Bringing the past into the present through playing video games is among the exciting research projects that USC students will present at next week’s Australasian Conference of Undergraduate Research in Adelaide.

The ‘history through video games’ study is by Arts Honours student Hugh Hudson of Buderim, who is one of five USC students attending the conference at the University of Adelaide on 27-28 September.

Danielle Madden, Kylie McMahon, Samantha Rayner and Raymart Walker also were selected for the conference via a competitive process, with their topics ranging from koala health to overcoming shortness of breath.

Hugh said he was looking forward to presenting his research paper, ‘Old Worlds, New Histories: Engaging with History Through Video Games’, to a national audience.

“For the past couple of decades, historians have recognised that it’s difficult to be engaged in history unless you’re actively involved in it,” he said. “My research is based around the idea that video games can provide a uniquely powerful medium for history to be presented.

“Explanations of historical events in text present an unchanging, static account, whereas a dynamic media like video games allows people to experience the events directly and explore different narratives of history.

“This conference is a fantastic opportunity for me to put my findings in front of a wide range of researchers.”

The conference will feature presentations by undergraduate students, Honours and first-year Masters students of all disciplines from across Australasia, as well as keynote addresses and workshops on research issues.