Fortnightly news for staff | 22 May 2008 | 482

Bulletin

New research facilities open at CEDAR

Front cover: The cover image shows state of the art milking facilities, part of the multi-million pound refurbishment at CEDAR. See page 3.The Bulletin can be found online at www.reading.ac.uk/bulletin where you can read a pdf of this issue and access archived issues of past Bulletins.

The Bulletin is published in-house fortnightly during term time. Items are welcomed from every member of the University and should be sent, marked ‘Bulletin’, to Carol Derham Communications, DEAO Whiteknights The University of Reading Reading RG6 6AH email bulletin@reading.ac.uk

Please note that we reserve the right to edit items and not all material may be used. Free small ads from University members will be included if space permits.

Copy date for the edition published on 19 June is 5 June.

The Bulletin is typeset by Diana Arnold in Communications, DEAO and is printed by Advent Colour, Andover

IN THE NEWS: As a world-renowned research and teaching institution, the University of Reading is rarely

out of the local, national and international media. This is a selection of media appearances by members of the University and press cutting summaries which highlight the important work being done by the staff and students of the University. View all ‘In the news’ items at www.reading.ac.uk/about/about-readinginthenews2008.asp

31 March Dr David Ward (Clinical Language Sciences) gave an interview to BBC Radio Oxford together with an adult client from his clinical practice on the features of the speech/language disorder of cluttering, and the often severe impact that it can have on social life and professional development. The interview prompted a number of responses from listeners who recognized the diagnostic features in their speech. Many had been concerned by these, but were previously unaware of the existence of this disorder, or that treatment was possible.

22 April, BBC Radio Berkshire Dr Graham Crampton (Economics), a transport policy specialist, was interviewed live by Andrew Peach about the Competition Commission’s announcement that the British Airports Authority’s dominant position in the UK might not be in the public interest.

25 April, Reading Evening Post Professor Laurence Harwood (Chemistry) has been awarded over £63,000 to develop his novel method for the synthesis of peptides, which are molecules that are increasingly being used as new drugs to treat serious diseases like HIV and cancer.

28 April, Reading Evening Post The University is one of a number of institutions which has joined the new regional Rural Research and Strategy Partnership, which plans to improve rural development in the South East.

28 April, Financial Times Professor Chris Brooks (Business School) is part of a research team that found hedge fund managers in danger of missing out on lucrative performance fees routinely raise their exposure to risk, in a gamble to meet their performance targets.

29 April, BBC 1 - The One Show Dr David Ward (Clinical Language Sciences) appeared on the BBC 1 programme, offering expert comment on the use of “filler words” in speech.

30 April, Reading Evening Post Wantage Hall, which was opened in 1908 and is the University’s first example of student accommodation, has been given Grade II listed building status.

1 May, BBC South Today The BBC reported on the opening of the University’s new multi-million pound Animal Science and Nutrition Research facilities at the Centre for Dairy Research.

2008 marks the twentieth anniversary of the University’s first Government-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership project (KTP).

The aim of KTP is to use the expertise of the academic staff to help local companies develop new products and services, boosting competitiveness and the profitability of companies as the key aim.

In the last 20 years the University has been involved in over 150 projects utilising expertise from construction management through to typography. To celebrate this

achievement the University hosted many of the past beneficiaries of these projects at a drinks reception at MERL on 21 May.

The Head of Knowledge Transfer at the University, Kate Darby, commented: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating the University’s work to help local companies to access the grant funding and expertise available at the University of Reading in this way. Working through Knowledge Transfer Partnership grants and other funding mechanisms allows the lecturers to get involved in

20 years of KTP

solving “real world” problems and provides benefits to businesses and students alike.’

2 May, Asian Voice Professor Julia Slingo (Meteorology) briefs Anil Padhra on the effects of climate change on the Indian summer monsoon.

6 May, The Guardian An investigation into the rise of

‘contract cheating’, a cheap and easy way for UK students to get small businesses to do their coursework. With expert comment from Guy Haworth (Systems Engineering).

6 May, Financial Times Emeritus Professor Derek Clements-Croome (Construction Management and Engineering) says that plants and greenery improve the working environment

– not the odd pot plant but plants that are designed into the space.

10 May, Talk Radio Network Professor Kevin Warwick (Systems Engineering) talks to one of the US’s national radio stations about cyborgs and his research into artificial intelligence, control, robotics and biomedical engineering.

