Reading in the news - Thu 12 Mar

Overwhelmed consumers: Dr Rachel McCloy (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the benefits and limitations of too much choice. 

Food and farming:

• Dr Amelia Hood (Sustainable Land Management) and Dr Tom Staton (Agri-Food Economics) were quoted by 8 Point 9 on the benefits of agroforestry. From our story: How to make farms tree-friendly and boost food production 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Open Magazine, Gulf Daily News, Think With Niche, Mother Jones, Detik Health, and various global outlets quoted Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) on acid rain in Iran following airstrikes.  
• EPFL mentioned the SoilWat 2025 meeting on land surface models and weather forecasting, which took place on campus. 
• CBC Radio One replayed a recent interview with Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on climate change and air turbulence.  

Business and society:

• Oxford Mail, This is Oxfordshire, and Herald Series (republished by Yahoo News) reported on a talk from former Prime Minister Theresa May at Henley Business School marking the 25th anniversary of the John Madejski Centre for Reputation (JMCR). Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort is mentioned. 
• Emeritus Professor Kevin Warwick (Biomedical Engineering) featured on The Open University’s podcast to discuss cyborgs. 
• Professor Michael Schmitt (Law) was quoted by Petisi about the legality of the US-Iran conflict. From our expert comment: Iran strikes: Was targeting Iranian leaders lawful? 
• COO of Henley Business School Africa, Jacques le Roux, was quoted by Fourways Review on the impact of recycling and pollution concerns near campus. 

Heritage and culture:

• Reading Today mentioned Professor Anne Lawrence-Mathers (History) in relation to an exhibition showing The Reading Rota, a medieval music manuscript. 
• Professor Matthew Worley (History) was quoted by Big Issue on the history of the punk music genre. 
• Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce reported on a new sponsor for University-funded theatre production Glitch. 

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Charity Today highlighted students Amy Miller and Catarina Carr, who are representing charity Prior’s Court during the upcoming Reading half marathon.  

Other coverage:

• Dr Karen Henderson, Director of Research and Innovation, has been awarded an MBE, reports The Reading Chronicle. From our story: Research and innovation director honoured with MBE 

Alumni:

• Journalist Nikos Vatopoulos, who studied Politics at Reading, wrote for Kathimerini about urban decline in Greece. 
• Profit reported on an upcoming TV interview with Henley Business School graduate and Partner at Forvis Mazars, Răzvan Butucaru.
• Reading graduate Phillippa Gatehouse, Planning Manager at GC Fry and Son, was quoted by Dorset Echo. 
• Saif Khalique, who studied Real Estate and Finance, has been promoted to Director of Underwriting at Aspen, reports Bridging and Commercial.