Reading in the news - Fri 26 Aug

Anglo-Saxon monastery: BBC South, BBC Oxford, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Online, Yahoo and report on the discovery of an 8th century monastery on the banks of the Thames near Maidenhead, which would have been an important trading hub in its day. The excavation of the site has been led by Dr Gabor Thomas, from the University’s Department of Archaeology. Read our news story.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Aol and Yahoo! quotes Dr Buwen Dong (Meteorology) on the ongoing ‘worst ever’ heatwave in China.
• The Independent interviews Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology) and the Boston Globe includes the video he created by showing how parched ground absorbs water less efficiently, in articles on flood risk after a heatwave.
• Seed Today reports on Reading research showing hay yields will decrease due to climate change. Read our news story.
• Visiting Professor Liz Bentley (Meteorology) appeared on BBC Radio 4 to discuss how maths skills help with studying the weather.
• Professor Maarten Ambaum spoke to BBC Radio Cambridge’s Naked Scientists programme (approx. 52 mins in) about cloud-seeding to increase rainfall.

Synthetic embryos: The Daily Mail quotes Dr Darius Widera (Pharmacy) on scientists creating synthetic embryos from mouse cells.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was interviewed on LBC Radio about Rishi Sunak’s comments on the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Other coverage:

• EOS, the science news magazine by the American Geosciences Union, quotes Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on what we can expect during the next Solar Maximum.
• Berkshire Live reports on an unauthorised encampment at a Reading school, following one at the University earlier in the week.
• The Slough Express, Maidenhead Advertiser and Windsor Express reports on Maidenhead United Women football team signing a player who is studying at the University.
• The Teesdale Mercury (and in print), The Oxford Times (in print) and North Norfolk News (in print) all interviewed local A-Level students who are coming to the University of Reading.
• Student Jess Ashley (Film, Theatre and Television) discussed what to watch on TV this week on BBC Radio Berkshire.
• The Scientist reports on a study by Dr Alejandra Perotti (Biological Sciences) that found human DNA can be recovered from the 'glue' headlice used to stick eggs to the hair of ancient mummies.
• Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) is quoted in this Head Topics Ireland article on the benefits of returning employees to a business.

Alumni:

• Cocorioko publishes an obituary for Sierra Leone novelist Yema Lucilda Hunter, mentioning that she recently earned a BA at Reading.
• Gauteng Lifestyle Mag reports that Henley Business School MBA graduate Mapi Mhlangu has been appointed head of the judging panel for the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in South Africa.
• Suara in Indonesia reports on Reading research on the health benefits of blueberries.
• North Norfolk News (in print) features an obituary for renowned horticulturalist Doreen Normandale, who studied at Reading during the Second World War.
• An article in Business News Wales mentions that Reading graduate Jodie Al-khafaji has been promoted by real estate adviser Avison Young.
• Johnny Ohisa Damian, who gained a Master’s degree from Reading in Development Finance, has been appointed governor of South Sudan’s central bank, Radio Tamazuj reports.