University of Reading

The University of Reading has been named Runner-up University of the Year for Sustainability 2027 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. The University was also highly ranked at 35 overall in the guide's UK university rankings, reflecting Reading's continued strength across teaching, research and student experience.

Times University Guide 2027: Reading has been named as Sustainable University of the Year Runner-up and is ranked at 35 overall in the UK, in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. Coverage also in Wales Online and The Argus. Read our story: Times University Guide Food, farming and health: Professor John Hammond (Crop Science) was quoted by Farmer’s Weekly (print) about growing lupin.

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Gory stories: The Times (print) featured Blood, Guts and Nasty Cuts by Dr Alanna Skuse (English Literature) as their children’s book of the week. Food, farming and health: A study by Dr Maria Maiarú (Pharmacy) on how magic mushrooms can treat nerve pain was featured by Germanic News. From our story: Magic mushroom chemical cuts nerve pain and enhances drug Professor Katrina Bicknell (Pharmacy) was quoted by Pharmaceutical Journal about weight loss drug outcomes.

Senior leaders from across the UK food and agriculture sectors are gathering today (Wednesday, 16 September 2026) at the University of Reading to tackle one of the country's most pressing challenges: how to shape food systems to deliver better public health, reduce environmental footprint, and strengthen long-term food security.

Business and society: Dr Rita Fontinha (Henley Business School) was quoted by Newsweek on four-day working weeks. Professor Etienne Roesch (Psychology) wrote for Times Higher Education about university research culture, highlighting Professor Parveen Yaqoob (Food and Nutritional Sciences) and Research Data Manager Robert Darby.

Communication is at the heart of effective therapy, yet autistic and non-autistic people can experience and interpret communication in very different ways. When these differences are not recognised, misunderstandings can arise, creating barriers to trust, engagement and positive therapeutic outcomes. In this practical talk, Ann Wilson explores what autistic adults have told us about their experiences of communication during Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Stargazing Saturday: Thames Gazette reported on the upcoming Observe the Moon Night 2026, quoting Dr James O’Donoghue (Meteorology). From our story: Moon samples land at Reading for NASA observation night AI-dventures in time and space: Dr Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre, and Television) was quoted by The Telegraph about an AI generated fan-made Dr Who episode.

Legacy of 9/11: Professor Harmonie Toros (Politics and International Relations) was quoted by Aljazeera, Guyana Inquirer, Yahoo News and others about the legacy and language of post-9/11 US foreign policy. Business and society: Full Fact quoted Dr Dominic Lees (Film, Theatre, and Television) on a deepfake video of Mark Zuckerberg. Professor Rosa Freedman (Law) was interviewed by Bulgarian TV channel BNR News on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and new UK government sanctions.

14 September 2026 Samples of the Moon will be available to view up close at the University of Reading as stargazers get set for an evening of celebrating Earth’s nearest neighbour. Rocks recovered from the NASA Apollo Moon missions will be displayed at Whiteknights campus on Saturday, 24 October, accompanied by outdoor stargazing and a series of talks for International Observe the Moon Night 2026.