About Mass Observation
The Mass Observation Archive preserves the papers of the original Mass Observation movement and current Mass Observation Project and makes them publicly available, as part of the University of Sussex’s Special Collections at the The Keep. Find out more about the history of Mass Observation, the team behind the archive and how to contact us.
The History of Mass Observation
‘Conversations and human behaviors recorded in real time – like a spiritual visit to those long gone but forever recalled.’ – Tom Hanks (yes, that Tom Hanks!)
The Archive is a result of the work of Mass Observation. This social research organisation was founded in 1937 and aimed to create an ‘anthropology of ourselves’. The team recruited a team of investigators and a panel of volunteer writers to study the everyday lives of ordinary people in Britain. This original work continued until the early 1950s.
Find out more about early MO and our related collections.
If you are interested in viewing the collection please head to our ‘visit‘ page.
Suzanne, Ellie and Kirsty at History Day
Mass Observation Today
The Mass Observation Project was launched in 1981. The project revived the early Mass Observation organisation idea of a national writing panel. Since it began, almost 4,500 people have volunteered to write for the Project. Many writers have written for us for many years. This means you can trace their changing thoughts, situations and opinions over years, if not decades!
There are currently over 500 people actively writing for the panel. They provide their thoughts on topics ranging from current events to the NHS, to clothes and personal appearance. We have some samples of what people send us here.
All our materials from 1981-2009 have been digitised. Do check with your local university to see if you have access to the resource. Alternatively, you can visit us and view the materials in person.
Think you might want to commission your own directive? Head to our research page.
‘the honesty, sensitivity and awareness provided by the observers of the MOP was both refreshing and unexpected. The data was inspiring and, at times, saddening. It covered issues from housing to relationships, from perceptions of tenure to societal structures. It embraced the difficulty of the subject matter and reflected discomfort that it is not often acknowledged. […] the results reflect an exciting and novel contribution to the housing debate’ – Rachael Lipscombe, PhD Candidate, Royal Agricultural University
View our current strategic plan.
Who We Are
Jessica Scantlebury
Mass Observation Archivist
As the Mass Observation Archivist, I am responsible for the care of all of Mass Observation’s collections in all formats. Much of my time is dedicated to opening up our collections to researchers, students, communities, and other interested parties through the management of cataloguing, preservation, and digitisation projects.
I work closely with the Mass Observation team to generate new material documenting life in the UK, through the 12th May diary project, Mass Observation Directives and related projects. I also oversee the acquisition of new material into the archive.
Kirsty Patrick
Research Manager
Kirsty’s role involves engaging, collaborating with, and supporting researchers in using Mass Observation. She leads on the generation of new qualitative material from Mass Observation’s national panel of volunteer writers, along with promoting and teaching on the inter-disciplinary use of this rich collection for understanding people’s everyday lives in Britain.
Kirsty joined MOA in 2011
Favourite collections include Animals and Humans (2009) and Everyday rituals, material and magic (2023)
Suzanne Rose
Engagement Manager
Suzanne’s role is all about engaging with the archive and making it inclusive and accessible to the broadest possible audiences. From teaching and learning sessions, community talks and visits, workshops, exhibitions, projects and events, she can mostly be found chatting about MOA and encouraging people to engage with the collection in some way.
She joined MOA in 2012.
Suzanne’s favourite boxes are Dear 16 year old me and Dogs in Wartime.
Kevin Bacon
Head of Heritage Collections and Mass Observation Archive
I joined the University of Sussex in 2023 after 20 years working in the museum sector. I manage the university’s heritage collections, which include the Mass Observation team and other colleagues responsible for the archives, artworks and ephemera managed by the library. I co-manage the Keep, the archive service where the Mass Observation collection is held, alongside our partners at East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.
Lottie Robinson
Assistant Library Officer
Lottie is an Assistant Library Officer and works part time for the Archive. Lottie helps to monitor the MO inbox, answering general queries and acknowledging Directive submissions as they come in. She also processes the responses helping to make them ready for research.
Lottie has worked for the Archive since 2019. Her favourite items are the Handwritten letters to Father Christmas and essays about a Christmas party part of Topic Collection 59 on Children and Education 1937-1952 and Mantelpieces and treasured objects
Ellie Turner-Kilburn
Assistant Archive Officer
Ellie helps anyone interested in accessing the archive and its materials. If you’re emailing the archive inbox, or sending us post, Ellie will be the one responding! She also oversees the archive’s website and social media, as well as onboarding new writers. She joined the archive in April 2023.
Her favourite item in the archive is this response to the ‘Gays and the Family’ directive.
Trustees, Volunteers and Placements
Trustees
Mr John Brewer
Dr Fiona Courage (chair)
Mr Simon Garfield
Ms Jane Harvell
Prof. Ben Highmore
Dr Michelle Johansen
Prof Claire Langhammer
Prof Lucy Noakes
Find out more about our trustees here.
Volunteers
We provide a variety of flexible volunteering options, which we always try and tailor to an individual’s interest and skill set.
Ella Beales
Ella is one of our long serving volunteers. During her time with Mass Observation she has assisted with cataloguing our collections, set up and run our social media accounts as well as helping with the running of events.
Ella started as a volunteer for MO from 2017-2019 and then became a paid member of staff on and off from 2019-2023, and is now back to being a volunteer. Her favourite collections are probably the Norman Longmate Collection, all of the Morale in the Second World War file reports, Loneliness and Belonging (Spring 2019 directive) and Kindness (Autumn 2021).
Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here.
Placements
We welcome students to join us on placement. These range from short term work experience and BA placements, to longer term MA placements. We also host placements for PHD students, or those wanting specific experience of working with archive collections.
Contact us with your enquiries and we’ll be happy to try and find a suitable opportunity.
Contact Us
The Mass Observation Archive is in the care of the University of Sussex’s Special Collections at The Keep.
Appointments to visit the Mass Observation Archive can be made via The Keep’s website.
Postal address
The Mass Observation Archive
University of Sussex
The Keep
Woollards Way
Brighton
BN1 9BP
Email: moa@sussex.ac.uk
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