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 Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames"
Yes, I play videogames.
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.
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
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.
January 14, 2026 at 11:32 AM
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
#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
January 13, 2026 at 2:26 PM
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
#accwri #smallvictories
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_...
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…
www.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM
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_...
On a serious note, looking forward to the conference this year back at Bletchley Park.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPw_...
Reposted by Russell Shanks
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...
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
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...
Took a moment when in central London recently to find the SOE Memorial nr Lambeth Bridge. Topped with a bust of Violette Szabo, it was touching to see the memorial still covered in poppy wreaths. Noticed a few passers-by stopped to have a read and reflect. 1/3
#SOE #London
#SOE #London
January 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Discovered this holiday period that SOE operative Krystina Skarbek (Christine Granville) is buried in the same cemetery as some of my Step-Dad's relations. Took a moment to pay respects at her grave and reflect on her remarkable life.
(Photos my own)
(Photos my own)
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Discovered this holiday period that SOE operative Krystina Skarbek (Christine Granville) is buried in the same cemetery as some of my Step-Dad's relations. Took a moment to pay respects at her grave and reflect on her remarkable life.
(Photos my own)
(Photos my own)
In addition to AC: Syndicate I treated myself to AC: Black Flag this festive period even if purely to collect all the Sea Shanties. The game looks pretty rough-cut these days. To be fair I did see it as a display piece in the National Maritime Museum in the summer.
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
In addition to AC: Syndicate I treated myself to AC: Black Flag this festive period even if purely to collect all the Sea Shanties. The game looks pretty rough-cut these days. To be fair I did see it as a display piece in the National Maritime Museum in the summer.
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
Holiday break also means the odd little treat to playing the odd historical game outside of the study remit. As AC: Syndicate is set in Victorian London I will stake a claim this is a Christmas game.
December 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Holiday break also means the odd little treat to playing the odd historical game outside of the study remit. As AC: Syndicate is set in Victorian London I will stake a claim this is a Christmas game.
Excited to see the Call for Papers for the next British DiGRA conference.
Potential conference trip to Wales on the cards for next summer 🤞
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
#conference #bdigra #criticalgamestudies
Potential conference trip to Wales on the cards for next summer 🤞
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
#conference #bdigra #criticalgamestudies
BDiGRA 2026 – University of South Wales, Cardiff – Conference Announcement and Call For Papers – British DiGRA
British DiGRA
bdigra.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Excited to see the Call for Papers for the next British DiGRA conference.
Potential conference trip to Wales on the cards for next summer 🤞
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
#conference #bdigra #criticalgamestudies
Potential conference trip to Wales on the cards for next summer 🤞
bdigra.co.uk/bdigra-2026-...
#conference #bdigra #criticalgamestudies
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
December 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
If you'd like to know more specifically what I am studying at Durham University, this IWM video sums it up in a neat 12 minute example.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
Military Historian breaks down Sniper Elite 5
Karl Fairburne is the steely-eyed, gruff-voiced protagonist of the Sniper Elite video game series. He can often be found sneaking into enemy bases, blowing up emplacements and assassinating…
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
If you'd like to know more specifically what I am studying at Durham University, this IWM video sums it up in a neat 12 minute example.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIRz...
#SOE #criticalvideogamestudies
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
Sat at my desk in the PGR Office in full Halloween costume now it's pitch dark in the city is an experience. The lace wrist cuffs really add a Dickensian dimension, and this cassock is surprisingly warm for a £20 find off Amazon.
a man in a mask is standing in front of a group of mannequins in a room .
ALT: a man in a mask is standing in front of a group of mannequins in a room .
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Sat at my desk in the PGR Office in full Halloween costume now it's pitch dark in the city is an experience. The lace wrist cuffs really add a Dickensian dimension, and this cassock is surprisingly warm for a £20 find off Amazon.
Reposted by Russell Shanks
A reminder of our open call for postdoctoral researchers focusing on cultural game studies, closing on Friday this week, 31 October at 23.59.00 EET / UTC+2 (Finland time): tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index...
3 Postdoctoral Researchers (cultural game studies) / 3 tutkijatohtoria (kulttuurinen pelitutkimus)
tuni.rekrytointi.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM
A reminder of our open call for postdoctoral researchers focusing on cultural game studies, closing on Friday this week, 31 October at 23.59.00 EET / UTC+2 (Finland time): tuni.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index...
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
October 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
Working on an interesting avenue of thought surrounding SOE's use of astrology and the occult. If anyone knows or can point me in the direction of SOE (and PWE) black propaganda on the matter that would be very helpful. PJR Winter's 2006 article in I&NS helpful so far.
October 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Working on an interesting avenue of thought surrounding SOE's use of astrology and the occult. If anyone knows or can point me in the direction of SOE (and PWE) black propaganda on the matter that would be very helpful. PJR Winter's 2006 article in I&NS helpful so far.
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
October 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
(Halloween) Groundskeeper Willie: Ach! Zombies! - Funniest Simpsons
YouTube video by Roddy Strong
youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
October 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
Although I will add it was a piece of inspired planning to be researching and writing a chapter on Nazi Zombies and Historical Fantasy in Video Games over Halloween 👻 🎃 🎮
October 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Although I will add it was a piece of inspired planning to be researching and writing a chapter on Nazi Zombies and Historical Fantasy in Video Games over Halloween 👻 🎃 🎮
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
October 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
Blustery weather last weekend meaning the Castle College MCR trip to Beamish Museum got the run of the place (mostly) to ourselves first thing. It provided atmospheric experience witnessing the costumed staff heading to post in empty streets.
October 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Blustery weather last weekend meaning the Castle College MCR trip to Beamish Museum got the run of the place (mostly) to ourselves first thing. It provided atmospheric experience witnessing the costumed staff heading to post in empty streets.
After posting my 'Top' 5 SOE videogames, here's the other end of the scale...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
5 Most Disappointing SOE Videogames - THE SOE, COVERT ACTION, AND THE BRITISH CULTURAL IMAGINARY
Russell Shanks chooses the clunkiest SOE-related games Adapting of historical episodes into videogames presents both challenges and opportunities. Scholars such as Adam Chapman and Esther Wright have ...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 11:55 AM
After posting my 'Top' 5 SOE videogames, here's the other end of the scale...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...