Luke Heath
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Email
lh24039@essex.ac.uk -
Location
Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
I am a PhD student specialising in Cold War History, with a specific interest in the intersection of modern and new representation, and fabrications of the past in the form of interactive media - video games. My first interactions with the past was through popular, public media in the form of films, but also games. While gaming, and its audience has not been entirely omitted, it has been unappreciated for its capacity to influences millions of people daily. The world of gaming has never been more successful, and continuously grows year on year. That is what I intend to capitalize on within my work. I completed both my BA and MA at Christ Church University. There, I was given the environment and opportunity to find my passion for Cold War History. As of now, I am excited for the opportunity presented to me by the University of Essex to make this research my own in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Qualifications
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BA History Canterbury Christ Church University (2023)
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MA Modern History Canterbury Christ Church University (2024)
Research and professional activities
Thesis
Playing with the Past: The Role of Video Games in Shaping Cold War Memories and Anxieties
This research explores the role of video games in shaping public memories and perceptions of Cold War history, focusing on how these interactive media create and distort representations of past events. Using the Fallout series as a central case study, the thesis examines how games blend nostalgia, post-apocalyptic themes, and American nuclear anxieties to construct fictional worlds that resonate with real historical fears. Comparisons with other games, such as Metro, offer insights into how diff
Supervisor: Dr Matthew Grant
Research interests
Scientists Against the Atomic Bomb
This dissertation investigated the complex roles and ethical responsibilities of scientists involved in the development of nuclear weapons, particularly during and after World War II. By focusing on figures like Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and Edward Teller, it delved into how scientific innovation intersected with ethical dilemmas at the dawn of the nuclear age. Through a prosopographical approach, the study explored the personal and professional conflicts these scientists faced as they co
