Reading in the news - Thu 25 Jun

25 June 2026

Dr Rob Thompson being interviewed by the BBC while checking the thermometers at the University of Reading atmospheric observatory

Heatwave in UK: Media coverage of Reading expertise on the science, impacts and responses to the UK heatwave continues:

Causes: Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) spoke to ABC News and was quoted by Daily Mail, Responsible Us, BBC News, Zonautara, and ExBulletin, Yahoo News, AOL, and MSN .
Health risks: Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) spoke to The I Paper, The Business Times, and Daily Mirror (republished by MSN, BritBrief, Archynewsy, and PressBee) .
History: Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology) was quoted by BBC News, Express, Reading Chronicle Newsy Today and Kamu Medya on the 1976 UK heatwave. From our story: UK forecast to reach 45°C by 2056
Media: Visiting Professor Liz Bentley, Emeritus Professor Brian Hoskins, and Professor Hawkins (all Meteorology) were listed by PressGazette and Business Green as signatories of a letter on concerns over misleading news coverage of the heatwave.
Adaptation: Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) and Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) were quoted by The i Paper, The Reading Chronicle, MSN and UK Times about protecting yourself in extreme temperatures. Dr Rory Jones (Built Environment) commented on air-con to the Guardian live blog.
Records: Sky News, Sunshine Radio, V2 Radio, Radio Essex, Coast FM, 3FM, Yahoo News and others featured comments from Professor Nigel Arnell (Meteorology) on the “new normal” of UK heat. Professor Bentley was also quoted by Independent, The Reading Chronicle (print), and Chron about record-breaking temperatures. Dr Rob Thompson (Meteorology, pictured) spoke to ITV News and BBC Radio Berkshire about temperatures recorded at the University’s atmospheric observatory.

From our expert comments:
When will June heatwave end?
UK June extreme heat
UK red heat weather warning

Heritage and culture:

Ancient Origins covered research by Dr Jacob Gardner (Biological Sciences) on the size of prehistoric humans. From our story: Bigger bodies were a late addition for humans
A 1,200-year-old board game discovered by Dr Tim Penn (Classics) was featured by Lemaroc 360.
An digital tour of Stonehenge at the British Museum was highlighted by Research Buzz. From our story: See the world of Stonehenge from your sofa this solstice

Food and farming:

GQ Magazine, Press.rs, Dagens, Klinika, Head Topics and MSN reported Professor Gunter Kuhnle’s (Food and Nutritional Sciences) research into flavanols in fruit and veg. From our story: Not all five-a-days are equal for heart health
Comments from Professor Kuhnle on the health impact of food preservatives were featured by Tech Times.

Zdrave, Plovdiv Media, and Oloygeia highlighted a study from Dr Charlotte Mills (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on chewing sugary gum and beetroot to lower blood pressure.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Alastair Culham (Ecology) about pollen levels.
Dr Akshay Deoras was quoted by Deccan Chronicle about India’s current monsoon season.
Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) was quoted by Plant Based News on how agriculture is impacting climate change, with additional comments in The Cool Down and Punto por Punto (republished by Yahoo News).
Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) wrote for The Conversation (republished by Tolerance) about how climate warnings can prevent disasters.
A study by Dr Tijana Blanusa (Agriculture, Policy and Development) found that houseplants can improve mental health, reports Architectural Digest. From our story: Attractive houseplants give biggest well-being boost

Business and society:

Professor Benjamin Laker (Henley Business School) wrote for Forbes about changes to career plans and retirement ages.
Constructing Excellence Midlands highlighted Henley Business School research into attitudes towards AI in the workplace.

Other coverage:

The University has been ranked in the top 100 globally for sustainability by Times Higher Education, reports London Daily. From our story: THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026: Reading in top 100
BBC South Today reported on the death of Reading student Cian Everett
The Guardian (republished by Inkl and Yahoo News) featured an obituary for Meteorology Professor Geoff Wadge.

Alumni:

Law graduate Hayley Harris has been appointed Global Chief Knowledge and AI Adoption Officer for Pinsent Masons, reports Australasian Lawyer.
Pro Landscaper, LAPU, and The Dirt mentioned that RHS Director of Horticulture Tim Upson graduated from Reading.

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