Professor Viv Edwards (National Centre for Language and Literacy, Bulmershe Court) has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an international network of influencers and innovators who support the aims of the RSA.

left to right: Frances Young, Susan Matos, Kate Darby, Diana Reynell, Sheila Gainey

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The University has opened multi-million pound Animal Science and Nutrition Research facilities at the Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) as it is announced that the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development has topped The Guardian University Guide for 2009 for agriculture.

The top rating for agriculture teaching and learning at Reading reflects the high achievements, satisfaction, and employability of students at the University.

The Animal Science and Nutrition research facilities, officially opened on 1 May, are the best of their kind in Europe, if not the world, and the centre is one of only three in the EU to conduct studies through the food chain from animal feed through to health outcomes for humans.

Judith Batchelor, Director of Brand, Sainsbury’s, who attended the opening of the facilities, said: ‘This £5.3 million investment at Reading could not come at a better time for the UK food and farming industry. The valuable work that Reading does on animal science, nutrition, and environmental impact of food production systems, plays a vital part in Sainsbury’s being able to develop food supply chains that are sustainable for all, and provide our customers with products that bear scrutiny and that address their concerns.’

Professor Ian Givens, Professor of Animal Science, said: ‘The research facilities are truly world class and the research carried out here will become increasingly nationally and globally significant. The new facilities are testament that the University recognises the significance of these areas of research and has confidence in the

The School of Systems Engineering is hosting this year’s prestigious Loebner Prize for Artificial Intelligence.

This competition is sponsored by American scientist and philanthropist Dr Hugh Loebner. The event will take place on Sunday 12 October in the Palmer Building.

The 2008 Prize is the 18th consecutive contest based on 20th century British mathematician and code-breaker Alan

Turing’s testTuring’s text-based measure for machine intelligence. Little did Turing know, when he wrote his now famous, oft discussed ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence,’ published in the journal Mind in 1950, that text-mediated communication, through emails and mobile text messages, would be a major interaction platform between humans across the globe in the 21st century.

Turing devised a Test, an imitation game

in which a machine conversationally imitates a human. A judge, sitting in another room, has to decide which is the human and which is the machine during a text-based conversation.

Professor Kevin Warwick will be seeking judges for the preliminary round during June and July. If anyone is interested and would like to participate or would like more information please email k.warwick@reading.ac.uk or h.shah@reading.ac.uk

School of Agriculture, Policy and Development. It will benefit the School, the Faculty of Life Sciences and the entire University, making it possible to look at issues as a whole, involving expertise from across the University and not working in isolation.’

Vice-Chancellor, Gordon Marshall; Professor Richard Ellis, Head of School of Agriculture, Policy and Development and Judith Batchelor, Director of Brand, Sainsbury’s

New CEDAR facilities

Some of the University’s cows inspect their visitors at the opening

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2008 Chevening fellows at the Farewell Ceremony with the members of the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies.

Professor David Ezra and Professor Geoff Mitchell from the School of Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics have received an investment of £50,000 to develop the next generation of security holograms.

The award from the CommercialiSE Proof of Concept Fund is to develop a way of adding a second image to any

new

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standard hologram that can be seen only when looking at it through a polarising filter costing a few pence.

This advance will make it much easier to identify a hologram as genuine. This new hologram will also be considerably more difficult to counterfeit, particularly as the material used is not on the open

Security of hologramsmarket but restricted in the same way as bank note materials.

Professor Mitchell said: ‘Buying a counterfeit ticket for a sporting event is extremely annoying but this is trivial compared to the problem of counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs, which are a real problem in less regulated countries. Counterfeits are likely to contain harmful ingredients or no effective ingredients at all. This new hologram can positively identify which are genuine.’

Sue O’Hare who is Head of the University Technology Transfer Team that managed the funding said: ‘The Technology Transfer Team has a strong record of supporting commercialisable ideas and translating these into fundable projects. We are looking forward to identifying a route for licensing this technology which has been patented’

For more information on Technology Transfer at the University of Reading and to learn more about CommercialiSE and other types of funding please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/res/techtransfer/techtransfer.htm or send queries to m.l.james@reading.ac.uk

of the Centre. Their contribution to this project was an invaluable asset of the programme. It was a pleasure to work with them this year and we look forward to our continued working relations in the future.’

