Reading in the news - Fri 14 Jan

Creative Sparks: Dr Annabel Frearson (Art) was interviewed by Sky News on Creative Sparks, a campaign launched yesterday by Universities UK, featuring and supported by Reading, to promote the value of arts courses. Read our news story.

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) was quoted by the New Scientist (in print) on variations in infection lengths and severity. 
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the Dail Mail on the benefits of multiple vaccinations; and by Suara and India Times on Omicron's ability to boost natural immunity.
• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to LBC Radio and BBC Radio Berkshire about the risk in cutting isolation periods; and is quoted by Zoomer and Archyde on research about the common cold and Covid protection.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology / Geography) was interviewed on the BBC News at 6 on a report into pollution in English rivers. BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Berkshire and others quoted her on this, and the BBC quotes her in an online article on the UK's water quality.
• PhD researcher Maureen Wanzala (Geography / Environmental Science) was quoted by KUNR Public Radio and others on the impact of extreme weather events in East Africa. 
• Further coverage that the new headquarters of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) will be hosted on the University of Reading Whiteknights campus is reported by Brinkwire. 
• Professor Chris Hilson (Law) is quoted in an Ends Report (£) article on government greenwashing.

Vegan diets: Professor Ian Givens (IFNH/Agriculture) was quoted on BBC News, Jan Magazine and Berkshire Live on mineral deficiencies from vegetarian and vegan diets; and by New Scientist on the environmental and nutritional value of meat and dairy alternatives.

Other Coverage:

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the Mirror on sewage sludge at beaches. 
• Professor Uma Kambhampati (Economics) is quoted by Business Biscuit on supply chain issues.
• Professor Mark Pagel (Biological Sciences) is quoted by DC News on the oldest words in spoken language. 
• A Henley graduate's article on digital identity technology is published by Tech UK.
• IT Online quotes Henley Business School statistics on side-hustles. 
• Bio-mimetic wood, developed at the University in the '80s, is mentioned by Biomimicry Innovation.
• Henley Business School is mentioned as a supporter of Rebel Business School by DAB Online. 
• The Sun News, This Day Live, The Whistler, Premium Times, Business Day and The Cable report on a University graduate's appointment to the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. 
• Reading students are listed by Express and The Tab as the fifth top spenders on sex toys in a company survey.