Reading in the news - Mon 6 Dec

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was quoted by  on how to have a Covid-safe Christmas; by  on the vaccine's effectiveness; and by , , , , , , The Observer (in print), and more than 100 regional outlets on Omicron's possible ability to evade Covid immunity. He was interviewed on CNN about Omicron and immunity; Russia Today on the NHS's backlog of cancer patients; BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester about vaccines and booster jabs; answered BBC Radio Berkshire's Covid questions; and was quoted by BBC Radio Surrey on Omicron's potential to cause problems in the new year.
• Dr Jayne Morriss (Psychology) was quoted by , , and  on ways of coping with the uncertainty experienced during the pandemic. 
• Dr Alexander Edwards (Pharmacy) was quoted by  on the approval of Novavax: a vaccine recently developed that is safer for children.

Other Coverage:

•  (and in print),  (and in print) and report that Professor Jo Phoenix (Law) has joined the 色狗导航 having quit the Open University over academic freedom issues.
• Plans to build new film studios at Reading's Thames Valley Science Park were reported by Estates Gazette (in print).
• reports on Reading's contribution to the development of the latest Farming Simulator computer game, quoting Dr Yiorgos Gadanakis (Agriculture). Read our news story.
• Emeritus Professor Paul Luna (Typography) was quoted by on what printing used to look like. 
• Jon Foster-Pedley (Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa) was quoted by on Henley Business School Africa's fair and accessible MBA funding opportunities.  
• Research conducted by the University on the diets of calves was mentioned by , , and .
• Visiting Professor Richard Hoyle (History) was quoted by on his description of the town of Wem, in an article about the upcoming election for a new North Shropshire MP.
• The new managing director of Greenland Minerals was mentioned as a Reading graduate by .
• A student from Reading was mentioned by , , and  for becoming an NFU Young Farming Ambassador. 
• A Reading graduate was mentioned by for achieving full-time work after pursuing a placement.
• An obituary for a geologist who studied at the University in the 1950s was published by .