Russell Shanks
@soegamer.bsky.social
PhD Candidate, Durham University. "The Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames" Yes, I play videogames.
The Michaelmas term card is here! Our seminars are free to attend and take place from 6pm on alternate Mondays at IMEMS headquarters, 7 Owengate, Palace Green. We'll open with refreshments and end the seminar with a trip to a local pub. All are welcome!
New Nations post! Russell Shanks @soegamer.bsky.social explores how British identity, British stereotypes, and the history of the Second World War are filtered through the Call of Duty franchise’s representation of the Special Operations Executive: www.historicalgames.net/how-the-call...
How the Call of Duty franchise perceives historical Britishness through the Special Operations Executive | Historical Games Network
Over 80 years since its conclusion, the Second World War still plays a pivotal role in defining national identity, as a significant moment that shaped nations across the world. Keith Lowe’s book The F...
historicalgames.net
Delighted to have contributed to the Historical Games Network Blog. Some thoughts on how Call of Duty conveys British identity through its characters based in the Special Operations Executive. www.historicalgames.net/how-the-call...
How the Call of Duty franchise perceives historical Britishness through the Special Operations Executive | Historical Games Network
Over 80 years since its conclusion, the Second World War still plays a pivotal role in defining national identity, as a significant moment that shaped nations across the world. Keith Lowe’s book The…
historicalgames.net
In my latest contribution to the SOE and British Culture Blog, I ask what it takes to be an operative in the Special Operations Executive - according to Videogames. Check it out in the link: soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2026/09/16/h...
How to be an SOE Operative – five lessons from videogames - THE SOE, COVERT ACTION, AND THE BRITISH CULTURAL IMAGINARY
Russell Shanks on how SOE-related games suggest skills needed to be a successful SOE operative According to Adam Chapman, videogames offer players the opportunity to embody and play as historical…
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk
Great couple of days with #BDiGRA Conference at UoSW, Cardiff. Presentation done and a joy to be part of a(n inadvertently?) Northern pannel. Looking forward to the final afternoon.
Great day at the inaugural Inter-Colligate Research Conference on Monday 22nd June celebrating postgraduate research at Durham University. Such a fascinating and diverse range of presentations across multiple panels. Glad to present, and dabble in judging and chairing throughout the day.
Had an insightful time attending the Game NExt conference at The Glasshouse in Gateshead on Monday. Fascinating and invigorating to get a taste of how strong the Game Developer community is in the North East and why it is such a resilient and creative industry.
Encountered my first proper AI howler while doing a quick search for some videogame details. Yes Google AI, Medal of Honor (1999) does indeed feature a mission set in Norway. You get to raid the Norsk Hydro Plant in a remediation of Operation Gunnerside.
I think half the fun of drafting conference papers is pulling bits from prior work and transmuting them from academic language into spoken English.
On a writing retreat somewhere deep in the Northumbrian countryside. Thankfully not a few counties further south or the rain showers and 19thC architecture would put me in mind of Wuthering Heights rather than my Thesis
Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (Official Video)
ALT: Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (Official Video)
static.klipy.com
Excited to announce I will be speaking at the British Digital Gaming Research Association (BDiGRA) conference this summer! Looking forward to attending this Game Studies event and presenting a small part of my research. bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
BDiGRA 2026 – University of South Wales, Cardiff – Conference Announcement and Call For Papers – British DiGRA
bdigra.co.uk
Of all the interesting research side-quests, the history of Headshots has got to be in my top 5. www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Vr...
The History of HEADSHOTS
YouTube video by gameranx
youtube.com
Things often come full-circle in academia. Found myself revisiting a 'practice' chapter I wrote at the start of my PhD. Very cringe to review the syntax, formatting and structure. But hey, we all start somewhere!
Yet more proof why critical understanding of WW2 should be essential to contemporary society and politics www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump surprises Japan's PM with Pearl Harbor remark
President Trump compared US strikes on Iran to the deadly 1941 Japanese attack and declaration of war as part of World War Two.
bbc.co.uk
Very intriguing perspective by Dan Lomax about how SOE is deployed in speeches by 'C' www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Is the UK About to See SOE Reborn? Think Again
A change at the head of the UK’s intelligence service signals many changes, but will not ‘set Europe ablaze’.
rusi.org
Not taken too long into this war with Iran to get onto the WW2 comparatives. All too easy to throw around Churchill's name in comparative to any PM facing calls to go to war. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
Trump says 'everything's been knocked out in Iran' as he criticises UK and Starmer
bbc.co.uk
With current events escalating in Iran, this critically important geostrategic story appears to have slipped under the radar. #nuclearweapons #nuclearhistory www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
France to boost nuclear arsenal and extend deterrence to European allies
Emmanuel Macron said eight countries could enjoy protection from France's nuclear umbrella - but that Paris would retain sole decision-making power.
bbc.co.uk
This evening marks the 83rd anniversary of Operation Gunnerside, the legendary raid by Norwegian Commandos of SOE against Heavy Water at the Norsky Hydro Plant. Of all of SOE's activities, Gunnerside is the mission that most often appears in videogames. Why is that? 1/8
Glad my university has a department that puts on a variety of workshops to help open up and explore different approaches to academic work. Recently attended one on 'Storytelling Your Research'. Safe to say 'drawing' my PhD Journey has been inspired by playing a lot of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
OTD 1944: 82 Years ago, members of SOE successfully sink the SF Hydro ferry and remaining stocks of Heavy Water (Deuterium Oxide/D2O) ending the Nazi nuclear program. This action is often condensed into videogames as part of Operation Gunnerside (Feb 1943) 1/2
I feel this could apply to those who are in Game Studies as well... 😅
Sen, but Spooky@dresdencodak.com · 8mo agoAs I go through my Sailor Moon Rewatch, I'm struck by how a character's coolness is often tied to how good they are at video games. Simpler times.
OTD: 82 years since Operation Jericho - the raid on Amiens Prison. This operation is a prime example of SOE-RAF cooperation at its finest. A daring low-level, precision raid by RAF Mosquitos to free Resistance agents. Aspects of the mission have inspired a few videogame levels 1/3
Even in final year of PhD studies, going back to basics with an easy to read text to help gain new insights and perspectives can be really helpful and satisfying. This book just helping to polish off some perspectives in a current thesis chapter.
January 2026 marks 80 years since the end of the Special Operations Executive. Perhaps one of the quieter Second World War anniversaries to pass by. Nonetheless SOE remains a popular topic for Digital Wargames, the organisations actions inspiring narratives and gameplay over the past 40+ years.
Sometimes it's the simple and small things that can help organisation and navigation on big projects. Like putting thesis chapter numbers in document titles for ease of access in my folders. #accwri #smallvictories
a man and a woman walking down a street with the words " i need to get my life in order "
ALT: a man and a woman walking down a street with the words " i need to get my life in order "
media.tenor.com
I can neither confirm nor deny my appearance in this video. On a serious note, looking forward to the conference this year back at Bletchley Park. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPw_...
National Intelligence History Conference 2026 - Save the date
The National Intelligence History Conference (NIHC) is an academic conference looking at all aspects of the history of intelligence - from people, organisations, pop culture and more. The inaugural…
youtube.com
How can Hannah Arendt’s book The Origins of Totalitarianism help us understand this new age of far-right populism? @cjfinlay.bsky.social @sgiadurham.bsky.social takes a look 👉 www.durham.ac.uk/research/cur...
