Reading in the news - Mon 14 Oct

Deepfakes:  features Associate Professor Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre and Television) who explained how generative AI was used to add a “voice clone” of Kamala Harris in a misleading campaign video.

Autumn nature: BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Oxford interviewed Dr Chris Foster (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), who discusses the wonders of birdsong, while his colleague Dr Jonathan Mitchley spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Solent and BBC Radio Oxford sharing his enthusiasm for autumn tree colours.

Health and wellbeing:

• ,  and  features insights from Professor Netta Weinstein (Psychology) on solitude. From our story: Alone but not lonely: how solitude boosts wellbeing
•  quotes neuroscientist Bhismadev Chakrabarti (Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences) commenting on recent findings linking the gut microbiome and autism. Republished by 

Food and farming:

•  reports that the Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture, a collaboration of UK agriculture universities including Reading, has published report on future research topics requested by farmers.

Business and society:

•  reports on Henley Business School's latest rankings success. From our story: 
•  reports that Dr Saeed Bagheri (Law) will co-convene a seminar on ‘Teaching International Law in the Digital Era’.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment 

•  features Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) clarifying that HAARP technology cannot cause hurricanes.
•  features Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) on the rarity of Category 5 hurricanes forming in the Gulf of Mexico. Republished by  and .
•  features Dr Helen Hooker (Meteorology), who explains how urban design significantly affects a city's ability to manage floodwaters during extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.
•  features James O'Donoghue (Meteorology), who likens Jupiter's Great Red Spot to a “Great Red Slug”.
•  highlights a Reading study that explores the shape of snowflakes. From our story: Snowflake dance analysis could improve rain forecasts
• LBC Radio interviews Professor Chris Scott (Meteorology) discussing the solar activity cycle and its impact on Earth. Also features in news bulletins: .

Other coverage:

•  reports that the 色狗导航 joined community forums and a steering group to contribute to Wokingham’s Community Vision initiative.
•  highlights the 色狗导航’s position at 26 in the UK and 201-250 range globally. From our story: Reading in UK top 30: THE World University Rankings 2025
• Ahead of the public inquiry into the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, ,  and  quote Professor Gary Stephens (Pharmacology).From our expert comment: 
•  reports on expenses claimed by UK university leaders, and includes comment from Professor Robert Van de Noort.  Republished by 
• BBC Asian Network interviews the President of the Kashmir Society highlighting the significance of representation for students from both Indian-administered and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
• BBC Radio Berkshire mentions upcoming talk organised by the University Chaplaincy on the importance of understanding AI.