Headline Stories

Headline Stories

Finding The Swing

“There is probably no better example of democracy than a jazz ensemble.”  These powerful words from Michelle Obama reflect a sentiment that underpins Dr Wesley Watkins’ musical mission. Reading graduate ‘Dr Wes’, as he...

Headline Stories

Compose Yourself

“Musical sounds afforded one of the bases for the development of language,” wrote Charles Darwin. A theory which continues to inspire many of us today – including Reading alumnus and internationally renowned composer...

Headline Stories

Behind The Cover

“Editorial design is about the small details – you’re not just designing the cover, but also the book interior – and those extra details need to be tight and finessed.” Reading graduate Emily Lapworth – deputy design...

Headline Stories

Memorable Moments

The past couple of months have been filled with opportunities to connect with our alumni community – from supporting future students and strengthening collaborations internationally, to informal gatherings across...

Headline Stories

2025 – Celebration of Volunteering

The hard work and impact of University volunteers was celebrated in May 2025 as alumni, students, staff and community supporters gathered for the annual Celebration of Volunteering Awards.  More than 90 people attended...

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Time Travelling

“It felt like time travel; where had the previous 50 years gone?” was how Richard Woodward felt on reuniting with his fellow Reading graduates half a century after leaving the University. It was in October...

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Reuniting the Tribe

30 years on from stepping into Wantage Hall as students, Celeste Garib and eight friends huddled under its arched entrance on a rainy Saturday afternoon for a very special reunion. For English language and literature...

Headline Stories

Changing The Conversation

Reading graduate and Detective Chief Inspector, Laura Corscadden, shares her extraordinary career – from local community support, to counter-terrorism and leading major crime investigations.  From UK terror...

Headline Stories

Grand Theft Hamlet

Grand Theft Auto and Shakespeare are not two things you would normally put together. But Reading alumnus, Mark Oosterveen, did exactly that when he staged a production of Hamlet within the Grand Theft Auto video game...

Headline Stories

Rowing to romance

From training on the Thames to competing at the Olympics – Sam and Natasha Townsend share their story of going from teammates to soulmates.  Natasha and Sam’s love story began at the University of Reading, where...