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tony Downes, who presented the students with their certificates, added: ‘Reading is

Chevening Students excel once again in Economics of Energy Programme.

The Centre for Euro-Asian Studies has successfully completed the 3rd Chevening Fellowship Programme

“Economics of Energy” which has been running at the University since 2006, and currently receives significant investment from the Home Office as a programme of particular importance in training the world’s leaders in this area.

At the farewell ceremony, the Fellows stressed: ‘Each of us arrived with one experience; now each of us will return home with 14 different types of experience.’ Dr Yelena Kalyuzhnova of the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies, Director of the Chevening Programme said: ‘We in the Centre are very lucky to develop these unique relations with industry. The simple secret of success of the Chevening Fellowship at Reading is the blend of professionalism and academic expertise of the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies, with the unique contributions from companies like Shell, Foster Wheeler and all the other partners

Economics of energyextremely proud to be the UK institution that brings such expertise and excellence together in this programme. Now in its third year, we expect the Chevening Fellowship programme to continue for many years to come, and for its influence to continue to make a real difference at the highest levels across the world.’

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Experts from the Walker Institute for Climate System Research at the University are taking a leading role in a major international science summit which aims to revolutionise the way we predict climate change.

Professor Julia Slingo, Founding Director of the Walker Institute, will be arguing that the accurate climate change predictions required by society, from governments to insurance companies, cannot be supplied by the current generation of climate models or by the computing power currently available. She will be calling for international co-operation to build a new generation of much higher resolution climate models and the supercomputers needed to run them.

‘The summit is set to lay out a roadmap to deliver more reliable predictions of climate change, especially at the regional and local level. We are seeing major advances in climate modelling and in the development of the supercomputing power we need. If the international modeling community works together, there is no doubt that we can achieve significant

World Modelling Summit

improvements in our ability to predict climate’ says Professor Slingo.

The World Modelling Summit for Climate Prediction being held in Reading from 6 to 9 May will develop an international strategy to significantly improve predictions of climate change. Scientists consider such a revolution necessary and possible because of major advances in scientific understanding and

Student award

Caroline Lencastre Cabral, a 3rd year student in the School of Law, was recently recognised for her achievements in her undergraduate years by the award of the prestigious Harmsworth Scholarship from Middle Temple.

The Harmsworth scholarships were set up by Lord Rothermere, an honorary Bencher of Middle Temple, in memory of his father, Alfred Harmsworth, a barrister of the Society. Caroline has been an active member of the law community in Reading and recently won the Inter-Varsity Debating Competition in Bath. The scholarship recognizes both her extra-curricular successes as well as her scholastic achievements. We wish her all the best in the future.

A Comedy by William Shakespeare.The Progress Theatre’s Summer 2008 production at the Abbey Ruins, Reading.Directors: John Goodman and Steph Weller

The Progress Theatre Abbey Ruins production is always one of the highlights of the summer: this year’s performance of The Taming of the Shrew has particular interest for the University of Reading.

This is a classic battle of the sexes, in which Petruchio manages to ‘tame’ his rumbustious bride Kate, while all the other men who try to gain control of their womenfolk are soundly defeated. Both leading roles are performed by University of Reading graduates: Layla Al-Katib is Kate; Ian Belcher is Petruchio. It is presented in a fresh, fast-paced style, set in the western regions of the United States of America in 1865, punctuated by swinging saloon doors, brawls, treks across the Chaparral, and rebel yells. With the local Sheriff (alias Hortensio) and the undertaker (known to the authorities as Gremio) on hand, all contingencies can be catered for. This production will maintain the Progress tradition of offering performances that can be enjoyed equally well by Shakespeare experts and

people who have never seen a Shakespeare play in their lives.

Director Steph Weller has an MSc in Psychology from the University, where she worked as a research associate, and graduate Heather Kay is a stage manager. Carolyn Lyle of the School of English and American Literature is the Dialogue Coach for this production, and will later be joining John Goodman to direct a production of The Tamer Tamed at Progress Theatre in November: this is a sequel written by Shakespeare’s friend John Fletcher, in which Shakespeare’s happy ending is revealed as a sham, and Petruchio’s second wife succeeds, triumphantly and hilariously, where Kate failed. Once more, a lot of University talent will be deployed. (But that is another story…)

All performances of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew start 7.45 pm. Monday 14 July–Saturday 20 July; Monday 21 July–Saturday 26 July, 2008. Tickets £25, £20, £14, with concessions available for all prices, from the Hexagon booking office (in person, visit www.readingarts.com, or ring 0118 960 6060), or at the gate on the night, but there will be sell-outs.

