Russell Shanks

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 .

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.

3 Postdoctoral Researchers (cultural game studies) / 3 tutkijatohtoria (kulttuurinen pelitutkimus)

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

Otherwise most other texts focus on the degree of Nazi interest (or lack of) on the topic. Looking to see how western cultural fascination (particularly in videogames) may be influenced by the black propaganda from our own (historic) intelligence agencies.

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).

YouTube video by Roddy Strong (Halloween) Groundskeeper Willie: Ach! Zombies! - Funniest Simpsons

Truly, this is the best way to sum up my current stream of readings:

youtube.com/shorts/WwIxA...

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 👻 🎃 🎮

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.

The 1950's Town still feels like the setting for a horror film through.

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.

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 ...

After posting my 'Top' 5 SOE videogames, here's the other end of the scale...

soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/10/09/5...

Away from the strenuous arena of academic study, Improv Comedy has been a great creative outlet. It's a great exercise in silliness; a real boost to confidence in public speaking; and a way to improve in listening, wittiness, and thinking outside of the box. #improv #comedy #afterschool #yesand

a group of people are dancing and one of them is wearing a dant sweatshirt ALT: a group of people are dancing and one of them is wearing a dant sweatshirt

Following the research tangent into Nordic Mythology, the current chapter reading has now slipped into the realm of the Gothic. Now I really do feel like a student in English Studies. Perfect for this stormy autumnal afternoon outside a medieval city. #gothic #literature #englishstudies

Very nearly changed a subtitle heading in my thesis to: "Putting the 'Ass' in Assassin: The Eroticisation of Female SOE Operatives in Digital Wargames" and now I am going to sit in the corner and think about what I've done. #tgif #accwri

It's been a year since I undertook a research trip to the #RoyalArmouriesMuseum in Leeds. It was enlightening to gain a tour of the stores and access a number of #SOE related firearms. Instrumental towards understanding material culture within videogames.
(Photos by author)

Currently Playing: Tomb Raider: Anniversary (2007) - a remake of the original Tomb Raider (1996). I've been delving into a trove of the academic literature on Lara Croft, and, as ever, it's proving pertinent to *play* the characters you're researching. (This version was cheaper on Steam!)

Working in a Postgraduate office where everyone is very polite and won't help themselves to the coffee I brew each morning. Invested in a big stack of post-its for a bit of gentle encouragement

#pgoffice #coffee #morningbrew

A Welrod silent pistol lays at the base of a display case of an SOE diorama at the Military Intelligence Museum. Photo by author.

Promotional image of Welrod silent pistol with x2 magazines. Sniper Elite 5 (Rebellion, 2022)

Screengrab by author of a Welrod at the start of 'Singapore Sling' in Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (EA, 2003)

Every time a Welrod pops up in a videogame it's an opportunity to engage in some SOE-style game play. A sinister and sleek assassination weapon, from its earliest depiction in Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (EA, 2003) it has enabled stealthy approaches and silent killing. #soe #videogames #phd

Screenshot by Author. Game menu map of Northern France showing regions divided into colours representing factions of control, disputed areas, and neutral areas.

Part of the challenge of Critical Game Studies is the proficiency of the researcher when playing the games. Some digital wargames can take me a week of casual play to complete. On other occasions I can get stuck on levels for days... Classified: France '44 currently proving tough as D-Day approaches

Turns out, not only can you pick up a 2026 Wall Planner from The Works, but there are some cracking books on '3 for £7.50'
#planning #academicyear #books #bookdeals #theworks

As an Historian turned Culture Studies researcher currently writing on Gender within Digital Wargames, this study looks even more pertinent.

#gamestudies #genderstudies

Top 5 SOE Videogames - THE SOE, COVERT ACTION, AND THE BRITISH CULTURAL IMAGINARY Russell Shanks chooses the best SOE-related games from the past 25 years Among the pantheon of Second World War videogames, special operations and covert action form a prominent subgenre. My research ...

Having reached the half-way mark of my PhD, it was about time to sit down and work out some of the best #SOE #videogames
Here's my contribution on the project blog:
soeandbritishculture.webspace.durham.ac.uk/2025/09/08/t...