Reading in the news - Tue 14 Dec

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) was interviewed on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2 to discuss Covid risks around Christmas mixing; on GB News and LBC Radio to discuss restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron variant; and he answered BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Hereford and Worcester's Omicron and restrictions questions. He was quoted by the  and  on Omicron's ability to evade immunity; by  on the government's vaccine rollout; and by on how well PCR tests detect the Omicron variant. 
• Professor Richard Bennett (Agriculture) was quoted by  on confidence in agri-food since the start of the pandemic; and he spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about public confidence in the food supply chain since the pandemic began. 
• Dr Jane Parker (Food) was mentioned by , , and  for her part in researching the causes of covid-induced parosmia and phantosmia. 
• Dr Tara Pirie (Biological Sciences) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about how she is dealing with the new restrictions.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) was quoted by  on findings that changes in temperature and wind speed could cause harsher turbulence on flights.

Other Coverage:

• Dr Mark Dallas's (Pharmacy) article on  on risk factors that can determine the likelihood of developing cognitive decline was republished by . 
• Professor Rodney Jones (English Language) was quoted by on his research on an EIT-Food Funded Project, Health Claims Unpacked, which found health claim regulations could be failing to meet objectives. 
• reports on Henley Business School Africa being recognised as the first business school in the country to achieve Level 1 BBBEE. 
• Emeritus Professor Malcolm Barber (History) was quoted by  on the history of the First Crusade. 
• Professor Rajneesh Narula (Henle Business School)  writes for on the importance of policy stability for investment and development.
• quotes the late Professor Colin Gray (formerly Politics & International Relations) on military strategies of the United States and the Soviet Union. 
• Reading was mentioned by  as one of the best Universities in the UK to study creative courses.
• The University was listed by  as a previous attendee of the Cartels Workshop: a Webinar that discusses substantive and procedural EU Developments.  
• The University’s discussion with Wokingham Borough Council over its local plan was mentioned in an Earley Environmental Group newsletter (in print). Read our statement.
• The University sharing its facilities with St Joseph's College was mentioned by . 
•  announces it has promoted a Reading History graduate.