Location and Logistics

Emergency Advice

In the UK, the emergency services can be reached by calling 999 or 112.

For urgent but not life-threatening health conditions, you can call 111.

The nearest Accident & Emergency department is at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, just down the hill. It's not a pretty building but it's a major regional hospital.

Overall Location

Most events will be in the Palmer Building on the University's Whiteknights campus, which is highlighted on the below Google map. Some of the Open Sessions will be in the Edith Morley building (a 1-2 minute walk from Palmer), and the conference dinner will be in Park House (a 5 minute walk from Palmer). The pub is also in Park House.

Here is some general information about getting to the campus: https://www.reading.ac.uk/about/visit-us

There is also official information, please see university Delegate Information Pack at the link I sent you by email (but ignore the points about pay & display parking, since it includes a permit).

Accommodation

Here is the university accommodation booking link (it is sold out now but I leave the link in case you'd like to manage your booking)

If you've booked the university option, they should have sent you separate instructions about arrival and departure, etc.

The following are all unofficial suggestions, which I have not tested:

• The University has discounts with hotels in Reading, details at this link (pdf). On this list, the Roseate is probably the 'fanciest' central hotel, near the station and opposite Forbury Gardens.

• Near the University is the Best Western which typically offers very reasonable rates, and is about a 15-20 minute walk.

• If you'd like advice on other accommodation options, feel free to email me.

Transport Logistics

Rail

Arguably Reading's best feature is its train station. It's 25 minutes west of London Paddington and about 30 minutes south of Oxford. The former makes it an easy destination for Eurostar services and connecting trains from North-West Europe.

Buses to Campus

From the station there are excellent buses to the campus (the 20 and 21 stop on the campus itself). Cash is accepted but it's a little awkward (no change given) and so contactless card payment is standard. Some advice:

• Don't forget to tap off as well as on.

• International visitors may want to download the Reading Buses app and buy tickets on there (this also makes for easier expense tracking).

To get the bus from the station, walk out of the South exit, and orient yourself by the royal statue. Viewed from the station, the 20 and 21 usually depart from the stops to the left of the statue (stop EK).

Driving

The Delegate Information Pack emailed on 29 June contains a parking permit (which you must print). Ignore the information about pay & display on page 1.

Airports connections

I write 'to' but these services all go both ways!

• there's a direct rail connection to Gatwick;

• the RailAir bus service to Heathrow works well (there is a train to Heathrow, but because Heathrow lacks West-facing rail services, it involves a change);

• Southampton airport is also easily reachable by rail, with some direct services;

• Birmingham airport is an easy (though slightly longer) rail journey, also with some direct services;

• Stansted and Luton are easily reachable if you don't mind connecting through central London.

Speaker and Presentation Information

A reminder: attendees (including those presenting papers) must be members of either the Mind Association or the Aristotelian Society. You can join the Aristotelian Society from as little as £5 or the Mind Association (which includes a subscription to the Mind journal).

I am required to direct your attention to the university's Speaker and Events Code of Conduct (Word document warning!)

We'll supply the basics as described below, but it's the speaker's responsibility to bring everything they need.

Screen-based presentations

Each classroom has a PC and a display (screen or projector). There should be a laminated card or panel on the wall with instructions on how to use it, but here's a summary. On the table is a little control panel (either physical or touchscreen) that lets you pick the input for the projector/display.

Using your own laptop. Please bring your own laptop as a default. Realistically you will have it with you anyway. The classrooms are equipped with standard connectors direct to the screen/projectors, normally at least HDMI and USB-C, but you should bring your own cables and dongles too. 

Especially if you've not used your laptop to present before, you may want to test it with a screen you have access to. A minor hassle, but better than burning your presentation minutes on the 'use external display?' dialogue. With 20 minutes of speaking time in the open sessions, even 5 minutes of fiddling will waste 25% of it.

There is a little bundle of cables on the table. Connect the right cable from the bundle of them, then press 'laptop' or equivalent on the control panel. You may have to press 'on' first.

Using the classroom PC. There is a shared login that can be used to login on the classroom computers, but this is a slightly riskier option because you'll be trusting to either a USB stick or to two-factor authentication. There's a piece of paper in each open sessions room on the computer desk with the details. Please leave this there until Friday evening, then recycle after the last open session. Some notes:

• The first login of the day seems to be a bit slower, about 3-4 minutes.

