Reading in the news - Fri 11 Feb

COVID-19: expert comment on the pandemic

• Dr Simon Clarke (Biological Sciences) is quoted by the , , , , , ,  (and in print), and others on the upcoming early end of isolation rules in the UK and a separate article in  (and in print) examining that decision; and by the  and others on the reliability of data from the ZOE app which has suggested UK cases are now falling. Dr Clarke is quoted by BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Scotland; spoke to BBC Radio 5 and BBC Radio London; and was interviewed by  on the implications of scrapping isolation rules in the UK.
• Dr Rachel McCloy (Psychology) is also quoted by  (and in print) on concerns over removing mandatory isolation for those infected with Covid. 
• Professor Ian Jones (Biological Sciences) and Dr Clarke are quoted by the  and others on the discovery of early Covid mutations in a soil sample.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• , , , and  report on Reading research on how electric charge in clouds can cause rainfall, quoting project lead Professor Giles Harrison (Meteorology).
• Dr Robbie Girling and Dr James Ryalls (Agriculture) are quoted by  and  on research that revealed the effects of pollution on pollinators' ability to smell crops and wildflowers. Read our news story.

Other Coverage:

• Research from the University on the price of a time-of-use energy tariff is mentioned by the , , (and in print).
• Collaborative University research on the spread of the Black Death is reported by . Read our news story. 
• A repeated episode of Food Unwrapped on Channel 4 features Professor Lisa Methven (Food and Nutritional Sciences) explaining the differences in taste receptors and how that influences why some people do not like artificial sweeteners.
• Professor Jane Setter (English Language) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about the Berkshire accent. 
• Professor Adrian Palmer (Henley Business School) is quoted by  on changes in marketing tactics. 
• A certification involving Henley Business School lecturers that provides training to become omni-channel managers is mentioned by .
• Psychology scholarships offered by the University are mentioned by .
• A Henley Business School student is mentioned by  for being awarded the highest membership grade for his dedication to the business community. 
• A PhD student from the University is quoted by  on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes over neglect in the Nigerian university sector.
• A University student's performance in Berkshire's under 20's rugby team is reported by .
•  reports on a Reading graduate's new career at Airtel Africa, leading its strategy, partnership and sustainability roadmap.
• The University is mentioned in a property feature in (and in print) as being in close proximity to Earley.