural History GCSE proposed by the DfE, and gives an overview of Reading’s work on climate education. The article is reposted by Foreign Affairs and Big News Network.

Read more about the scheme in our news story.

Ukraine Scholarship Scheme: The University has launched an extension of the sanctuary scholarship scheme, offering funded places for Ukrainian students. Kathryn Whittington (Admissions) spoke to BBC Berkshire (approx. 2hrs 20 in). Read our news story about the new scholarships.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Tom Oliver (Biological Sciences) is quoted by Forbes, El Pais, Atin Ito, The Limited Times, The Jordan Times, Scientific American, E&E News, and MTV on the unknown tipping point of insect ecosystems. 
• Emeritus Professor Brian Scott-Quinn (Henley Business School) is quoted by UKTN on the need for evidence that Shell is enacting its new energy plan, which includes intentions to have net-zero emissions by 2050. 
• An article posted by New Security Beat on how women's leadership has shaped the environmental movement lists the University as a source.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) is quoted by Hersfelder Zeitung, HNA, and Kreiszeitung.de on the development of a universal vaccine that boosts T-cell immunity.

Other Coverage:

• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) is quoted by The Telegraph on the nutritional value of vegan and dairy-free diets.
• Dr Daphne Halikiopoulou (Politics) was a guest on the New Statesman World Review podcast to discuss the rise of far right politics in Europe.
• Science Focus lists a book edited and assembled by Professor Mark Fellowes (Biological Sciences) on the study of zoology as one of the best wildlife books of 2022. 
• Doctoral researcher Jacob Gardner (Biological Sciences) was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire about a recently released documentary that discusses the discovery of a fossil of a dinosaur thought to have died in the asteroid strike that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
• Professor Nada Kakabadse (Henley Business School) is quoted by Green Me on caution about the future of advanced microchip implants. 
• Dr Sarah Needs (Pharmacy) is quoted by Zenopa and Lab Online on leading new research on the capability of smartphone tech to be used as accurate at-home testing kits for illnesses including Dengue Fever. Read our news story. 
• Presse Box and IDW report on a collaborative University research project on the link between fat metabolism and the development of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. 
• Dr Carl Singleton (Economics) is quoted by Green Ground on findings from his paper on placing bets on tennis players based on how well looked-up they are on Wikipedia.
• University Business reports on a letter by the president and delegation teams of Reading's Student Union that criticised The National Union of Student's lack of addressing the issue of antisemitism. 
• A student from the University spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about films to watch over the Easter weekend.

Alumni:

• In an article by Hello! (in print) on a new book by Good Morning Britain weather presenter and Reading graduate Laura Tobin, who is also a champion of the Climate Ambassador Scheme (see above), her time spent studying at the University is mentioned.
• A graduate of the University is mentioned by ADVFN, Investegate, and Shares Magazine for reviewing inside information for a company's announcement. 
• Cambridge Independent mentions a Reading graduate's professional experience before becoming a scientist for Domino.
• Televisual reports on a Reading graduate's appointment as a trainee at Grierson DocLab.