Reading in the news - Mon 22 Feb

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic 

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by , and several US state publications on the Kent variant of the virus potentially becoming widespread in the US; the on risk of infection at hairdressers; on the number of contact tracers being reduced in the UK; and the and on how new variants could evade vaccines. He spoke to Talk Radio and LBC Radio about when lockdown might end. His piece written for was republished by the .
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted by and debunking myths about the safety of vaccines.
• mentions an upcoming short course run by Henley Business School titled ‘Future proof your health care practice’ in an article about technology helping fight against Covid-19.

#WeAreTogether: Reading’s work to tackle the coronavirus crisis

• The new features Dr David Rose (Agriculture) talking about a new research project looking at the impact of the pandemic on farmer mental health.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• The quotes Pro Vice Chancellor Paul Inman on scrutiny of collaborations between UK and Chinese universities. also reports that Mr Inman received the Amity Global Excellence Award for fostering UK and India Academic Cooperation at the INBUSH Era World Summit-2021, organized by Amity International Business School (AIBS) and Amity University Greater Noida.
• publishes an article on surprising facts about the Met Office, including its partnerships with organisations like the É«¹·µ¼º½ and ECMWF

Other coverage

• ITV Meridian interviewed Head of Admissions Kathryn Whittington about student applications ahead of the 2021 UCAS deadline. reports that the University saw a 5% rise in applications. Read our news story.
• reviews Mouthpieces, the new book by Eimear McBride, who completed a Beckett Research Fellowship at the É«¹·µ¼º½, containing three original texts inspired by the work of Samuel Beckett in the Beckett Archive at the University.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Guy Baxter (The MERL) about their 51 Voices project celebrating the museum’s 70^th anniversary. Read our news story.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Professor Roberta Gilchrist (Archaeology) about the recent film The Dig and the true archaeology story it is based on.
• A article on the history of Stonehenge includes research involving Reading PhD researcher Katy Whitaker (Archaeology), sarsen showing where the stones came from. .
• reports comments by Dr Jess Neumann (GES) about Storm Christoph rainfall and flooding seen last month across the country becoming the norm. Read our news story.
• Dr Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj (Henley Business School) was a guest on The Agenda on , talking about whether entrepreneurs are born or made.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Henley Business School graduate and now-CEO of InfoVista Kristian Thyregod about his time at Henley.
• reports on Henley Business School research showing the value of side hustle businesses in an article on unemployment in South Africa.
• and republish an article written for by Professor Michael Ball (Henley Business School) on the negative impact of the stamp duty holiday on the UK on the housing market.
• (Indonesia) reports on research by Dr Tijana Blanusa (Biological Sciences) showing house plants are good for your skin. Read our news story.
• also reports on a book by Emeritus Professor Derek Clements Croome (Built Environment) exploring the health benefits of certain building designs.
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• The Northern Echo reports on Reading research showing covering the walls of buildings with climbing plants helps cool them down.
• reports on a planning tool co-developed by the É«¹·µ¼º½ to improve pest management plans.
• previews this week’s annual Chaplaincy Lecture, this year featuring historian Tom Holland.
• publishes a letter from a Shinfield resident in response to the Vice-Chancellor’s interview on BBC Radio 4 about the impact of the pandemic on universities.