The Taming of the Shrew

the ever increasing power of computers.

For more information about the Summit please visit http://wcrp.ipsl.jussieu.fr/Workshops/ModellingSummit/index.html

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In Memoriam

Dr Richard RobinsonIt is with great sadness that the death of Richard Robinson, recently retired from the Department of Food Biosciences, is reported.

Richard’s academic career started in Oxford as a mycologist. On moving to the Department of Food Science at Reading in October 1971 his interests rapidly broadened and he developed an interest in dairy science, fermented milks in particular. It was not long before he began to share his knowledge by writing and editing a large range of books, particularly on dairy microbiology and dairy technology. He was also an editor of the Encyclopaedia of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition, which provided a comprehensive reference book for undergraduate food science courses.

In addition to his research, teaching and writing he contributed to the activities of the Society of Dairy Technology taking on the Scientific Editorship of the International Journal of Dairy Technology, from 1998 to 2003.

His research into fermented milks and similar products brought in research students from a wide range of countries, particularly from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. It was only recently that he was in the Gulf to attend the wedding of one of his former students. His international reputation was also recognised in 2002 with the award of a DSc by the University of Stellenbosch. He retired from the University in September 2003.

Richard will be greatly missed, not only by his two daughters but also by his many friends worldwide.

A Chair is sought for Reading Area Charities Together (www.ract.org.uk), a consortium of nine local charities working to encourage payroll giving.

Role description for this volunteer post and further details from Clare Bonney: c.p.bonney@reading.ac.uk

Also wanted are individuals who can provide HR advice, or are able to assist in setting up a book-keeping system, or could help with funding applications, to join a register of people willing to offer short term specialist help to local charities. Again, please contact Clare Bonney if you’d like to follow this up.

Charity management vacanciesThere’s a huge range of other opportunities for volunteering in Reading and if any member of staff would like to know more, please get in touch with Clare, who can meet you on campus and sort out some suggestions that match your interests. Many of the vacancies only require a couple of hours a month of your time.

These opportunities are publicised as part of the University’s Employee Volunteering Project (TQEF funded).

New general volunteering vacancies in the Reading area are posted each week on the Reading Voluntary Action website: www.r-v-a.org

Summer Recruitment Fair

Statistical Services Centre short coursesThe Statistical Services Centre (SSC) runs an annual programme of short courses for industry.

These are available to full-time staff and students at a discounted rate. Courses scheduled until the end of the year are listed below. For more details please see www.reading.ac.uk/ssc or contact Julia Harris (julia.harris@reading.ac.uk).

2–3 June Multivariate Analysis

9–10 June Repeated Measurements Analysis

11–12 June Generalised Estimating Equations, What, Why and How

16–17 June Statistical Modelling and Graphics using R

18–20 June Advanced Topics in Survival Analysis

14–15 July A Review of Basic Statistics

16–17 July Regression Analysis: A Hands-on Approach

21–22 July Survival Analysis for Medical and Health Professionals

23 September Statistics for University Administrators

30 September –1 October A Review of Basic Statistics

2–3 October Regression Analysis: A Hands-on Approach

6–7 October Generalised Linear Models

8–10 October Analysis of Mixed Models

15–17 October Introduction to Survival Analysis

13 November Statistics for University Administrators

19–21 November Microsoft® Access™ for Data Management: A Hands-on Approach

3–4 December A Review of Basic Statistics

5 December What Sample Size Do I Need?

This year’s Summer Recruitment Fair run by the Careers Advisory Service is being held on Thursday 5 June in The Palmer Building from 11am to 3pm.

It is being marketed as a Finalists’ Job Fair, but is open to students from all year groups and degree disciplines as we have employers not only offering graduate positions, but also work experience, placements and

volunteering opportunities.

