Reading in the news - Tue 15 Apr
15 April 2025

Working from home: BBC Politics South, BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC South Today quote Dr Melissa Carr (Henley Business School) on the rise in return-to-office mandates by companies like Amazon and major London banks.
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
quotes Professor Hannah Cloke (Meteorology/Geography) and Ilan Kelman on the economic and energy impacts of increasingly frequent ‘tropical nights’ in Europe, as described in the publication of the European State of the Climate report. Republished by , , , , , and various other UK news outlets. From our story: European State of the Climate report: expert comments
quotes Dr Xiangbo Feng (Meteorology) on marine heatwaves becoming more frequent and severe. Republished by , and . From our story: Extreme marine heatwaves have tripled over the past 80 years
reports on a new study, Dr Matthias Kroenke (Politics and International Relations), that found most people from 39 African countries blame their government for climate change.
, , and quote Professor Sarah Dance (Mathematics/Meteorology) on the challenges of AI forecasting.
Heart Radio Berkshire reported that the University has been ranked number one in the UK for its eco-friendly attitude. From our story: International students praise Reading’s green values
BBC Lincolnshire mentions research that suggests adders could "all but disappear from the UK countryside by 2032" due to stress. From our story:
Health and wellbeing:
and BBC Radio Berkshire report that Professor Claire Williams (Psychology) led a study showing that eating 50g of walnuts for breakfast can improve memory and reaction time. Republished by . From our story: Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function
features comments from Dr Francesco Tamagnini (Pharmacy), who comments on the impact of statins on preventing dementia.
features comments from Professor Gunter Kuhnle (Food and Nutritional Sciences), who warned that avoiding ultra-processed foods could increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Food and farming:
reports on research from the University highlighting that plants treated with silicon biostimulants, such as kale, show improved drought resistance.
Heritage and culture:
mentions Dr Dominic Lees’ (Film, Theatre & Television) contributions to the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee’s report on the future of British film and TV. From our story: Back British film now, says report created with expert’s aid
Business and society:
quotes Dr Melissa Carr on the importance of the importance of robust HR policies.
quotes Dr Matthias Kroenke (Politics and International Relations) on a new study examining how representative African MPs are.
and Legal Moves (in print) publish an article by Vincenzo Raimo, Visiting Fellow at the University, on the financial impacts of international student recruitment.
quotes Professor Davide Castellani (Henley Business School) on how US businesses can ease the impact of President Trump’s new international trade tariffs. Republished by .
interview Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) on the effect US government agency DOGE will have on UN agencies.
BBC Radio Berkshire interviewed Dr Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School) on employees’ productivity levels when working from home.
Alumni:
, , , , , and highlight Nomvula Zeldah Mabuza, MBA candidate at Henley Business School, South Africa, for her views on strategic risk management during uncertain times. Republished by and .
and report that Hong Kah North MP Dr Amy Khor, who holds a doctorate in real estate, will retire from politics.
highlights Brenda Talazo, who is enhancing the HR function at Saab. She holds an MBA from Henley Business School.