http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32867 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:26:57 GMT 2026-04-09T21:26:57Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33102 Title: Ecosocialism and degrowth Authors: Dale, G Editors: Nelson, A Abstract: This chapter in the Routledge Handbook of Degrowth (2025) proposes that a divide between ‘productivist’ and ‘eco’ socialisms existed from the earliest beginnings of the socialist movement. It identifies Henri de Saint-Simon and Charles Fourier as the emblematic figures of the two currents. It surveys key figures and processes in the evolution of ‘proto-ecosocialism’, discussing the writings of Russian and Ukrainian Narodniks, and of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels – including the question of the ‘productivist’ interpretation of their work. The chapter identifies José Carlos Mariátegui and Walter Benjamin as contributors to a creative development of ecosocialist thought, before concluding with an evaluation of the postwar ‘age of ecology’ and the complex relationship between degrowth and ecosocialism. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33102 2025-07-17T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33072 Title: The BBC is a partisan battleground – why does Japan’s public broadcaster escape the same fate? Authors: Pickering, S; Hansen, ME; Sunahara, Y Abstract: Public service broadcasters are supposed to be the most trusted news outlets in democratic societies. Funded through models like licence fees and free from advertising, they are meant to stand apart from commercial media Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33072 2025-10-16T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33071 Title: How political leanings affect views on academic freedom – new research Authors: Pickering, SD; Hansen, ME; Sunahara, Y Abstract: Academic freedom is often described as a cornerstone of democratic society. Politicians regularly claim to defend it, universities invoke it in mission statements and most members of the public say they support it in principle. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33071 2026-01-26T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33038 Title: Effectiveness of Electrokinetic EOR on Gas Condensate Banking Treatment—Proxy Modelling and Optimization Authors: Ikpeka, PM; Duru, UI; Onwukwe, S; Ohia, NP; Ugwu, J Abstract: Gas condensate banking can significantly reduce near-well gas productivity by as much as ~60% in tight gas reservoirs. Existing treatment techniques are resource demanding and could alter the reservoir structure permanently. This study investigates the effectiveness of enhanced electrokinetic oil recovery (EK-EOR) as a low-impact alternative for treating condensate banks. Using compositional reservoir simulation (CMG GEM), the influence of key reservoir and operational parameters—porosity, permeability, producer well location (i, j), injection rate, and injection pressure—on cumulative gas production (CGP) was examined. A Box–Behnken design of experiments was employed to generate 62 simulation runs, and a proxy model was developed to approximate full-field responses. Statistical validation showed strong model fidelity (R2 = 0.99, AAPE = 2.2%). The proxy was then optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA) to identify conditions that maximize gas recovery. Results indicate that lower injection rates and lower injection pressures maximize CGP through enhanced electro-osmotic flow and reduced water blocking, achieving a peak cumulative gas of 4.06 × 108 ft3. A secondary optimum at high injection pressure could be attributed to re-pressurization and partial re-vaporization of condensate near the wellbore. Reservoir quality also exerted a strong control: higher permeability and moderate porosity favoured gas yield, while optimal producer placement near the reservoir boundary increased drainage efficiency. This study demonstrates a systematic optimization framework combining design of experiments, proxy modelling, and evolutionary algorithms to evaluate EK-EOR performance. Description: Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are openly available in [https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70356]. Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33038 2026-03-18T00:00:00Z