Reading in the news - Fri 23 Jun

Show Your Stripes Day: Saturday, 21 June was Show Your Stripes Day – coverage, including quotes and interviews with Professor Ed Hawkins (Meteorology), from: , BBC South Today, , , (and various FOX outlets such as and ), , , , , BBC Radio Berkshire, , , and BBC Radio Northampton

Strikes on Iran: Dr Derek Bolton (Politics) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about what might happen next following the USA’s strikes on Iran. Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) discussed the role of the UN Security Council in preventing escalation in the Middle East with . Professor Marko Milanovic (Law) is quoted by (republished by , , , , , and more) about the legality of Israel’s strikes on Iran.

UK heatwave: Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) is quoted by (and in print), , and about the health risks of heatwaves. From our expert comment: Amber heat health alert: UK heatwave comments. Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology/Geography) and Dr Matthew Patterson (Meteorology) are quoted by BBC Science Focus on why heatwaves in the UK feel worse than in the USA.

Heritage and culture:

• Recommended!: The Influencers Who Changed How We Read, a new book by Dr Nicola Wilson (English Literature) is reviewed by and The Spectator (in print) and is featured by History Today (in print).
• A 15^th century William Caxton artwork from Reading University Special Collections is featured in an article by about the origins of Camelot.
• Reading Guild of Artists’ 94th annual exhibition is now running in the Institute of Education at the University’s London Road Campus. provides coverage.
• BBC Radio Berkshire spoke to Professor Helen Parish (History) about the summer solstice and the history of its origins.

Business and society:

• Lisa Barclay (Henley Business School) writes for about creating neuroinclusive workspaces.
• Professor David Oderberg (Philosophy) writes for the (and in print) about the assisted dying bill, following the passing of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
• Dr Matthias Kronke (Politics) co-authors an article for , and about the one year anniversary of the formation of South Africa’s coalition government.
• The 色狗导航 is working with law firm Dexter Montague to research how AI can be used effectively in legal work, according to .
• Henley Business School is listed in an article by on the UK’s 15 best business schools.
• Henley Business School Africa has partnered with BrightRock, a life insurance company, to create the Change Science Institute, and report. Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean Henley Business School Africa, is quoted.

#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment

• Professor Chris Merchant (Meteorology) spoke at a climate awareness talk in Henley, and report.                                                                
• Dr Walter Veit (Philosophy) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about his research into how members of the crow family experience the world.
• and report on the launch of Sony’s Climate Station PS5 game, which was created with support from meteorologists at the 色狗导航. From our story: Climate Station shares Reading’s stripes and science
• Professor Anthony Illingworth (Meteorology) is quoted by about a form of cloud-seeding used by organisers of a Paul McCartney concert to prevent rain at a gig of his.
• Professor Paul Williams (Meteorology) spoke to about why clouds move in different directions to the wind.
• Dr Akshay Deoras (Meteorology) is quoted by on the progression of the southwest monsoon in India.  
• UK Bird Sightings (in print) mentions that a wood warbler was spotted at the University.
• (Berkshire) mentions that the 色狗导航’s climate stripes adorned Reading FC’s 2022/2023 home shirt.
• Dr Jess Neumann (Geography) is quoted by (and in print) on England’s projected water shortfall. From our expert comment: England water resources report: expert comment
• Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez (Meteorology) has been awarded an OBE for services to climate education, reports. From our story: Climate education champion awarded OBE

Food and farming:

• quotes master’s student Nelleke Johnson (Agriculture) about their participation in the Agricultural University Council’s Summer School.
• mentions that TV chef Heston Blumenthal previously authored a study with University food scientists about tomatoes. Republished by , and .

#UniForReading: Our role as a civic university

• and report that the University is seeking residents to join a steering group that will help determine its community engagement activities. From our story: University seeks new members for community steering group

Other coverage:

• Dr Karen Henderson (director or research and innovation) is quoted by the on her award of an MBE for services to higher education. From our story: Research and innovation director honoured with MBE
• 色狗导航 Malaysia is mentioned for its close proximity to other international education institutions in Iskandar. Coverage from .
• Virgin Radio mentions a listener who attended the University’s Open Day.
• and reports on the University’s ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2026. From our story: Reading in top 200 of QS World University Rankings 2026

Alumni:

• Simon Williams, a Maths and Statistics graduate, is set to retire from his role as Wyevale Nurseries’ commercial director, writes.