HealthHumanities UoR

Black and white portrait of an John Percival wearing academic robes and a polka dot tie against a dark background.

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

John Percival helped establish agricultural botany at Reading and his 1921 study of wheat became a cornerstone of crop science.

As food security and climate resilience dominate global debate, his work still underpins research today.

#UoR100

Portrait of Prof Robert Van de Noort, Vice Chancellor of University of Reading, alongside a campus sign and a message about climate change and sustainability efforts.

Climate change is not a distant threat. It is already shaping life in Berkshire and beyond.

In his latest column in Reading Today, Professor Robert Van de Noort, reflects on the extreme weather we are experiencing locally and why the work of the IPCC matters to communities like ours.

#UoR100

Disasters like the 2021 European floods slip through the cracks because current systems are built to wait for absolute certainty. Jeff Da Costa details how this cause governments to act slowly in the face of a sudden emergency for The Conversation UK

🔗 rdg.ac/3OgKiST

Workshops for the IPCC are currently underway at University of Reading and indigenous knowledge is at the core of the agenda!

Prof Hannah Cloke explains the importance of listening to community voices on the crucial climate issues they face to formulate better responses 🔗 rdg.ac/4ktzXPz

Celebrate the diversity of #language on 23 Feb! 🌍

Join CeLM at @uniofreading.bsky.social for International Mother Language Day.

Explore how we communicate through speech, sign and symbols, and meet researchers working on multilingualism.

Free & open to the community. Register now: bit.ly/4qooHFm

In the currents of the oceans and the clouds in the sky, the unfortunate climactic consequences of human activity are evident. For The Conversation UK, Ed Hawkins discusses how we might wipe clean our fossil fuel 'fingerprints' from the atmosphere if we act now.

🔗 rdg.ac/4ayZ544

University of Reading campus with modern buildings under a partly cloudy sky, highlighting major IPCC climate workshops hosted there.

Reading to host major IPCC expert workshops shaping the future of climate science

We are delighted that the IPCC will bring two major international workshops to University of Reading in collaboration with the UK Government and Met Office - weather and climate next month.

👉 https://rdg.ac/3ZaWg2K

Measurement Heretics: A Reading Group in Human(e) Sciences The Measurement Lab's monthly online reading group. Each paper will have an author's/commentator’s introduction, and have group discussion.

📖 Our Measurement Heretics monthly reading group looks at work that engages with scientific, medical, and social measuring practices of past and present ⚖️

It's free to attend, online and open to all! The next session is 17 Feb, 3.30-5pm.

Find out more & sign up 👇
www.durham.ac.uk/research/ins...

Spirituality, Health and Wellbeing: ‘Contemplative Radicals’ Dr Ori Mautner discusses how left-wing Israeli ‘Engaged Dharma’ activists integrate ethical self-care and fraught political action.

📅 On Thursday 5 February, we're hosting a hybrid seminar organised by the Spirituality, Health and Wellbeing research theme – 'Contemplative Radicals', with speaker Dr Ori Mautner.

⌚ 10:30am–12pm

Find out more & book your free spot 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spirituali...

Is consciousness unique to humans and animals, or does it permeate all of reality even down to an atomic level? University of Reading philosopher Dr. Walter Veit has some strong reservations about the idea of 'panpsychism'

Read his thoughts on the topic in our latest blog post: rdg.ac/4bbSptC

Are you a local organisation, performer or University of Reading researcher?

Then apply now to take part in our Centenary Community Festival on Saturday 16 May.

Submit your application by Friday 30 January at: rdg.ac/CommunityFestival

Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, wearing a blue suit and red tie holding an open box with a medal, standing outside near historic stone walls and a tree under a clear blue sky.

Congratulations to Prof. Andrew Charlton-Perez on being officially appointed OBE this week at Windsor Castle

He is recognised for his outstanding contribution to climate science and climate education, including as leadership of the national Climate Ambassadors Scheme.

More 👉 https://rdg.ac/45d5JtP

NBIC Expands National Consortia with Sixth Accession Round - NBIC The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) Expands National Consortia - welcoming 10 additional UK research institutions.

The University of Reading has joined the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC)'s consortium of research institutions and businesses, dedicated to shaping the future of biofilm science and delivering lasting impact for industry and society.
https://rdg.ac/4aXaviR

Indoor air pollution is a global health issue, not just a domestic heating one - Connecting Research

Indoor air pollution is a global health threat.

Dr Scott Mahadeo's new study shows that deaths linked to indoor air pollution aren't just a development issue - they reflect global inequalities in energy access and healthcare.

Seasonal Bodies: Weather, Movement, and Wellbeing Join us for a hybrid roundtable on “Seasonal Bodies: Weather, Movement, and Wellbeing”.

📆 On Tuesday 20 January, join us for a roundtable event on “Seasonal Bodies: Weather, Movement, and Wellbeing”.

We'll bring together research on how seasonal rhythms shape everyday practices, moods & collective ways of living ☀️🌒

Join us online or in-person 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seasonal-b...

