Reading in the news - Tue 5 Oct

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• , , and quoted Dr Simon Clarke's (Biological Sciences) on Covid antibody tests; new antiviral Covid pills in , ,,  and ; on Covid's continued spread on, , ; and about a gene that determines the severity of Covid-19 on .  
• Dr Alexander Edwards (Pharmacy) answered listeners questions on BBC Radio Berkshire.  
• Dr Rachel McCloy (Psychology) explained the importance of listening to public health experts, rather than panic buying, to . 

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography / Meteorology) spoke to BBC Radio 4鈥檚 The Life Scientific about her research about severe flooding. In addition,  and others quote Professor Cloke on the pressure that fire-fighters will likely experience as floods continue to worsen and budget cuts affect their department.
• ,  and reported on a research project about record-breaking 2020 mei-yu rainfall and flooding throughout China. Dr Ambrogio Volont茅 (Meteorology) is mentioned.
• Professor Theodore Shepherd (Meteorology) spoke with  about his work in large-scale atmospheric dynamics and circulation and its role in climate change
•  cover a new project to share environmentally-friendly beef farming practices, mentioning Professor Chris Reynolds (Agriculture).
• Professor Bryan Lawrence's (Meteorology) presentation, which was part of ECMWF'S biennial event on the use of high-performance computing in meteorology, was mentioned on .

#UniForReading: reaffirming our role as a civic university 

• The first instalment of a new monthly column by the University鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, is featured in . The column focuses on the launch of Cine Valley at the University-owned Thames Valley Science Park - the opportunities this will provide for staff and students and a boost for the local economy.
• A new collaboration between The University's Walker Institute and Microsoft, which aims to develop more solutions to climate threats worldwide, was reported by . 

Black History Month: Martina Mabale De Burgos, a student currently on placement with Student Services, spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the University鈥檚 involvement with Black History Month which takes place across October. 

Other Coverage:

• Professor Ian Givens (Agriculture) was quoted by  on the nutritional value of plant-based milks.
• Research by Professor Andrew Kakabadse (Henley Business School) is reported by  in relation to positive board culture.
• Further coverage of former student Peter Schneck being announced as the new CEO of CENIT by .