• I ran into an error trying to access Outlook in MS Edge on that account, but Google Chrome worked fine.

• If you are connecting a USB stick, connect to the dedicated ports by the monitor and the buttons. In my experience, Windows doesn't pop up a notification when you connect but the drive does appear in file explorer.

• You may need to wake the computer and the monitor by pushing the power buttons. The power button for the computer is normally next to a flashing light down by your knees.

If you run into trouble please send a message by email or to the 'tech support' WhatsApp group. I will be present and so will some staff and student volunteers, but with 17 parallel sessions across two buildings, you shouldn't count on a quick tech support response. I do encourage you to try it our before your session time.

Old school

If the above makes you at all uneasy, I strongly suggest using the whiteboards or handouts. If a marker pen runs out it's far easier to 'borrow' one from next door than to do emergency tech troubleshooting. It typically makes for a better experience anyway - and whiteboard presentations seem to be less likely to run out of time.

There will be whiteboards, as mentioned.

Like everyone else, I love a good handout. For the Open Sessions, ten copies should be fine, but if you are risk-averse or expect a larger audience for one reason or another, you may wish to bring more.

Print your own handouts before arriving on campus. To my knowledge, there are no easily available public printers on campus. If your home institution lets you print, even if you have to pay, it will almost certainly be cheaper than the below options. A crumpled handout in your bags is worth it for the lower price and increased certainty.

If you arrive in Reading without them printed, my advice would be to do it before coming up to campus. Here are some local printing shops -- the shop names are Google Maps or website links. But printing in Reading really is a second preference to bringing your own. I have never used any of the below services, so you should check opening hours before making a special trip.

In town:

• Ryman, a chain stationery and office supplies shop, on the closer side of the town centre. The 21 bus to campus stops near here.

• Kall Kwik Reading, a design and printing shop in the town centre.

• 118 Studio, in the Broad Street Mall on the West side of the town centre.

Nearer campus:

• ASAP printing, a 20 minute walk down the hill in a studenty area. Probably the nicer of the two walks.

• Press to Print, a 30 minute walk to a residential/light industrial area due west of the university. A part of Reading you likely otherwise wouldn't see.

Shopping, Eating and Drinking Recommendations

Here are some unashamedly opinionated suggestions. Some caveats:

• There are some glaring omissions because I've only included places I can personally vouch for.

• I've not included the large chain restaurants that might appeal for quick meals - but many of the big chains can be found at the Oracle Riverside.

On Campus

1. The Park House pub (in the same building as dinner) has very good and reasonable food options, excellent drinks, and is very close to lots of green space. Like most British pubs, the kitchen closes a fair bit earlier than the bar.

2. The Coop is where I often buy my slightly shameful meal deal lunch. It's an excellent deal, especially if you sign up for membership on the app. It's also good for basic supplies such as toiletries.

3. Cafes (opening hours are variable in the Summer break, but they should be open in the daytime):

   1. Dolche Vita cafe in Palmer building, though it will probably be very busy with us.

   2. Library cafe. Directly across the grass from Palmer.

   3. Henley Business School cafe, not actually 10 miles away in Henley (some have made this mistake). Likely the quietest option.

4. The Student Union (look left as you come out of Palmer) has some independent businesses. The following are open at least some of the time during the Joint Session:

   1. The Bagelman is a campus legend.

   2. Big Bazaar is a pretty comprehensive convenience store.

Near Campus (Christchurch Road, very close)

1. Kungfu Kitchen. Considered by many the best restaurant in Reading. Very large vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free selection.

2. Queen's Head pub. A perfectly respectable place to go for a drink if Park House is busy.

3. Greggs. You know what you are getting here. If you don't, ask a nearby British person!

4. Domino's. Look, it's not fancy. But it is close and the prices are very reasonable if you collect or eat there.

Near Campus (East Reading, a little further, very studenty)

1. Finn's Fish and Chips. Great quality, very fresh chips.

2. Tutu's Ethiopian Table. Excellent Ethiopian food in a lovely park setting.

In or Near Town

The town centre can become quite busy and 'rowdy' in the evening, especially if there's an event on causing large crowds to pass through the railway station. It's not notably dangerous by any means, but at night you should exercise some caution.

