In 2025, Samuel created a dissertation on the True Levellers/Diggers. It focused on making a proto-type board game to display the history and heritage of the Diggers. The dissertation aimed to use it to show how game-design affects the methods in which a historian conducts research. A print-and-play version of the game is coming soon for potential players to enjoy. 

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Abstract:

This dissertation aims to utilise game design methodologies to create a game proto-type representing 17th century print culture and radical Diggers movement. By presenting the period authentically, the board game will aim to encourage player historical empathy. The game performs two key roles: heritage tool and research practice. This project aims to test this method of history’s effectiveness in fostering historical empathy and to encouraging unique research practices. This dissertation examines the historical record and academic writing of the Diggers and 17th century print culture to create a proto-type board game. It playtests it with participants and gathers their feedback. This then integrates into the board game’s next proto-type creation. This cycle of creating, testing, and re-creating forms the dissertation’s main demonstration as a method for researchers to change their approach to creating history whilst showing that game design reveals unique historical research questions unique to this methodology.