Reading in the news - Fri 21 Jan

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was interviewed by BFMTV and quoted by Express and The Stars Post as the UK announces easing of almost all restrictions; by Russia News Today on vaccine effectiveness; Yahoo! on the virus's transmissibility, and MD Alert on Covid and vulnerable people in hospital. 
• Professor Ian Jones is quoted by Zero Hedge, Investing Matters, Hedge Accordingly, and Freedom Bunker on the Omicron variant and natural immunity.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Dr Robbie Girling and Dr James Ryalls (Agriculture) are quoted by Independent, Yahoo!, Popular Science, TVN, CTV News, US News, Mirage, Phys.Org, News Break, and over 100 others on research that revealed the effects of pollution on pollinators' ability to smell crops and wildflowers. BBC World Service Radio also mentioned the research. Read our news story.
• BBC Radio Berkshire, Reading.co.uk, Design and Built UK, and District Energy report on the University's efforts to decarbonise heating and move towards carbon zero target by 2030. Read our news story.
• Dr Ella Gilbert (Meteorology) is quoted by Vice on climate news that shocked her.
• Professor Maria Shahgedanova (Geography / Environmental Science) is quoted by The Moscow Times on the global reduction of glaciers. 
• Professor Tom Oliver (Biological Sciences) is mentioned by European Environment Agency on sustainability lessons learned from the pandemic. 

Other Coverage:

• Emeritus Professor Brian Scott-Quinn (Henley Business School) is quoted by Compliance Week on the lack of standardised metrics for businesses' future climate impact. 
• Associate Professor Miriam Marra (Henley) is quoted by Metro on the advantages of the four-day work week, and a 2019 Henley study which found specific productivity benefits is mentioned by Psychology Today. 
• Reading research on the dietary and health benefits of tomatoes is quoted by Real People (in print). 
• Megan Powell, a student from the University is mentioned by In Your Area and British Farmer & Grower (in print) for being selected to receive a 'Centenary Award' bursary.
• Eastbourne Herald reports that a Reading graduate is recognised in national business awards.