Reading in the news - Mon 22 Mar

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) spoke to LBC Radio about the UK’s vaccine program; and about vaccines and travel restrictions; , the and the on the UK’s vaccine delay; and about the risks posed by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall’s planned visit to Greece. BBC Radio 5 Live interviewed Dr Clarke on the low protection vaccines might offer againt different virus variants.
• Dr Al Edwards (Pharmacy) answered listeners’ questions on BBC Radio Berkshire on the risk to the UK of the third wave being seen in some European countries.
• Professor Jon Gibbins (Biological Sciences) is quoted by on blood clotting concerns around the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) is quoted in a separate article on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

• Professor James Reade (Economics) writes a article on his research into how home advantage has changed while games are played behind closed doors.

#UniForReading: reaffirming our role as a civic university –

• interviewed Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor, about how the University is contributing to the development of the Thames Valley area, following his involvement in the Thames Valley Development Conference.

Post-Brexit landscapes: The Sunday Times reports on Reading research suggesting agricultural policy changes post-Brexit could lead to a large increase in the number of trees in the UK.

Other coverage:

• The quotes Professor Martin Bell (Archaeology) on plans to build on peatland potentially threatening undiscovered archaeological finds.
• Professor Wing Lam, Provost and CEO of É«¹·µ¼º½ Malaysia, writes for (Malaysia) about ways universities are innovating.
• Professor Matt Worley (History) is quoted by on London in the 1970s and how the song Tube Station at Midnight by The Jam was inspired.
• , , and report on trials being led by the É«¹·µ¼º½ of using drones to deliver electrical charge to clouds to induce rainfall.
• Commercial radio stations across the UK played comments by Professor Kate Williams (History) on the importance of the Census survey.
• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Harriet Atkinson from the University of Brighton about her research on the latest item to be featured from the Museum’s 51 Voices project to celebrate its 70^th anniversary. .

• BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Professor Chris Reynolds (Agriculture) about their trials feeding seaweed to cows to see if they emit less methane.
• reports on the ‘space hurricane’ identified for the first time by researchers including Professor Mike Lockwood at the É«¹·µ¼º½. Read our news story.
• (China) mentions the É«¹·µ¼º½ in an explainer article on high-ranked universities in the UK.
• republishes a blog written for by Dr Jorge Guira on how high oil prices might affect the transition to renewable energy.
• Professor Uma Kambhampati (SPEIR) co-signs a letter to the arguing against research funding cuts announced by the UK government.
• Building magazine mentions a digital consultation being co-run by the University, gathering thoughts on housebuilders, in a feature looking at home design and wellbeing.
• The reports that plans for the temporary film studios submitted by Shinfield Studios on land next to Thames Valley Science Park, after an agreement was reached with the University last year, are up for approval this week. Read our news story.
• reports that all É«¹·µ¼º½ marketing degrees will now include CIM accreditation. Read our news story.
• reports on ITV weather presenter Laura Tobin’s impressive performance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, mentioning that she is a Reading graduate.
• includes Henley Business School Africa in its list of the top 10 business schools in Africa.
• recounts tales linking Foxhills House on Whiteknights Campus with occultist Aleister Crowley.