Reading in the news - Tue 30 Nov

University Challenge: Reading’s team competed on University Challenge on BBC Two last night, making it through to the quarter finals. The , , and Tay FM Radio Dundee report on Reading’s performance. 

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke’s (Biological Sciences) article on the Omicron variant was published by  He was quoted by  (and in print) on the unknown seriousness of the Omicron virus;  on an ‘unbalanced’ BBC interview with a hard-left scientist who criticised the UK government’s reintroduction of restrictions; and clips from his interview with Associated Press on the Omicron variant were used hundreds of times by a total of 78 broadcasters. Dr Clarke was interviewed on GB News; and 12 regional BBC radio stations, including BBC Radio London.
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) was quoted by  on the UK's capacity to make its own vaccines. 
• Dr Alexander Edwards (Pharmacy) was quoted by , five regional news outlets; and several commercial radio station websites, including , on detecting and dealing with the Omicron variant. He also answered listeners’ questions on BBC Radio Berkshire about booster jabs, vaccinations, and the Omicron variant. 
• Professor Eleanor Dickey (Classics) was interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster on the pronunciation of ‘Omicron’.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• reports on the University being awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize for its work on climate change. Read our news story. 
•  and  report on research led by Dr Bola Oloyede (Food) aimed at helping consumers dispose of food packages in a sustainable way. Read our news story. 
• Dr Anna Macready (Agriculture) was quoted by  on the technology revolution in farming to increase yield and reduce carbon footprint and food waste.

Other Coverage:

•  report on a trial that was independently assessed by Reading that investigated growing phacelia and oil radish cover crops as part of a solution to improve soil organic matter.
• Kevin Mortimer (Head of Operations) was quoted by  on the importance of developing and testing a good disaster recovery plan for if there is an incident online and data is lost. 
• Jon Foster-Pedley (Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa) was quoted by  and  on a paper commissioned by Henley Business School Africa that identifies the best way to lead remote teams. 
• reports on a partnership between Henley Business School and Semicolon Africa to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
• reports on Dr Chris Dalton (Henley Business School) partnering with Management Today to deliver courses on executive education. 
• Dr Neil Cocks (English Literature) was interviewed by BBC Radio Berkshire on 'the uncanny'.  
• , , and  report on a study being supervised by Dr Nilesh Patel (Pharmacy) on the impact of medicine shortages on pharmacies. 
• Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food) was quoted by  on doctors suggesting green, leafy vegetables could ease migraine headaches. 
•  and  report on Wokingham Borough Council’s local plan, which includes potential plans for land owned by the University. Read our statement on the University’s response to the local plan update.
• The Artist (in print) publishes painting tips from Reading graduate and award-winning artist Julie Collins.
• reports on a study conducted by the University that found introducing flavonoids into new mothers' diets improved overall wellbeing.
• The University was mentioned by  on carrying out apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and sponsored student course placements for RS Components.
• An interview on financial inclusion with a Henley graduate was published by . 
• An obituary for a Henley graduate was published by .