Reading in the news - Mon 16 Dec

AI exams:  and The Observer report on how students are using AI to cheat, with reference to a study of the effectiveness of human markers in detecting use of AI. Also in , , , . From our story: AI generated exam answers undetected in real world test.

Business and society:

• reports on a new report co-authored by Henley Business School highlighting the systematic barriers hindering the progression of Black academics in the UK. From our story:
• features a study by Bonga Percy Vilakazi (Henley Business School) who emphasises the need for continuous learning.

Food and farming:

• BBC Radio 4 reports that Andy Howard, winner of the BBC Food and Farming award for future farming, is collaborating with Reading on compost trials.
• The Reading Chronicle and Countryfile on BBC Two report that Ramandeep Nijjar, a second-year Zoology student at Reading, also won a BBC award. From our story: Zoology student named Countryfile Young Countryside Champion.
• features Dr Matthew Ordidge (Crop Science), who emphasises the cultural importance of apples in Britain.
• highlights the University's comprehensive programmes for study of Food Science and Nutrition.

Heritage and culture:

• features Dr Geoff Smith (Archaeology) on the discovery of ancient human DNA, revealing their adaptation to harsh climates and interaction with Neanderthals. Also published in , , , , , , and . From our story: Oldest human DNA reveals family network that spanned Europe.
• The Times Literary Supplement highlights how the archives of Geoffrey Matthews at Reading have proven invaluable in the creation of a new collection of Percy Shelley’s poetry.

Health and wellbeing

• , and highlights research from the University showing that sending encouraging or compassionate text messages increases the sender's happiness.
• reports on a study from Reading that found watching a TV chat show for 30 minutes can boost mental powers.

UniForReading: our role as a civic university

• highlights the Community Vision initiative, which is guided by a steering group including representatives from the University.
• Professor Yelena Kalyuzhnova (Henley Business School) attended the "La Femme Nuage" exhibition in Henley, reports .
•  and Greatest Hits Radio report that University staff donated arts and crafts activity packs to the Rainbow Trust, the University’s Charity of the Year.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) comments to AFP on the record global heat in 2023 and 2024 with coverage in , (Malaysia), and many other global news outlets.
• , and quote Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) on the role of small rivers in flooding.
• quotes Professor Liz Stephens (Meteorology) on the risks created by severe Mediterranean storms.
• New Scientist and features comments from Professor Mathew Owens (Meteorology) on the recent aurora displays.

Other coverage:

Chefs Hadi Roumanos and James Norburn are representing Reading in the Chefs' Challenge in the Competitions 2025.

Alumni:

• highlights Marilyn Hallam, a painter known for her luminous works, who studied fine art at the 色狗导航.
• The Henley Standard (in print) reports on the life of Angela Pengilley, who completed a master's in music in 1996 at the university.
• , , , , , , , , ,, and feature Arthi Rabikrisson, who has been selected as Empowered Woman of the Year by IAOTP and is a MBA graduate from Henley Business School Africa.