In 2024, Samuel completed his undergraduate thesis titled, 'Tyne & Tweed: Playing the Rise and Fall of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers'. It won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Best Dissertation. The project researched the Anglo-Scottish border reivers and represented them as a game to act a public heritage tool. 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 create a model for simulation of the socio-economic dynamics of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers from the 14th-17th centuries using the medium of game. It also seeks to create this model based on solid historical research and examine the utility of game and re-enactment as a heritage tool. It aims to highlight how games provide a unique angle to public history which does not participate in the top-down model of historical education suggested by Raphael Samuel. After analysing the historical research behind the period, a prototype was created and used to explore the creation of a game with history in mind. The prototype was created with Multi-Agent Systems as a particular rubric for creating the game systems.​​