This promises to be a great event with the highest employers ever attending, a total of 64 employers! Sectors range from Finance to Engineering, Food Bioscience to Teaching. To see a full list of attending employers please see the Careers Advisory Service website. http://www.reading.ac.uk/careers/events/event.asp?id=625~

SCR quizWednesday 4 June, 7.30pm

Teams of four are needed to do battle for the prestigious title of SCR quiz champions, not to mention valuable (?) prizes. SCR members, family and friends all very welcome. Fish and chip supper will be provided during the interval, all for £6 per person. The SCR bar will be open but you are also welcome to bring your own drinks and glasses. Book early to avoid disappointment, Contact Jean Carter – payment in advance please – j.a.carter@reading.ac.uk, ext. 5097.

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Centre for Staff Training & DevelopmentProgramme 27 May–6 June To book please email cstd@reading.ac.uk

27 May 10–11.30am Resources to Support Effective Learning 1–3pm Master Class in Intellectual Property Rights

28 May 9.30am–12noon Effective Delegation 12.15–1.45pm Moving Towards a Career in Industry 12.30–2pm Motivating Work Placement Students 2–4pm Endnote for Academics 2–4pm Portfolios and Projects 2.30–5pm Examining PhD Candidates

29 May 9.30am–5pm How to Coach

30 May 9.30–11.30am VAT in the University 12.45–1.45pm Guides for Managers: Short Listing and Preparing for Panel Interviews

3 June 9.30am–4.30pm Assertive Communication 10–11.30am RISIS Web Portal: A Full Overview

4 June 9.30 to 12noon Supervising Research Students for Post Doc Research Staff 9.30am–12.30pm Using the New University Content Management System (Part 1) 12.30–1.30pm Guides for Managers: Approval Forms, Recruitment and Probation 2–5pm Supporting Effective Learning

5 June 12.30–2pm School Directors of Teaching and Learning lunch and Meeting 2–5pm Using the New University Content Management System (Part 2) 2.30–5pm Financial Awareness for Non-Accountants

6 June 10–11.30am Procurement in Practice 10am–12noon Student Course and Enrolment Records in RISIS: Following the Maze

For details of all these courses please see www.reading.ac.uk/cstd or ring ext. 7097

SMall aDS

Holiday letNewly built house in Pays d’Auge Normandie. 4 beds, 2 bathrms. Situated in a large field in the countryside, 1 hour from Le Havre ferry port, 30 minutes from Deauville, Trouville seaside resort and Honfleur. Rental from March to October on a weekly basis. Contact d.c.lodge@reading.ac.uk.

To letA modern and recently decorated fully furnished double room in a 2 bedroom ground floor maisonette in Lower Earley. Share with owner. Own patio/garden and parking. Good transport links to University, M4 and town centre. £95 per week inclusive of bills, deposit required. Email michelle_norris@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07887 848082

For sale2-bed terraced house within walking distance of Earley Gate and Bulmershe Court in a sought after location. 2 double bedrooms, separate first floor bathroom, lounge/dining room, large kitchen and delightful rear garden. Asking price £219,950. Tel. Brian 07967 369241 or email m.king@reading.ac.uk

Cambridge gown and MA hood. Very good condition. £200. Tel: 0118 947 0959

ProofreadingProofreading and indexing (books, articles, theses etc.) by experienced professional. Tel: Helen Thomas 0118 947 2364 email: hlthomas@brennbee.net

Typography exhibitionAn exhibition of work by graduating students in the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication will be on public display on the following dates:

Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 June (9am–5pm)

Saturday 14 June (10am–3pm).

All are welcome to visit the Department at 2, Earley Gate.

Fine art exhibitionFrom Monday 9 June to Saturday 14 June 2008 inclusive the exhibition of work for BA Honours and MFA will be open to the University and the general public.

The exhibitions will be held in the Department of Fine Art, 1 Earley Gate and will be open from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 3pm on Saturday.

The exhibitions include a wide range of work so that this annual event offers one of the most exciting and varied shows of contemporary art to be seen in the area.

If school parties or other groups wish to visit there should be no difficulties, please check visiting arrangements with Jean Butler on 0118 378 8051.

library loans and leaversStudents leaving the University at the end of the Summer Term must return their University Library loans and pay any fines.

They can borrow until the end of term provided there are no outstanding overdue items or unpaid bills. Each borrower is responsible for everything issued to them and must ensure they are returned before leaving the University.

Students going abroad must return all vacation loans before leaving. They should keep their University Access card safe as they will need it when they return for their final year.

