On the Occy: ACRE exhibition looks at life on Oxford Road University heads up the global rankings

THE UNIVERSITY of Reading was recognised as a global leader in the most recent edition of a prestigious annual ranking.

Of the 1,625 institutions which took part in the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Impact Rankings 2023, Reading placed equal 61st, an improvement of its 101-200 last year.

Action and research on environmental sustainability helped it become the 15th highest ranked among UK institutions, from the 57 that submitted themselves for inclusion.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, vicechancellor of the University of Reading, said: “As a university, we are addressing global challenges at every level, from work on our own campuses to supporting international efforts to make our world more peaceful, protected, and prosperous.

“I am grateful to our whole university community, whose hard work and collaboration with others is helping to bring about improvement to the lives of people here in Reading and around the world.

“I am particularly proud that this latest ranking recognises our particular efforts around environmental sustainability, a core part of the University of Reading mission.

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

A NEW exhibition exploring Oxford Road through photography and poetry has gone on display in Reading.

The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) brought the project to life after it was among those given council funding through the High Street Heritage Action Zone.

Now it is on display in the former Battle Hospital site on Oxford Road, where photographs and poems exploring life and culture there have been combined into a single exhibition.

The works are the culmination of a number of workshops with members of the community led by Reading-based artists, Nyasher Browne and Alex Douglas, who helped participants hone their writing and photography skills.

Twenty artists contributed verse and photographs to the collection, representing a small of the road’s culture through a number of different perspectives and walks of life.

The funding was also used to make safe creative spaces for people to develop their selfexpression in an open, friendly environment.

Among the contributors was Joseph Silvanos Wafula, a visual artist, who said: “A lot of my creative friends moved out of Reading to find creative spaces.

“So it’s awesome we’re starting more here, but I feel we need to do more, and not just on the surface – if we can build on this momentum.”

He explained: “People go to places for their art scenes – it draws people – and it feels like it’s been missing in Reading.

“It brings the community together, then you can start investing into a lot more.”

Nyasher Browne hosted the poetry workshops for the exhibition, and said that the event was a way of introducing people to poetry “in a way they can actually relate to.

“This isn’t just the poetry and the photography, it helps people release their feelings and emotions, which benefits their mental health.

“It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Ms Browne explained that the response from participants was extremely positive: “Everyone was so sad when the workshops finished.

“If there were the funding for it, I wouldn’t have stopped them – but the space and the funding just isn’t there at the moment.”

Alex Douglas, a Reading-based photographer, said that the workshops she led: “Taught people how to tell a story through taking photos.

“They all wanted to carry on with either one or both of the workshops – we became quite a close-knit family, really.”

She explained that photography was an incredibly accessible art form, too: “Everyone’s phone’s got a camera full of filters and effects.

“A lot of people find it hard to do street photography; you might have to be discreet or approach someone, so using your phone is a lot easier than getting a big camera out.

“The Oxford Road is the heart of Reading, and there are opportunities for art on every corner, and in every shop– all the way down the road.” n Occy Road: Episode 1 is showing at the Oxford Road Community Centre, 344 Oxford Road, from Thursday-Saturday, June 8-10, between 10am and 4pm.

“Our research, education and action on climate change, using resources responsibly and supporting the natural world have been ranked among the best globally.

“We want to be one of the greenest universities in the world, and this achievement shows how the world is increasingly agreeing with us.”

The THE rankings highlight the contribution of worldwide universities in supporting the United Nations strategic development goals.

Reading was the second-highest performing university in the world, and the best in the UK and Europe, for its contribution to supporting responsible production and consumption.

Strong placings of eighth, 10th, 22nd and 41st were achieved in the life on land, climate action, zero hunger and, decent work and economic growth categories respectively.

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum

AHOY, me hearties! The Reading Shanty Singers be hosting their Monthly Shanty Session at The Castle Tap on Castle Street next week.

Ye can join in fer free, but best book a table to avoid disappointment.

Sing songs of the sea and waterways, lead a shanty, or just listen along with a pint. All are welcome, but be mindful of the lyrics and avoid the dodgy verses to keep things inclusive. So hoist the mainsail and set a course for the pub to join in the fun.

The next session is on Wednesday, June 14. n For more details: thecastletap. co.uk

Tyres slashed

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a motorist had their tyres slashed.

The vandalism took place at some point between 9pm on Sunday, June 4, and 10.30am on Monday, June 5.

The car was parked on Wildflower Drive in Calcot, and had its two passenger side tyres attacked.

Thames Valley Police is asking anyone with information, including CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, to come forward.

Reports can be made by calling 101, quoting reference number 43230246419.