Reading in the news - Thu 22 Oct

Storm Austen: Dr Ambrogio Volonte (Meteorology) was quoted by Reading Today, The Reading Chronicle and Wokingham Today about the incoming Storm Austen. From our expert comment: Storm Austen: forecast and potential impact. Dr Volonte also spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about why certain storms are named.

Food, farming and health:

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) spoke to ITV News (from 1:48) about how recent dry weather has affected the smell of sewage. 
• Dr Clarke was also quoted by Detikinet and Suara Garut about a reported plague case. Dr Clarke and Professor Ian Jones (Biomedical Sciences) were both quoted by Twaslnews, Demokratis, Lensa and others. From our expert comment: ‘Plague’ outbreak in Russia
• Einfach Schoen featured research by Professor Claire Williams (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) on the benefits of blueberries. From our story: Daily blueberries for cognitive and vascular health
• A study into calf weaning was mentioned by The Farmers Journal.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Quebec Nouvelles mentioned a study by Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on climate change and air turbulence.
• Regius Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology) and Professor Deepa Senapathi (Sustainable Land Management) were quoted by Wokingham Today and Reading Today about recent declarations of drought across the UK. From our expert comment: Severe drought recovery likely to take many months
• BBC Radio Berkshire reported on high rainfall recorded on campus since Sunday, compared to records over the summer.

Business and society:

• Aktien News quoted Dr Simone Varotto (Henley Business School) on the financial benefits of companies having climate transition plans.
• Dr Sarah von Billerbeck (Politics and International Relations) spoke to BBC World Service about Trump’s newly established International Board of Peace.
• Jurek Sikorski (Henley Business School) was quoted by Techround on how AI can help start businesses.
• Business Reporter mentioned a Henley Business School study into how workers feel about AI.
• Dr Rodrigo Perez-Vega spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about a new robot developed for caring duties, which he tested alongside Dr Echo Feng (both Henley Business School).
• Dr Vicky Kapogianni (Law) wrote for The Conversation about a dispute over a planned oil project near the Falkland Islands.

Heritage and culture:

• Dr Neha Hui (Economics) spoke to In Our Time, broadcast by BBC World Service Radio, about slavery in the British Empire.
• Farmers Almanac mentioned research from The Museum of English Rural Life on the history of corn dollies.
• Newbury Today highlighted the involvement of Professor Martin Bell (Archaeology) on a new plaque to celebrate the prehistoric heritage of Thatcham.

#UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager, spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford about the University’s Community Engagement Fund and some of the projects that have benefitted from it.

Other coverage:

• BBC News Online, The Reading Chronicle and Bracknell News highlighted collaborations between the University and Shinfield Studios.
• Tuttiglieventi reported on an upcoming talk by Professor Lynne Murray (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences).

Alumni:

• Laura Tobin, Meteorology graduate and weather presenter, spoke to BFBS about her new book.
• Business Review provided further coverage of a talk by Henley Business School graduate and architect Gareth Stapleton.
• Technology expert Hans Jayatissa, who studied at Henley Business school, wrote for Finanzmagazin about quantum security.