University of Reading named official host of a global university alliance addressing climate change.

As the University of Reading begins its year of Centenary celebrations, we are proud to commence our important new role as hosts to the International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA).

Learn more about the work of IUCA, at: https://rdg.ac/49JwbOb

Green background with white text 'Creating possibilities for tomorrow' above a decorative pattern and a URL reading.ac.uk/centenary.

Welcome to the University of Reading's Centenary year.

Over the next 12 months we'll be celebrating 100 years of UoR by connecting our community, our actions and our impact through a series of events, shared stories and much, much more.

Visit https://rdg.ac/3MXzd8S to find out more.

Professor Anna Horwood wearing a red top and silver necklace, standing outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Anna Horwood from UoR School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences who has been appointed MBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to Orthoptics and Research in Visual Development.

Read the full article now: https://rdg.ac/4pXkOI5

Reading Students' Union and the University of Reading present the 2026 Centenary Community Festival on Saturday 16 May at Whiteknights Campus and Sunday 17 May at Forbury Gardens. Apply now to take part if as a seller, performer or University of Reading researchers at rdg.ac/communityfestival

Are you a local organisation, performer or University of Reading researcher?

Then apply now to take part in our Centenary Community Festival on Saturday 16 May.

Submit your application by Friday 30 January at: rdg.ac/CommunityFestival

It was a great year for our The Conversation UK authors, and we’re buzzing to see what interesting stories come out of research in 2026!

Want to read more? Head to rdg.ac/3Ky3ryt to browse all our articles!

Follow us here for the latest in University of Reading research🔬

What’s it like being a raven or a crow? - Connecting Research Many of us as children may have wondered what's going on inside the mind of an animal – what are they thinking and feeling?

Ever wonder what it’s like to be inside the mischievous mind of a crafty corvid like a raven or a crow? Philosophers Drs Dr Heather Browning (Veit) and Dr. Walter Veit have pondered this question of consciousness too. Get inside their mind in this piece for The Conversation UK

🔗 rdg.ac/3SRoEnk

Three reasons buffets can be a recipe for a health disaster – and how to keep diners safe - Connecting Research You pile your plate high at the buffet, savouring the freedom to try a little bit of everything. But while your tastebuds might be celebrating, your gut could be at risk.

When you pile up your plate at the buffet, you might also be ladling on heaps of harmful bacteria due to the way these meals are set up. For The Conversation UK Dr Kimon-Andreas Karatzas explains the risks and how to stay safe! 🍽️ #healthsky

🔗 rdg.ac/4pDXpeJ

Close-up of six ancient bone fragments with arrows highlighting specific markings and scale bars for size reference.

Roman urban life may have come at a cost to health.

New research reveals that people living in Roman towns experienced poorer health, while rural communities were largely unaffected.

Rebecca Pitt’s study highlights how early life stress shaped health across generations.
👀: https://rdg.ac/4j12sUa

Professor Suzanne Graham and Dr Anthony Zhang from the Institute of Education have won BERA's Public Engagement & Impact Award for for using digital tools to improve foreign language learning and teaching in UK primary schools.

🔗 https://rdg.ac/3KSMkHt

Emetophobia: what it’s like to have a fear of vomiting - Connecting Research Emetophobia can have a serious impact on a person’s daily life.

Vomiting isn’t the most pleasant thing about human existence; but for some, the fear of being sick can be all consuming.

Psychology PhD candidate Molly Sheila Harbor shed light on what it’s like to live with emetophobia for @uk.theconversation.com back in November. #sciencesky

🔗 rdg.ac/4r7b27n

Centenary Community Festival 2026 - Connecting Research The University of Reading’s annual Community Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the amazing research, creativity and community spirit that make Reading special.

🎉 The University of Reading's annual Community Festival returns on 16-17 May 2026 and you're invited to get involved!

This year we're celebrating 100 years of innovation, community and global impact.

Find out how you can participate and complete the application form. 👇

New research shows bigger animals get more cancer, defying decades-old belief - Connecting Research In this blog, Karen Jones, Associate Professor in Educational Leadership and Management, sheds new light on the lived experiences of women academics by exposing the hidden ways in which academic struc...

Kicking off, we’re starting with a scientific myth dispelled.

Elephants don’t get cancer, right? Well, a study by evolutionary biologist Joanna Baker and UCL cancer researcher George Butler showed that in fact the opposite might be true!

@uk.theconversation.com #sciencesky

🔗 rdg.ac/4aA6OPI

“Understanding bacterial warfare could open new doors for AMR treatment”

New research by Connor Sharp, University of Reading & Kevin R. Foster, University of Oxford in Nature Communications reveals how superbugs use protein “weapons” to kill rivals.

Read the full story: https://rdg.ac/4a3h6ry

The Curious Case of the Contagious Violence in Kerala – a blog post from our PhD student Joe Varghese

research.reading.ac.uk/health-human...

Event alert!
Children's Winter Lecture 2025
17th December (4:30pm-6pm)
Palmer G.10 Lecture Theatre, Whiteknights Campus