Reading in the news - Mon 2 Dec

Countryfile finalist: announced Ramandeep Nijjar as one of its Countryfile Young Countryside Champion finalists 2024, a Zoology student who was nominated for her dedication to nature conservation. Sara Lovejoy (Digital Campaigns and Engagement) explains why she nominated Ramandeep.

Health and wellbeing:

• , and quotes Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences) on the health benefits of one-ingredient meals. Republished by .
• quotes Professor Simon Clarke (Biomedical Sciences) on the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed by a winter flu surge. Republished by and .

Food and farming:

• A new agroforestry guide co-authored by Dr Tom Breeze (Agriculture) aims to help farmers plant trees in optimal locations on their land. Reported by Farmers Weekly (in print), , and . From our story: Tree species guide unlocks benefits for UK farmers.

Business and society:

• , , and quote Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) on the ethical risks of AI companions.
• reports that researchers from the 色狗导航 have launched a new report exploring the relationships between care and inequalities in transnational families.
• features a study by Dr Peter Scarfe (Psychology) revealing that 94% of AI-generated college writing goes undetected by teachers. Republished by and . From our story: AI generated exam answers undetected in real world test.
• reports on a study evaluating Portugal's four-day workweek pilot, mentioning Dr Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School).
• highlights a workshop co-hosted by the University and ADRI on harnessing AI and machine learning for economic growth.
• highlighted Henley Business School’s ranking in the Financial Times’ 2024 European Business School Rankings.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

• and spoke to Professor Hannah Cloke (Geography/Meteorology) discussing the increasing flood risks.
• Isabel Smith (Meteorology) warns that clear air turbulence will increase with climate change in .
• features Professor Ted Shepherd (Meteorology) discussing the evolving science of extreme weather attribution.
• and  highlights comments from Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) on the dangers of more turbulence. Republished by , , and .
• features Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology) discussing Europa’s potential to support life.
• highlighted Dr James O’Donoghue's (Meteorology) on the theory that an asteroid’s destruction may have given Mars rings and moons.

Other coverage:

• Regional BBC radio stations across the UK, including , , and , replay an interview with Dr Dina Rezk)History( on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which originally aired on BBC Radio 4.
• airs a speech from Yuan Yang, Earley and Woodley MP, who mentions that 3,000 undergraduates from the University are graduating this year.
• reports that the University’s Department of Chemistry will remain open, following discussions to potentially merge it with the School of Pharmacy.
• A article on advice given to University of Cambridge students mentions that Reading recently faced criticism for providing a content warning for some of its biology courses. Republished by and .
• reports on a missing Reading student last seen in Oxford. Thames Valley Police are appealing for information: .
• It is noted in that Professor Kate Williams (History), TV presenter and writer, celebrated her birthday on Saturday.
• publishes an obituary for Gillian Riley, a former book designer and freelancer who taught in the Department of Typography at the University.
• features an overview of a new book about the Macmillan brothers, who founded a publishing house. The article mentions that the author’s research involved her delving into the University’s Special Collections archives.

Alumni:

• Lynn News (in print) reports that a school leaver is studying remotely at the 色狗导航 while working as a chartered surveyor with Maxey Grounds in Wisbech.
• The Reading Chronicle (in print) reports that former Reading mayor Tony Page received a ‘lifetime legend’ award at the Local Government Awards. He is pictured receiving his honorary degree from Reading last year.
• interviews Henley Business School graduate Simona Constantinescu, Operational General Manager at ANA Hotels.
• and mention Mark O'Connor, a rugby player-turned-real estate executive, who studied at Henley Business School.
• James Pepper, a trustee at St Francis Hospice, shared during Trustee Week the significance of helping his local community, reported by .
• Fermín Koop, Latin American editor of Dialogue Earth, discusses the COP29 finale in .
• , , , and highlight the background of Anamaria Gavrila, the leader of the POT party in Romania.