http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32867 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 01:57:26 GMT 2026-07-01T01:57:26Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33459 Title: A journey through ‘infraspace’: The financial architecture of infrastructure Authors: Heslop, LA Abstract: This paper challenges dominant governance paradigms by exploring the world of infrastructure investment, referred to by the industry as the ‘infraspace’. Starting with financial institutions and multilateral development agencies that steer global infrastructure money, it will trace the financial, technical, bureaucratic and aspirational journey of infrastructure and infrastructure planning. Examining the sociofinancial architecture of infrastructure and development pulls into focus the relationship between states, state-owned enterprises and multilateral financial institutions. Rather than focus primarily on the social and cultural consequences of infrastructural change, however, or how the political promise and aspiration of infrastructure measures up to its everyday use, the point of departure for this paper is the social, economic and political relations that produce infrastructure. Such an examination requires a journey beyond the state and through infraspace. Tue, 28 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33459 2020-07-28T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33456 Title: Rethinking Advice for Micro-entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka Authors: Heslop, L Abstract: In this Policy Brief, Dr Luke Heslop draws on his research showing that micro-entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka rely primarily on informal networks, whilst formal advisory systems are fragmented, poorly targeted, and do not align with the realities of small-scale survivalist enterprise. Description: Published online 8 June 2026: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/brunel-public-policy/news-and-events/news/Policy-briefs/Economy/Policy-Brief-Rethinking-Advice-for-Micro-entrepreneurs-in-Sri-Lanka Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33456 2026-06-08T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33358 Title: Modern Art and Radcliffe‑Brown's Scientific Aesthetics Authors: Niehaus, I Abstract: Modern art was arguably a major inspiration for the social structural approach pioneered by A.R Radcliffe-Brown. This suggestion is counter-intuitive, given that Radcliffe-Brown is known to have advocated a scientific rather than humanistic approach to the study of social life. However, during the early twentieth century, no insurmountable gulf separated the sciences and arts. Drawing on archival sources, this article shows that in addition to his anthropological work, Radcliffe-Brown was a vocal proponent of modernism in the arts, and argued that art should be in concert with the ‘scientific spirit’ of the time. He opposed photographic realism, sentimentalism, vagueness and the over-elaboration of detail; and advocated abstraction based on a definite method of composition, hard lines and definite forms. This vision is also apparent in his rejection of ethnographic romanticism and in the composition of The Social Organisation of Australian Tribes (1931). The monograph follows the principles of minimalism and abstraction and seeks to elucidate structural forms underlying social interaction. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33358 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33333 Title: Assessing the conservation challenges for the European eel through the Delphi technique Authors: Mukherjee, N; Clarhäll, A; Scharin, H; Svensson, M; McCarthy, AH; Greenlee, JW; Ovidiu, A; Algera, DA; Aprahamian, M; Asturiano, JF; Ben Ammar, I; Bianchini, ML; Björkvik, E; Bolland, JD; Cairns, DK; Brian, C; Ciccotti, E; Domingos, I; Elvidge, CK; Eyler, S; Geffroy, B; Griffiths, NP; Grilo, TF; Januchowski-Hartley, S; Jellyman, D; Kärgenberg, E; Lagarde, R; Lyach, R; MacNamara, R; Melià, P; Meulenbroek, P; Nijman, V; Nilsson, PA; Podda, C; Prouzet, P; Rohtla, M; Sjöberg, N; Stein, FM; Sühring, R; Svedäng, H; Tamario, C; van der Hammen, T; Verhelst, P; Watz, J; Weltersbach, MS; Westerberg, H; Wickström, H; Hugé, J Abstract: The once abundant European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is currently classified as a Critically Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Although both the European Union (through the 2007 Eel Regulation) and its member states have implemented various conservation actions, many uncertainties remain regarding the actual and anticipated effectiveness of these measures. This study aimed to identify and prioritise the conservation and recovery measures for the European eel, using the expert-based Delphi technique. We conducted a two-round Delphi survey on eel conservation measures (these measures were derived from an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature). The findings highlight the need for establishing a pan-European eel recruitment monitoring programme (to obtain reliable eel population estimates), restoring access to suitable inland habitats by removing migration barriers and improving habitat quality. Experts also emphasized the necessity for a more stringent silver eel escapement target and stronger enforcement of this target. While restocking of eel remains a contentious issue, a set of preconditions could render it conditionally acceptable. This study offers important insights into the areas of consensus and divergence among eel experts in the challenging field of eel conservation. We hope these results strengthen eel management decision-making such that this Critically Endangered species does not become a museum specimen for future generations. Description: Data availability Data will be made available on request.; Supplementary material is available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989426002064#sec0110 . Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33333 2026-05-22T00:00:00Z