1. Blue Collar food court. If there's a group of you with different tastes and paying separately, this is a good option. Generally very good 'street food'.

2. Mama's Way is a tiny Italian place (just two or three seats) but absolutely excellent food and drink.

3. Shed for sandwiches.

4. Picnic for vegetarian-friendly lunch boxes.

5. It's a small chain but Marugame Udon offers excellent fresh and cheap noodle options.

6. Sweeney Todd is a classic piece of 'old Reading'. They do pies, mostly meat pies. They are incredible (though oddly, like many people, I find them tastier when taken home and heated than eaten on site). They also claim to do fine wines, though I've not verified this. If you want something memorable this is it.

7. Pubs:

   1. The Greyfriar near the station is nice and friendly.

   2. Siren brewery does excellent craft beers and good bar food.

   3. There are two Wetherspoons. Like Greggs, you know what you are getting here. If you don't, ask a nearby British person!

   4. The Castle Tap is slightly outside the town centre, but manages to combine being a slightly shabbily decorated drinkers pub (the only food is cheese) with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Known locally as an extremely LGBT-friendly option.

8. There are many good pizza options depending on your preferred style. I have enjoyed...

   1. Paesinos

   2. Zi Tore

   3. Zia Lucia

   4. Thirsty Bear

9. For a proper sit-down dinner, London Street Brasserie is my suggestion. It's nice without being too extravagant.

10. At the opposite end of the scale, Rafina Lounge takes me back to meals out with my grandmother in the 1980s.

11. Coffee Under Pressure (either location) is where I tend to buy coffee, including a nice cold brew.

12. Marks & Spencer is a supermarket with a wide selection of good-quality basic supplies, and a surprisingly decent bakery section.

Caversham

Caversham is a slightly bougier suburb to the North of Reading Station, on the other side of the river. It's a very pleasant green walk to get there. Well, green after you get past the station. Take the pedestrian tunnel under Reading Station then cross the road, go straight ahead between the office buildings, and then use the pedestrian bridge over the river into Christchurch Meadow.

Some options in Caversham:

1. Fox and Hounds pub (decent pizzas and very good beer selection).

2. Vegivores has always done really excellent vegan food, and I believe has recently simplified their menu.

3. Clay's offers excellent Indian food, and was reviewed in the Guardian.

4. Good Old Days is a great casual Chinese option (mostly Hong Kong style) and also reviewed in the Guardian!

5. Kamal's Kitchen is on the road to Caversham rather than the pedestrian bridge and would be an excellent option for a relaxed Nepalese dinner for a group.

If you have a car (or cycle far)

1. Imma Bakery in Stoke Row. No joke, arguably the best bakery in the UK. Sourdough bread, sandwiches, pastries, the lot. I cycle there at least once a month. Check opening hours before going.

2. Black Horse pub, Checkendon. Old-fashioned rural drinkery.

Decompression/Quiet/Cool Recommendations

Want to sight see or get away from philosophers? Here are some suggestions:

1. Go to the Edith Morley building and go to the top floor... lots of empty classrooms in July. And the 'study space' on the ground floor should be very quiet.

2. On campus:

   1. There is lots of empty quiet space (including seating) in the Student Union at this time of year.

   2. The green space past the Park House pub is bigger than you think. You could walk around the lake or to the Harris Garden or around the 'Wilderness'.

   3. Depending on opening hours, the Cole Museum of Zoology is good.

3. In town:

   1. Reading Minster church;

   2. The Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens;

   3. Christchurch Meadow (in Caversham, as mentioned above).

4. Further afield:

   1. Not exactly decompression because it'll be thronged with tourists in July, but Oxford is an easy trip for a few hours;

   2. Pangbourne and Goring & Streatley are quaint Thameside towns (more like villages, really) - an easy train ride.

Air-conditioned spaces

1. The Palmer lecture theatres (G10 and 109) are air-conditioned, and you are welcome to relax or work in them when they are not in use.

2. The various campus coffee shops (and the Henley Business School as a whole).

3. I wouldn't swear to it, but the Student Union building feels awfully comfortable.