University on film

The promotion of universities on film is a major emerging trend which is set to continue as it is an excellent medium through which to reach target audiences.

The University’s Marketing Office is busy making a series of promotional films about the University. Films published to date include: About Us, Student Life, Life in Halls, Our Farms and the Installation of the Chancellor. Many of these films are now being used widely at Open Days and Visit Days, and by staff going to conferences and overseas’ visits, for example. The films receive more than 5,000 viewings per month via the University’s website.

The following films are in production and will be published between June and November: First Year Experiences, Teaching & Learning, Museum of English Rural Life and the International Foundation Programme. A major Research Showcase is also under way and includes titles such as: Climate Change; Sustainable Development: Food & Health, Cognitive Function, Neurorehabilitation, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, Cannabinoids, Ageing and Child Development.

Our film schedule continues in the Autumn with even more exciting projects.

Films are available via the University’s website www.reading.ac.uk/video, and also on DVD (higher definition for use at conferences, Open Days, etc.)

All films are made with Magic Bullet, the University’s preferred film production company. For more information about film, including commissioning, please contact Anne Wilstead at a.wilstead@reading.ac.uk or ext 7134.

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The diary is compiled from events posted on the Events page of the University website. For fuller details and to post your own events please see http://www.reading.ac.uk/events

Career Studies talk, Personal Construct Theory and Careers Work Phil Mignot, 1pm, see www.reading.ac.uk/conted/cgc/conted-careers studytalks.asp for more details

Wednesday 28 May Half term fun at MERL, Super scarecrow, Bring a packed lunch and spend the whole day with artist Ellen Brown creating a super scarecrow for the MERL garden. Free. Booking required. Suitable for families with children aged 6+. To book please ring 0118 378 8660 or email merlevents@reading.ac.uk, Museum of English Rural Life, 10.30am

Meteorology department lunchtime seminar, Pollution transport by weather systems: interactions between boundary layer and synoptic scale processes Victoria Sinclair, GU01 Meteorology, 1pm

Classics research seminar Imperial Portraits, Dr Ittai Gradel (Reading), 201 Carrington Building, 4pm

Thursday 29 May Half term fun at MERL, Wonderful woven garden sculptures, Bring a packed lunch and work in the garden creating woven textile sculptures with textile artist, Ellen Brown. Free but booking required. Suitable for families with children aged 7+, To book please ring 0118 378 8660 or email merlevents@reading.ac.uk, Museum of English Rural Life, 10.30am

Law lunch staff seminar, Who should decide on children’s best interests in the intensive care unit - doctors, parents, or judges? Dr Chris Danbury (Reading and Royal Berkshire Hospital), Foxhill House, 12.30pm

Construction Management and Engineering lunchtime seminar, Risk and Price, Samuel Laryea, 2n17 URS Building, 1pm

Philosophy Impartiality seminar, The Order of Charity, Professor David Oderberg (Reading), 27 HumSS, 5pm

SCR event, Summer Walk (with Jazz), Come for a short evening walk along the river, starting at the Richfield Avenue car park, Caversham Bridge (at 7pm) or join us at the Prince of Wales pub for a drink, and listen to the weekly Jazz session from 8.30-11pm. Food available until 9pm, Jazz 76 Prospect Street, Caversham, Book via Jean Carter, ext. 5097

Sunday 1 June SCR Event, Salsa!, try this absolute beginners’ taster salsa class – free and fun! Followed by drinks in nearby bars. Meet in front of Jongleurs night club. Book early. Numbers limited. Closing date 29 May, book via SCR office ext. 5097 giving your name and email address. Jongleurs, Friar Street, 7.15pm

Monday 2 June Meteorology departmental seminar, How much will precipitation increase with global warming? Hugo Lambert, (Hadley Centre, Met Office), GU01 Meteorology, 12noon

Tuesday 3 June Career Studies talk, Research Workshop will be facilitated by the career studies course team (Phil Mignot, Phil McCash and Jan Digby) at the University, 10am, please see www.reading.ac.uk/conted/cgc/conted-careersstudy talks.asp for more details

Chaplaincy Communion, The Chaplaincy Centre warmly welcomes anyone to their informal service led in turns by the Anglican, Methodist and URC Chaplains and followed by a shared lunch, 2-03 Foxhill House, 1.05pm

Biomolecular Sciences seminar, The beauty and the beast of the alternative oxidase: from thermogenic plants to pathogenic organisms, Professor Anthony Moore (Sussex), AMS Lecture Theatre, 1pm

Meteorology department lunchtime seminar, Developing a high resolution coupled climate model, Len Shaffrey (UK-HiGEM) GU01 Meteorology, 1pm

Music@Reading lunchtime concert, Reading University Pocket Symphony Orchestra, G10 Palmer, 1.10pm

Chemistry seminar, Glycopolymers and bioconjugates from a combination of living radical polymerisation and click chemistry, Professor David Haddleton (Warwick) Lecture Theatre G, Chemistry, 4.30pm

Education inaugural professorial lecture, The wonders of the alphabet: learning to read and write, Professor Rhona Stainthorp, Bob Kayley Theatre, Bulmershe Court, 5.30pm

Wednesday 4 June History of Art & Architecture research seminar, Parc de la Villette: Observations on sculpture and philosophy, Rowan Bailey (Leeds) 141 HumSS, 4pm

SCR event (for members and their guests), Quiz and fish & chip supper Rise to the Challenge! We need teams of 4 to battle it out for the Summer Championship Cup. A fun-filled evening open to colleagues, family and friends. Fish & chip supper in the interval. Bring your own wine/beer/soft drinks/glasses. Bar open. Tickets £6, Pre-paid bookings essential via SCR office. Ext: 5097, Park House, 7.30pm

Thursday 5 June Finalists’ Job Fair, Come to the Summer Graduate Fair 2008 for career ideas and inspiration after graduating. It’s a chance to speak to employers and see what they are looking for, explore a variety of opportunities including volunteer work and gain free expert advice on getting into various professions. All students are welcome, Palmer Building, 11am

Construction Management and Engineering lunchtime seminar, Modelling Urban Microclimate Runming Yao, 2n17 URS Building, 1pm

Philosophy research seminar, What are Concepts? Hanjo Glock (Zurich), 273 HumSS, 5pm

Thursday 22 May Career Studies talk, Career Education, Employability and Discourse Analysis, Julia Horn, 2.30pm. Please see www.reading.ac.uk/conted/cgc/conted-careers studytalks.asp for more details

For other events today please see Bulletin 481 or the website

Friday 23 May Applied Mathematics & Numerical Analysis seminar, The trapping of water waves by freely-floating structures, Richard Porter (Bristol) 113, Mathematics Department, 3pm

Tuesday 27 May - Friday 30 May School’s Out May Half Term Booking forms are available at the SportsPark reception or by emailing j.obrien@reading.ac.uk SportsPark, 9am

Tuesday 27 May Biomolecular Sciences seminar, Bacterial Cell Wall Architecture: Strength by design, Professor Simon Foster (Sheffield), AMS Lecture Theatre, 1pm

Chaplaincy Communion, The Chaplaincy Centre warmly welcomes anyone to their informal service led in turns by the Anglican, Methodist and URC Chaplains and followed by a shared lunch, GU06 Agriculture Building, 1.05pm

Meteorology departmental seminar, The new Met Office seasonal forecasting system: scientific challenges, Alberto Arribas (Hadley Centre, Met Office), GU01 Meteorology, 12noon

Music@Reading lunchtime concert, Silk String Trio, HumSS Van Emden, 1.10pm

Half term fun at MERL, A pocket full of posies, Drop-in any time between 2pm and 4pm to make your own flower and dried herb posy. Suitable for families with children aged 6+, Free. No need to book. Museum of English Rural Life, 2pm

Chemistry seminar, TBA, Dr Christian Pfrang, (Reading) Lecture Theatre G, Chemistry, 4.30pm

Philosophy research seminar, Is Death Bad for a Cow? Ben Bradley (Syracuse), 273 HumSS, 5pm

Palmer Theatre Whiteknights TTTTTT

READING FILM THEATRE

May starting at 7.30pm unless stated22 Thurs Charlie Wilson’s War (15)27 Tues The Wedding (15) (Polish)29 Thurs I’m Not There (15) 7.15pm

June starting at 7.30pm3 Tues Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (15)5 Thurs The Kite Runner (15)10 Tues Paranoid Park (15)12 Thurs Margot at the Wedding (15)Seats: £3.50 for members and £5 for non-members. Further details: please phone 0118 378 7151, (or ext. 7151).

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